Home on a Friday night

This doesn't happen often. So, since it has it's time to update this.

The next weekend (June 4) was spent in Poland. The trip was basically to see Auschwitz and Birkenau, not for sight-seeing. We flew in on the Friday and booked into the hostel after a little worrying time getting a ride from the airport. As with most major towns in Europe, the budget airlines do not fly into the town. Katowice is an hour and a half out of Krakow, and due to advice from my travel companions (Wes & Cara) we had not booked a transfer. So I just sat back while the two of them panicked about it. We made it to Krakow and our hostel eventually, so that was good. 

Being a Friday night, Wes and I headed down to the bar to have a quiet drink. Unfortunately, I under-estimated the strength of the cocktails....I don't remember how I got to bed. I do remember being woken at 7am....and I remember getting to Auschwitz. I also remember vowing to never drink again. 

Auschwitz is haunting. I recommend finding your own way there, and avoiding a tour. Same with Birkenau. 

Once we got back to Krakow, it was a short walk around the castle and then back to the hostel to watch the FA Cup final. Which wasn't on. A BBQ later (the hostel put it on) and while we were getting ready for a night of serious drinking, we over-heard that a few extra players were needed for a 11-a-side game down at the local park. So Wes and I tagged along and played a very un-expected game. I can now say I've played a game of football in Poland. We should have won, but some very bad defending (not by me) resulted in us losing the game. It was good fun anyway.

For the rest of the night, it was pretty quiet. Wes didn't get any sleep, and the phone call at 7am to make sure he knew we were walking to the bus to the airport was appreciated. We managed to get there in time, and got on the mini-bus (as they all are over there) to the Airport. 

All I will say is that the drainage on the streets of Krakow is non-existent. I don't think I've been more scared of having an accident short of actually being in one. Once we were outside Krakow it was fine, but while we were in there .... not fun. 

Still, got to the airport fine and got back alive. And really, that's all that matters.