Krakow's Old Town

On the second day of my visit to Krakow I planned to spend my day in Sowiniec Forest but before I managed to get a bus a powerful thunderstorm broke out. I decided to wait it out in a bar sipping lemonade and watching the lighting flashes over the city. Since the weather forecast was unsure I decided to head for the old town. On my way I noticed gorgeous blooming hawthorn trees. They were all covered in shiny drops of water fresh from the pour down few minutes before.

To get to the trams I walked through a very pretty underground passage decorated with tiles and round lights. Although it might not be the most beautiful thing about Krakow I had to take a picture. The play of light and dark was just too good.

I got off the tram and headed towards the market square. It began raining again and I was just beside a café I have not visited before. I stopped for a pot of a very tasty green tea. My time was enhanced by a song of a little bird that was perched inside its cage inside the café. I am going to come there again next time I visit.

The amount of really nice bars, pubs cafés and shops is one of the things I really like about Krakow. Many places in addition to serve the tea also have some for sale. I picked up a packet to take home with me. It finally stopped raining and I went for a walk around the Market Square visiting my favourite tea and coffee shops and admiring the picturesque scenery including horse carriages.

I was lucky enough to hear St Mary's Trumpet Call. It's a tradition dating back to fourteenth century CE. The melody is played in four directions but ends abruptly. The legend has it that the trumpeter played the tune to warn the city of Mongol invasion. The city gates were closed on time but an arrow struck the musician before he had a chance to finish the tune. The tune is played from the top of St Mary's church every hour of the day and if you are lucky you may see a shining trumpet in one of the windows of the church tower.

After enjoying the day in Krakow's Old Town I headed back to my neighbours house. I stopped to look at Wawel Castle illuminated by the setting sun on my way home. It looked the most amazing I remember to ever see it. I will definitely visit again. It is my home town after all.