If you go to Europe, you need to see all the attractions that a place is famous for. I don’t disagree with doing “the tourist thing.” But then there are the other things. The daily minutiae that makes a place real. In August, I tried to document some of that in Warsaw, Krakow and Berlin. I took a few pics of their famous, pretty things, too. (Note: the photo layout in this WordPress theme sucks rocks. Sorry.) A special thanks goes to writer Chris James and his better half, Bożena: they made our time in Warsaw extra special. Also, Francis and I did visit Auschwitz and Birkenau when we were in Poland. I’m still processing. It’s not something I can easily put into words or photos, but I hope to try, if only because we must never forget.

























Lovely post, Laura, am so glad you and Francis enjoyed your trip. And funny you should point out the no-photo thing. Before you stayed with us, I’d made a mental note to get a shot with you before you became a world-famous author, but I think we were all chatting so much we just forgot – so next time we must remember!
Haa! Next time. xo
Thanks for sharing photos from your trip. I love this caption, “Literally our view at dinner. No photo retouching. Krakow is pretty.” I’d love to see Krakow someday and Berlin too. If I ever make it to a stint teaching English in Prague I’m sure I’ll make it to both locations.
What a perfectly great and perfect idea for you — teaching in Prague. I will start looking forward to the Christmas letters now.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures. Your comments add to the pictures! I love the little snails on the fence posts. Also love the pic of you in 1989 and replicating the same pose in 2017!
It took a bit to find that statue as it had been moved since ’89, but we cycled around with our tireless new friend Heide until she found it for me!
Thank goodness I hang onto my emails 😉 What great photos! But that juxtaposition of the medieval gate and McD’s … good grief … at least the yellow arches were relatively small.
Good grief is right. The old city of Krakow was one big juxtaposition. So many gorgeous buildings, but a couple of the streets have been turned into full-on shopping thoroughfares with chain-store retail locations, which I found odd.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Marie!