Day 14
It has been two weeks since I left for Poland with 10 other strangers that soon became friends. I am now back; on my own bed in my own house. What a journey this was…
The flights back seemed to go by faster than they did going over there but it has come to an end.
With all that and the current time…
I’m headed to bed.
The time has come, our last day here in Poland with a morning check-out tomorrow. Today will be used to accomplish any last minute items so I don’t see it being very eventful but still quite busy.
Spending the day indulging in the culture and food while taking in the final moments of my time here.
There was one thing I felt was missing… I contacted the student I have been conversing with for the last several weeks, Aleksandra. We went to a local restaurant she pointed out and we just sat there for hours talking before going our own separate ways. This is what I love about traveling to new countries. Having deep conversations with the wonderful people I meet.
This day gave me time to reflect on everything we’ve seen and experienced over the past two weeks. From the historical cities and emotional memorials to the quiet parks and unexpected moments of connection, this trip offered more than just sightseeing. Now, as we prepare to head home, I feel a mix of gratitude, reflection, and a little sadness to leave but at the same time, I know its time…
In the morning, we visited the Old Jewish Cemetery in Wrocław, a quiet and deeply moving place filled with weathered tombstones and overgrown paths. The cemetery serves not only as a burial site but as a historical record of the once-thriving Jewish community in the city. Walking through the grounds, it was easy to sense the weight of memory and the passage of time. The layered inscriptions and symbolic carvings told stories of lives lived, interrupted, and remembered, making the visit both educational and emotionally grounding. Today was also the day we finally met out Polish counterpart students, although there was not much time for pleasantries, unfortunately.
After lunch, we made our way to the Four Domes Pavilion, home to a striking collection of modern and contemporary art. The contrast between the morning’s somber reflections and the bold, often abstract pieces in the afternoon was sharp but meaningful. The art invited interpretation and curiosity, offering a very different but valuable form of cultural engagement. This visit marked the last of our scheduled tours on the trip, and it felt fitting to end with something that pointed toward the present and future, after so many days focused on the past.
I took a break from the group tour and stayed back to rest and reflect. Even though I spent the day on my own, I still felt connected to the group I’ve been traveling with. Sharing experiences, meals, and conversations over the past days has created a sense of familiarity and camaraderie. At the same time, being in Poland—meeting locals, hearing their stories, and learning about the country’s history—has made me feel more aware of the communities we’ve encountered. Even brief interactions have added a layer of connection beyond just being a visitor. Taking a step back today helped me appreciate both the group I’m traveling with and the people we’ve met along the way.
Today was our first in-depth look at this stunning city. We took a walking tour through Wrocław’s Old Town and the surrounding area, which offered a charming mix of Gothic, Baroque, and modern architecture. The Market Square stood out with its colorful facades and the impressive Old Town Hall, while nearby churches and bridges gave the city a distinct, layered character shaped by centuries of change. One of the more unique aspects of Wrocław is its collection of over 600 small bronze gnome statues hidden all around the city. Spotting them became a fun side activity during the tour, adding a bit of whimsy to the historical surroundings.
In certain moments, time felt both still and in motion. It was late afternoon, and the light was softer, casting shadows across the streets and buildings. People were sitting outside at cafés, walking through the square, or pausing to take photos of the gnomes scattered around. It wasn’t a busy or rushed feeling—just a normal part of the day that gave a clear sense of place. Being there made me more aware of the time of day and how the city moves through it. Wrocław has a calm rhythm that makes you stop and take things in without feeling like you have to rush.
We are moving on today, leaving Krakow and heading towards Wroclaw, by train once more. It was a smooth ride but got a lot more exciting when we found out about the soccer Conference Finals being played tomorrow night and hordes of soccer fans boarded the train, chanting and cheering. Obviously, most of my group wend ahead and purchased tickets, I did not, however.
After getting to Wroclaw and checking into our hotel, we decided to take a walk through the old town. While out, we encountered hundreds of soccer fans in the town market, it seemed like a festival with games, photo opportunities and merchandise, truly a sight to see.
We saw much of the city… But I’ll save that for tomorrow’s update.
Today was the day. I took a trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau, spending most of the day walking through and hearing about the horrific tragedy that took place here. We spent close to 4 hours touring both the concentration and extermination camps and I would be lying if I said it didn’t have an impact.
I’ll spare you with the details, many of which I had no idea about before today.
What struck me most was how the site functions not just as a preserved piece of history, but as a place of remembrance. Every building, artifact, and pathway felt heavy with memory—bearing silent witness to the lives lost and the cruelty endured. The experience wasn’t just about learning facts; it was about confronting the reality of what happened and honoring those who suffered. Auschwitz is a reminder of what unchecked hatred can lead to, and why memory matters. Visiting this place isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. It calls on all of us not just to remember, but to carry that memory forward with purpose…
I decided to take it easy today. After all the walking we have been doing, my leg couldn’t take much more so I figured being a week into the trip, it was a good day for some R&R.
I did manage to go out and stretch my legs a bit this evening; taking in the architecture and eating some good food.
Hopefully I’ll have more exciting things to report on in future posts… But I don’t think tomorrow will be the day based on where we’re headed…
Stay tuned…
Today was by far, the longest we have had and will probably have for the duration of this trip. With that being said, it was still amazing with two tours back-to-back, covering both the old town and the Jewish district. The tour gave us a good overview of the city’s history and layout, from medieval landmarks to sites tied to World War II. We ended the tour at the area that was once the Jewish Ghetto, which added a more somber and reflective tone to the day. It was a meaningful way to begin exploring the city and understanding its complex past.
Kraków’s historical architecture stands out for its remarkable preservation and continuity, especially when compared to Warsaw. While much of Warsaw was destroyed during World War II and later rebuilt, Kraków remained largely untouched, allowing its original structures to survive. Walking through the city, you see centuries of architecture layered together, from the medieval layout of the Old Town and the Gothic towers of St. Mary’s Basilica to Renaissance courtyards and Baroque churches. This intact historical landscape gives Kraków a very different feel, more cohesive, older, and more atmospheric. The contrast with Warsaw is clear; where Warsaw tells a story of rebuilding and resilience, Kraków feels like stepping directly into the past.
The tour took the entire day (~7 hours) so you could imagine the exhaustion I was feeling. I proceeded to take the 40 minute scenic river walk back to the hotel.
Not sure what tomorrow will bring…
Today marks our transition from Warsaw to Kraków, as we boarded a train for the journey south. The ride itself was uneventful, but it gave me time to reflect on everything Warsaw had offered, its layered history, resilient spirit, and unexpected moments of tranquility in green spaces and quiet corners. As the scenery shifted outside the window, so did my mindset. I felt a sense of closure and knew it was time to leave Warsaw, paired with growing anticipation for what Kraków might reveal.
A new city awaited.
