Wroclaw

I was headed to Wrocław.  Now, before I get started, let’s work on our pronunciation of the city’s name…aim for, “Vrots-Wav”, & people won’t laugh at you when you say it.

I just wasn’t finished with Poland.  Thank goodness I wasn’t making plans too far in advance & I was learning that because it was low season, hotels or Airbnb’s were cheaper with less lead time booking them.  I had viewed some Instagram posted about Wrocław, which looked incredible & Whitney had also mentioned going there, so I booked a hotel apartment for six days & off I went on the train.

I had a bit of trouble navigating the train station & asked a couple of people for help, but no one seemed to know either, until a nice woman walked up & asked me where I was going & if I needed direction.  I guess she saw the look of panic on my face & performed her random-act-of-kindness of the day.  She happened to be going to Wrocław as well, so I tagged along after her, making another friend easily.  Jadzia, was from Krakow & a business analyst for a tech company, going to Wrocław for a meeting & headed back the same day.  We talked the entire trip, which took about three hours, exchanging social info & hugs on departure.

I was apprehensive pulling into Wrocław train station. How would this compare to krakow? I mean, I absolutely fell in love with the big K, I hope I wasn’t building Wrocław into something it wasn’t & be disappointed.

Once Jadzia went on her way, I called an Uber. The driver was a young boy that looked stereotypical polish…dirty blonde, chiseled cheek bones, lean like jerky, & a twitchiness to his movements that made it seemed as if he was head shy…like a traumatized pony. He never uttered a sound. The graffiti covered buildings reminded me I was indeed in Eastern Europe & the boy coaxed his junky auto across the bumpy cobblestones towards my hotel.  Once properly checked in,  as I booked an actual hotel this time, I marvelled over my 5th floor room. It was modern & I loved it. I had upgraded to a room with a balcony which made me clap my hands together in glee. The balcony looked out over the courtyard, not much of a view to be honest, but I loved it.

Even tho I was a bit Bla from the three hour train ride, I quickly got settled & headed out to locate the main square. A brisk 7 minute walk & I had to consciously close my mouth as it sat agape, mesmerized by the stunning colourful gothic façade of the buildings surrounding old town square.

Bustling with people, I quickly fell into step & walked around just taking it all in. Restaurant after restaurant after restaurant…I had to decide where to eat. I had only eaten an apple for breakfast earlier that morning, so I was pretty ravished and I realized that I was playing that old game I play with myself whenever I get really hungry, and have gone without food for quite an extended period of time. Finding something to eat becomes, a neurotic obsession. It can’t be just any old place, the place has to be perfect and the food has to be excellent. I feel like I want to put something healthy inside since my body is depleted…I need actual NOURISHMENT. But how was I to choose? I stopped and read the menus at each restaurant that I passed by and while each one was inviting, I just couldn’t pick. I kept walking, hoping for some sort of revelation, but in the end it wouldn’t matter which place I finally stopped into,  it would never be good enough. This is just one of the little idiosyncrasies of Laurie.

Finally, giving up & just picking anything…& finishing consuming my mediocre snack, I continued to mill around a bit just to get a feel for the area. When I decided to plug my hotel back into my GPS and find my way home, I realized that I was walking through deserted dark streets that gave me the willies. Everything that I had read about Wroclaw said that it was very safe, but I was no dummy either. Walking through a park in the absolute pitch, black without any sort of street lamp to illuminate my pathway, made me hustle, and by the time I reached my room I was panting.  I said a little prayer of thanks to my guardian angel, got on my jammies and watched the final episode of Hannibal on my iPad before turning in.

Day one Wroclaw in the books!