Moving South

Few more thoughts on Villnius, Lithuania before we travel on to Poland...
Villnius seems more affluent..people well-dressed, upscale shops across the square from the Old Town..and some lovely buildings ( mix of Art Nouveau and Baroque).  One church ( catholic looked very plain from the outside...hmmmm why are we bothering with this one? ) Then, inside was all bas relief walls- very intricate designs carved into the walls and all white!  so pretty..
English is not widely spoken or understood...so lots of gestures.  So far, I have been able to avoid any wayward hand signs that could spell trouble...Visa and a little smile go a long way:)  Local artisans have some really pretty crafts:  they grow flax and make linen items....lots of linen tableware etc, purses, and clothing.
Not sure who gets the $$, but the 'wc's' all require local money....gotta time your potty breaks to coincide with the exchange bureau so you have lita or whatever you need ( remember way back, we had pay toilets in US..it cost .10).

Food:  local beer; all wine is imported as the climate does not support grape-growing...but the prices for wine are very fair....foodwise:  lots of sausage, ham, cheese ( made in LIthuania..and some exported to US...that was surprising).  Some cute restaurants with alcoves and outdoor seating/umbrellas ( of course we're inside...my family won't even eat outdoors in summer...too close to nature, I guess).  Breakfast buffets have been pretty hearty.....hopefully, all the walking and stair-climbing will balance out all the hearty food!

So, on the bus ride from Lithuania to Poland ( about 7 hours), we were stopped by the polizia ( bit scarey after hearing all the tour guide's stories of Russian occupation and how easily people disappeared...remember, they've only gained independence since 1991).  So, the driver scurried around pulling out papers and permits...seemed a bit nervous...sat for about a half hour...then, he was given his clearance to go on ( this was not even at the border, just along the route)..guess they're always looking to make money and find a bus or truck without proper paperwork or with some faulty- sometimes made-up- safety issue....so three cheers for our bus driver!
In Warsaw now:  hotel is right across from gorgeous mall--very modern with glass and steel design and several stories...top is atrium....grocery store is on lower level.....fun to stroll around...the mall connects to the train station- how handy!
So the tour guide walked over with several of us to check train tickets and some others who were buying tickets...line was very long, so we got general info about where to board etc ( cause we already have tickets) at the information desk........Later, lo and behold, 2 travel buddies said they tried to buy tickets for the train we were taking the next day at 10:00 and they said 'there is no train at 10:00'.....so after dinner, we trekked back ( guide in tow) and sure enough, they had cancelled our train.....( next one was about 1 1/2 hours. later..we would have wasted 2 hours at rr station).  so we were able to change reservation for a fee ( about $9 per person).....must be a new money making scheme:  cancel the train and pay to get on another earlier one.....hard to argue with rr personnel speaking in halting English...anyway, all's well that ends well.  Hopefully, tomorrow, we'll be in Krakow bright and early ( they call it the Boston of Poland..can't wait).

After a day of 'bussing', I was able to enjoy the spa here:  dim lighting, relaxed atmosphere, hot tub, sauna and gym...ahhhh!  I had the place to myself around 9:00 last night.....
this morning we will have a tour of Old Town ( yes- another World Heritage site)....part of it by bus, part on foot...gotta see if they have those pretty cobblestone streets and alleys....most of the Old Towns that are listed as World Heritage sites get that status either because they survived the war and are so well preserved or because they reconstructed the sites in such an authentic manner.....it's just  so amazing to see some buildings that are hundreds of years old ( the oldest one was a church that was 700 years old!!!  They sure built them to last!).

In case I don't get a chance to update in Krakow ( never know how the hotel business ctr will be), I read about the salt mines..several people in our group had been there and just raved!  It wasn't on 'Jan's Plan' but I think we'll try to squeeze it in...It is listed as one of the 10 best museums/attractions in the world ( does that beat a World Heritage Site?)....and we'll check out a gorgeous castle.....Town Square is trhe largest Medieval square in Europe....supposed to be great for people-watching and soaking up the local flavor.

a few words about the 'group' and then I'll leave you....we have everything from 'Texas long horn sweatshirts' to Southern Belle head-to-toe perfect.....it's mostly an older crowd, of course ( imagine us as the youngsters!) ..there's one couple from CA , about our age, that we've been hanging out with at dinner..lots of interesting travel stories ....and a young couple ( she's 6 months pregnant)- not sure where they're from; they kinda keep to themselves.  And, 2 older men from the Villages in Florida ( hey, Kath, your fellow Villagers are scooting around Europe!).....Tour guide is lively and probably mid 30's..very pleasant and well-spoken ( some of the other tours- same company- have guides who have quite an accent..bit hard to understand)...we lucked out with a small group of 18 and a good guide ( not to mention the great bus driver).
Time to read about our next adventure.....Bye for now