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Sherlock's Genealogical Adventures

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Kraków

Poland Traditions & Interest

Tim Firkowski

Monday, 10 August 2015

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Wawel CastleBecause we returned home late last night from Żarki and it was Sunday, everyone slept in late, except for me, I still woke up at 5:30 am. That was OK, because it gave me some time to work on my blog posts. In order to keep on blog posts about the only time I have to write is early in the morning, but I do try to do some writing at every chance that I get.

After doing some small grocery shopping, we stayed inside to keep out of the heat. Lukasz, Ania & Kuba arrived for lunch and we enjoyed some bigos, chicken, mashed potatoes with dill and cucumber salad. Maria makes some wonderful Polish meals! I have always enjoyed her cooking. Yes, I do have more food photos for you.

Bigos, Chicken, Mashed Potatoes with Dill and Cucumber SaladLater in the afternoon Łukasz, Ania, Kuba and I went to Wawel Castle in Krakow and met some of our other cousins (Gosia & Kasia Ciuk). It just so happened that at the same time I was in Poland, Kasia was visiting from England with her two daughters. It has been a long time since we last saw each other, which was 4 years ago and it was wonderful to be together again.

I have walked all around Wawel Castle a number of times but this time we took one of the boats that go on the Wisła River. With the heat and 3 small children we thought is was better to enjoy a ride. This gave me the opportunity to see a different view of Wawel Castle and other scenic items along the river.

HELLO GOSIA! Long time, no see!Church of St Michael the Archangel is one of the interesting places you will see along the way traveling by boat along the Wisła River

After our boat ride we took a relaxing walk to Rynek Główny (Main Market) in Stare Miasto (Old Town). The Main Market is one of the most famous places in Poland. Centuries ago it was the Capital of Poland and was a major trading point. Today the same building used for trading cloth still exists. Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) is now used as a place to buy pamiąki (souveniers).

Before we stopped for some ice cream we took a walk around the Market Square. Kościoł Mariacki (St. Mary's Church) is a landmark in Kraków.

Church of St Michael the ArchangelAfter finishing our wandering we stopped for some ice cream and I took the opportunity to buy some flowers for my harem.

It was a short visit and Kasia will return home before I will be in the area again, but I will get to see Gosia and her family again before I leave Poland. I look forward to meeting the family.

Just a FYI for those that do not know Kraków is not pronounced (Cra - cow), in Polish it is prounounced (Krah-koov)

I must tell you that there is a lot more to see in Kraków. I only had time to visit these places and although I have been to many other places in Kraków, there is still much that I have not seen. If you come to Poland, one of the places you must visit is Kraków

Tomorrow will be a trip to Zakopane.

My Harem

Sukiennice (Cloth Hall)

Kościoł Mariacki (St. Mary's Church)

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About the author

Tim Firkowski

I have been doing genealogy research since 2002 & have worked full time as a Professional Genealogist since 2008. I specialize in Polish and American-Canadian Genealogy. As a member of APG, I was the 2010/2011 President of the New England Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (NEAPG). I have Certificates of Completion for studies in "Foundations of Forensic Genealogy" and "Advanced Forensic Genealogy Techniques". I have been a volunteer librarian at the local Family History Center, and a genealogy research consultant at “Ask the Expert” Ancestry Road Shows. I have traveled to Poland numerous times & researched in churches and archives. At conferences and special events, you may find me dressed up in my Sherlock Holmes outfit, or my Kujawy (the folk costume from the region in Poland where my ancestors came from).