16th- Today we didn´t do much. We got up and headed to the train station for the 3 hour train ride into Krakow. It was not air-conditioned and it was standing room only. There were so many other people that didn´t have seats that we couldn´t find a space to sit, even on the floor. We were very happy to get to our destination. The directions to our hostel were really bad, so we had trouble finding it. It was sooo nice to finally check in and dump our backpacks. On the way to the hostel, a huge lighting bolt hit the park across the street from where we were standing. Within minutes of getting into the building, a huge storm came through. Brave Joe went back out into the storm a little later to get us some soup, ham, and cheese to fix our dinner. We didn´t go back out that night.
17th-We started off today by visiting the old town.
There were lots of shops selling traditional Polish art. There were LOTS of amber jewelry as well. 
We browsed a bit before going to Wawel Castle. This was where the nobility and rulers of Poland lived until the capitol was moved to Warsaw. 
It was originally built in the early 16th century by King Sigismund 1 the Old. However, a fire, invasions, and neglect served to destroy much of the castle. Since then, it has been fully restored and is Poland´s top tourist draw. Be advised, get there early. There are only so many people that are allowed in per day. When we got there, the tickets for the state apartments were sold out for the day. Those who got there before us has to wait until the rest of the people in the apartments cleared out. We were content to visit the Oriental Museum (which had a wonderful if not small collection of Japanese and Chinese vases as well as Turkish rugs. We also went to the Dragon´s Den. Both of these are also part of the castle. The Dragon´s Den is based on the legend of Krakus (who the town was legendarily named for) and the Dragon. To read the legend, click here: http://www.heartofthedragonwales.org/ancient-new-mythology/krakus-and-smok-the-wawel-dragon 
Later on, we went to the Jewish Quarter.
On the way there, Joe was very sweet and bought me a rose. Unfortunately, I then accidently rubbed my eye. It started burning and swelled almost completely shut. We ran to the pharmacy and got eyewash and it started feeling a little better. Joe also noticed that after he touched the rose, he rubbed his neck and his neck started itching and burning. Obviously it was some chemical on the rose.
We then went a Polish Restraunt and had a salad and pierogi (baked dumplings) with lamb. It was very good. We walked back to the hostel just in time for the rain to start pouring again.
17th-We started off today by visiting the old town.
There were lots of shops selling traditional Polish art. There were LOTS of amber jewelry as well. We browsed a bit before going to Wawel Castle. This was where the nobility and rulers of Poland lived until the capitol was moved to Warsaw. It was originally built in the early 16th century by King Sigismund 1 the Old. However, a fire, invasions, and neglect served to destroy much of the castle. Since then, it has been fully restored and is Poland´s top tourist draw. Be advised, get there early. There are only so many people that are allowed in per day. When we got there, the tickets for the state apartments were sold out for the day. Those who got there before us has to wait until the rest of the people in the apartments cleared out. We were content to visit the Oriental Museum (which had a wonderful if not small collection of Japanese and Chinese vases as well as Turkish rugs. We also went to the Dragon´s Den. Both of these are also part of the castle. The Dragon´s Den is based on the legend of Krakus (who the town was legendarily named for) and the Dragon. To read the legend, click here: http://www.heartofthedragonwales.org/ancient-new-mythology/krakus-and-smok-the-wawel-dragon Later on, we went to the Jewish Quarter.
On the way there, Joe was very sweet and bought me a rose. Unfortunately, I then accidently rubbed my eye. It started burning and swelled almost completely shut. We ran to the pharmacy and got eyewash and it started feeling a little better. Joe also noticed that after he touched the rose, he rubbed his neck and his neck started itching and burning. Obviously it was some chemical on the rose.We then went a Polish Restraunt and had a salad and pierogi (baked dumplings) with lamb. It was very good. We walked back to the hostel just in time for the rain to start pouring again.
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