Zakopane

Sorry I fell so far behind everyone. Between wifi issues, all our adventures, and eventually having my computer die on me there was just no time to get these posts up. So, even though I am officially back in the States now I will go through my weeks with you. Hopefully you still enjoy my adventures!!

Saturday/Sunday

We ended up spending a wonderful and relaxing weekend in the mountains of Zakopane. We had tours in the morning both Saturday and Sunday, but our afternoons were delightfully free.

Saturday's tour took us up into the mountains above Zakopane. The views during our drive were amazing!

We ended up in a small town an hour or so into the mountains. All of the houses here were made out of giant tree logs! Our tour guide told us that almost all these homes were from the 1800s, even though they looked shiny and brand new. He let us know the reason that the houses were in such good shape... you won't believe this. Every year the women in the village HAND scrub the whole house, getting rid of any grim or build up on it. The men do not participate or help in this hard labor, it is considered a woman's job. So sexist! You can very well believe all of us girls on the trip were no too happy about that statement.

       

   
We got to wonder around the village and see the traditional Polish mountain sites (We even saw a chicken wondering the side of the road). While there we were brought to the cottage of the best wood worker in the region. We were able to see him carving little statues and boxes. Everything was extremely intricately detailed and beautiful. Of course we all ended up buying something after that. He must have really loved Americans that day!

After our sojourn around the mountain village/town we got back on our mini bus and drove to another section of the mountain. Here we were shown two old chapels. The first we came across was the oldest in the region, and completely made of wood. It smelled heavenly inside!

        

   

Outside this chapel was one of the oldest Catholic cemeteries in Poland. We were able to walk through it and were told about some of the famous Poles who were buried there. The cemetery was very unique in its set up. Every grave was intricately designed, had plant life growing around it, and all had candles lit on them. It was actually a very pretty area.

 
 

The second chapel was also almost completely made of wood. Though this one did have some stone aspects. It was a tiny bit newer than the first and built upon a hill. We were lucky in that when we arrived there was a baptism going on inside. So as we waited people in traditional garb we coming out. It was very interesting to see the men and women dressed in this old style of clothing. 

                                                                   

           

 

Once all the exploring was over we took the long way back to Zakopane. This way were able to see all the famous ski slopes and what Zakopane is truly famous for, its winter sports.

That afternoon we were free to explore, explore, shop, and explore some more.

The next morning we had to get up early and check out of our wonderful hotel :(

However, it was okay because we then took a detour to our way back to Warsaw and had a rafting trip on the Dunajec river. IT was about an hour long peaceful ride through the Polish mountainside. Our large raft was again, completely made of wood, and we had to guys steering. One in the front and one in the back. Both had huge sticks that they would push against the river bed with to push us along when the current couldn't, very much like a Gondola from Venice. During our ride we were told a lot about the history of the region. We even technically crossed the Slovakian border! SO guess I went to two countries on this trip.

       

  
The rest of our day after this delightful boat ride was stuck in a bus. We did not arrive in Warsaw till almost 10pm. We even ate lunch in a gas station parking lot! It was a very long day to say the least.