A post I began......

A sunny afternoon out my window

View out the window looking at once of the other dorm buildings

(note: this post was written on March 19, I just needed to add some more photos!)

The afternoon turned out sunny! Went to a Polish language class today which was fun, and had just one other class. Had an ice cream party this evening with some of the Americans and Lorena (from Mexico) - Rochelle fried some tortillas and put cinnamon sugar, ice cream, honey and strawberries on them. Very yummy!

Prague was wonderful. We had such warm weather, and the city is beautiful. Went on a bike tour and saw Frank Gehry's Fred and Ginger Dancing building, the John Lennon wall and much more. Also walked around the castle and through the Letna gardens - on a bit of a hill overlooking the city. Would highly recommend visiting Prague.

The Charles Bridge, getting busier as the day wears on -
later we literally had to people-dodge to get through!

The view from Letna Gardens 

The Dancing Building

Take a look at that big baby! They've got some interesting artwork around Prague

 

A small section of the John Lennon wall

The streets we took on by bike

Prague's main square

The astronomical clock - characters pop out of the
 windows on the hour

Today (April 2nd), as I write, I'm listening to a church gathering (I think) outside the dorms. Lots of lovely singing and music. I think it has something to do with Pope John Paul II, as one side of our dorm is lit up in a cross pattern (made by the lights in the rooms - so there are quite a few people sitting in darkness) and I was told it had something to do with him. Anyway, I think it's quite an achievement to get a whole building (well, half a building as it's not on my side) to cooperate to make something that's somewhat like art-like.

Cześć, Fiona

The Easter market with all its colourful decoration

Had a lovely - if cold weekend. 

Saturday was spent exploring the Rynek Underground museum, literally underneath the Cloth Hall in the middle of the Main Square. It shows the results of recent (2005) excavation that discovered remains of the city from medieval times when the level of the ground was 4m lower than it is now. Also had a lot of information about the medieval life in Krakow. In the evening, Dejana and I went to a play called 'Hommage a Chagall', which was about Chagall's (an artist) life. It didn't contain any speaking, but even so it was hard to follow! The effects, costumes and music were great, and the actors wore masks, which were also quite comical, but it meant that there was no communication through facial expression. Quite interesting and abstract, but a good way to spend an evening.

Woke up early (well, 8:30!) to go to the markets in Kazimierz - different markets from Friday, this time with lots of clothing, shoes, jewellery, perfume etc. A lot of the clothes were secondhand, and there were sooo many of them! Then went to the main square to have a look at the Easter market. As it was Sunday, there was a parade with lots of music and singing which ended at a stage where there was entertainment for the rest of the time we were there. Lots of beautiful wares at the market - and good food! Tried traditional sheep's cheese smoked and warmed on a grill and served with a raspberry sauce, as well as Polish potato pancakes and cabbage rolls (similar to Serbian sarma, but I prefer sarma!).

Oh, and it began snowing Saturday night, there was a little that had settled on trees and the grass in the morning, but most melted within half an hour. The weather during the day alternated between bright sun with blue skies and grey clouds with swirling snow, and it was very cold!

Cześć, Fiona

The beginning of the parade in front of the Cloth Hall

The parade winding its way through the market