Warsaw and Krakow,

My first time in an eastern bloc country while I’m Europe has opened my eyes a little bit more to the past as well as what’s happening in other parts of the world.

Warsaw’s an amazing place with mixtures of old and new architecture throughout. Walking through the city you see many of the old communist buildings: large, gray, symmetrical and depressing. However, entering the Old town brings you back in time hundreds of years although its only been recently built since its destruction in the war.
Krakow although smaller was much prettier and more enjoyable to wander through. Large courtyards and markets to let you snack on Polish treats. Being in Poland has also allowed me to almost beable to go up a notch on my belt! Meals consisted of many traditional dishes, from perogies and sausages to a sour rye based soup called zurek, or white “borscht”. Most of which is cooked in a large amount of lard! Mmm just like grandma used to make, sticks to your bones and soul!

I was also able to make it to the death camp Auschwitz: the final resting place of over one million people. This is an eye opening experience and left a bigger impact than the Dachau camp, which I’ve visited on this trip. The true horrors can not be explained through words but by visiting the site itself.

Dustin Lesmeister