An eclectic birthday in Krakow

Talk about David's birthday being different:  the day started with a tour of the salt mines and ended with a classical piano concert....not your usual cake and ice cream kind of day, huh?
The Salt mines ( Soli w Wieliczce) are something else to see!   A whole world carved out of mountains of salt: small rooms, chapels ( so the miners could attend services), detailed scenes and figures carved from salt: everything from Snow White and the seven dwarfs to saints to historic figures.  Tour guide led us down, down, down 360 steps ( wide, wooden and not slippery) ..it's gets cooler as you descend and the humidity is kept < 60% to preserve the carvings.  Of course, there was a story to be told at each alcove...nowadays, the mine is only worked to maintain the structure and make repairs; people still have banquets and group activities in the salt mines; one room was all set up for a dinner party.( picture Thanksgiving dinner in the mines, hmmmmm).   Even when the mine was active, it was popular to tour the mines.  And, there was a bar and bar stools made of salt ( yes,I got a barstool with a back), but the bartender must have been turned into stone...David had to wait til later for his birthday toast.  The miners felt fortunate to have these jobs as they were given special privileges.  Fortunately, we did not have to ascend the stairs; there were 2 small elevators that held about 8 people each ...  looked about 100 years old...bit of a rickety ride up, but it sure beats walking UP....I asked about the cute figures and carvings for sale ( that is: won't they crumble when we get them home?) and the guide said "You have to keep them at certain humidity or it would turn to a pile of salt"--so, these beautiful lamps would just have a cord dangling from them.....needless to say, we skipped the momentos. 
The area around the mine was nicely landscaped, with paths to stroll.  
Mini bus took us back to Old Town just in time for lunch..found a cute local bistro with an enclosed patio, so it felt like eating outdoors.
Strolled back to the castle grounds and paths along the river, ambled a bit, stopped for a birthday vino at a lovely inn; we bought tickets and, later, we attended a piano concert in SS Peter and Paul Church (pietro y pawla)--circa 1668 structure with imported marble and a miraculous painting ..lovely setting for such beautiful music: Chopin mostly and a gorgeous rendition of Mendolsson's Wedding March ( never heard it played like that at  "our" weddings...soooo pretty!).  Pianist was so fluid and "into" the music....wonderful way to end David's special day! 
( PS  : we had a moment of meditation for "our" Peter and Paul...you probably felt it all  they way in Buffalo:) 

If I have any "PS's" I'll add them later, so check in again if you still haven't had enough of the latest travel adventures...