Things I Have Done Around Krakow

Other than the typical touristy pursuits, I have availed myself of the opportunities that Krakow has to offer and have attended various events while living here. What follows is a list of them in chronological order:

• Attended the cinema and saw Babel.
• Attended a harpsichord and organ concert at St. Marcina XXVII Church.
• Attended a jazz concert at Harris Piano Jazz Bar.
• Attended a baptism at my Church.
• Attended three weddings of different co-workers.
• Attended a reception held by the American Consul General Kenneth Fairfax on the occasion of the 230th Anniversary of the U.S.A. Mr. Fairfax took the time to eat at our table.
• Classical Music Concerts. Almost every week there are performances in three of the oldest churches in the city center. I have attended a total of 5 of them including: A. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, A. Mozart, and J.S. Bach and Friends. They are quartets and quintets that sound marvelous with the acoustics of these old churches.
• Went bowling.
• Took a 15 mile bike hike over the hills and through the woods. Was sore for 3 days.
• Gone dancing.
• Took a 15 mile day hike up past Kosciusko Mound to the Krakow Zoo and back home again.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Karaoke on numerous occasions. The play list contains as many American and British songs as you see in the States.
• 
  
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Heard The Chamber Singers of Valdosta State University. (See below for more.)
• Attended an organ recital at the Academy of Music.
• Played billiards.
• Played paintball at a real army training center. This took place one evening in May with a dozen guys including one pyrotechnic hobbyist. We were given camouflage overalls, a helmet with face shield, one gun and 4500 paintballs for the group. The first field of battle was a man-made series of huts and walls on a couple of acres. But the highlight was the second arena, a hold-out from the Communist era. Picture a bombed-out village or a police firearms training center like what was in “Dirt Harry”. Just one and two story buildings made of concrete. No windows and lots of burn marks. Now add the noise and light from the group’s “pyro” and the adrenalin gets to pumping. We played several different types of war games including a Capture the Flag activity. And just as the last of daylight was fading (about 9:30 p.m.up here) we had a final every man for himself shootout. And as luck would have it, or is it skill, I was the last man standing as my ammo lasted the longest. But much worse than the occasional sting of the paint balls were some of the most vicious mosquitoes I have ever encountered. Worse than a night camping along Sardis Lake in Mississippi. Regardless of those types of welts we all agreed that it was a great night.
• Attended a performance by a Swedish choir named “Voces”. On the weekend that the Pope was here I attended a concert by this group in a beautiful Franciscan church built in the 1800s. The performance was a celebration of the life of Fr. Maximillian Kolbergo, the priest who, while at Auschwitz, exchanged his life for the one of a Jewish man who was to be executed. I had visited this church before and was astounded by its beautiful altar and extensive gold leaf. But the sound this choir made was enhanced by the acoustics of the magnificent nave and I just could not believe my ears.
• Went to Mass with the Pope. (See below.)
• Took a six hour train ride to the north of Poland:

Things That Are Different Here

This is a list of observed differences between Europe and the U.S. I do not editorialize on them, just list them.

• Dry cleaner tags are stapled on to places like the piece of pocket that is inside of the pants or to the collar tag on the shirts. The staples have a unique shape that allows them to be removed with your fingers.
• Workmen and workwomen, e.g.: street cleaners, building supers, construction workers, where overalls.
• They clean the glass panes in the streetlights in the public parks.
• They cut the grass in the public parks, rake the grass and leaves, and dispose of it.
• They don't starch mens' shirts. My salesperson at Joseph A. Banks in Memphis said that starched dress shirts is an American thing.
• In newer hotels, one must place your room key card in a slot on the wall to turn the electricity on.
• Building floors are numbered differently. First floor in the U.S. is zero or main floor here. Second floor in the U.S. is the first floor here.
• Copier and printer paper is taller and narrower. 8.3" x 11.7".
• They use 2 hole punch paper not 3.
• They don't use file folders to store paperwork.
• Time is in 24 hour or military time. No a.m. or p.m.
• Restaurant napkins often are as thin as tissue paper.
• Diet drinks are called "lite".
• Name Day takes the place of birthdays for older people. Each day on a Polish calendar has the name(s) of people on them. Most everyone is named after one of these people. When this day comes around they celebrate their name day by sharing food or candy.
• You have to ask for ketchup w/ your French fries and often have to pay for it. Even in McDonalds. (Not that I go there, of course.)
• You pay your restaurant tip in cash%