Just a quick commentary on Eurocup, which is co hosted by Poland and the Ukraine at the moment. So many jerseys in the streets, especially the red and white of the Polish football team. Every bar or pub you pass has the game on, everyone watches at least one of the games each night... Even though we're just in the round robin (and will be for another ten days or so), the games are life or death. It is awesome to see the entire continent's passion for the same gam...

Last day in Krakow. Night train to Prague tonight! We wish we had more time here. It's a beautiful city with a lot of history, and the Poles are an honest, hard working people. Plus, the food and drink are tasty and cheap. Met up with Natasha, our kiwi friend who we've run into all across central and eastern Europe. Went to the Oskar Schindler Museum in the former offices of his factory. They have a solid museum dedicated to the occupation of Poland, with a fo...

Tough day today. Auschwitz. In normal museums, displays and information overwhelms you. In Auschwitz I, and Auschwitz II (Birkenau), death overwhelms you. It hangs heavy in the air. You can breathe it. You can feel it on your shoulders. You can feel it sink into your bones. They say that there aren't any birds in Auschwitz. While that's not quite true, there aren't many of them for the size of the place, and they behave much differently than is ordinary, as i...

Very full day today. Got into Krakow at 7 or so, almost immediately bought our tickets for Prague. A bit nor expensive than usual, due to it being another sleeper train and the fact that Poland isn't covered by the Eurail pass. Poland is fairly busy and excited at the moment, owing to its co hosting of the Eurocup. Viewed the Old Town, with highlights including St Mary's Basilica (containing Poland's famed Veit Stoss altar), the Town Hall Tower, and the Cloth Ha...