TravelTalk - Running Krakow

 Aloha everyone,

 

Well, everyone here is sleeping (recovering from last night) and I am in awake mode, so I'm catching up on blogs and YouTube videos (so sorry for the many blog today).

 

Anywho.. People ask me why I run on vacation?! Easy, its an easy way to get to know a place, I think if I run through a neighborhood, I can easily remember how big a city is, where I am when I am walking, etc.  I generally don't get lost and I have a great sense of direction.

 

Also, its great running in the morning, no tourists (generally).

 

For those on RunKeeper - add me - hawaiiinsomniac

 

Mahalo for reading.

 

Until next time.

 

TravelTalk - Krakow - Grocery shopping

One of the things I like to do while traveling is grocery shopping.

 

It is really quite interesting to see different ways of shopping.  Not to mention it is probably the best way to save money while overseas, buying essentials and also things that would be much cheaper in comparison to a restaurant.

 

There are some places which have such unique things, and in Poland, most of the things were generally inexpensive in comparison to the United States.

 

One of the things I bought which I really love is shaving cream! I spend about $25 on a jar of shaving cream which usually lasts me a year - here in Krakow, I bought a travel size for 50 cents and its the best shaving cream ever (seriously), I should go back just to buy this.

 

With all of these photos you can zoom in and check out the prices!

 

Sorry I didn't take more pictures =]

 

 

  

TravelTalk - Krakow (KRK) Cheapest way to city center

Airport to the city for 4zl (roughly less than 1€).

Most websites (including the directions the hostel gave me) will tell you to take the fast train from the airport.  This is not the cheapest way nor is it convenient if you are staying in the border of Kazimierz and the city center. If you are staying anywhere on Dietla or Stradomska... Or if you simply want to the the cheapest route follow these directions.

Once you exit the airport take a right, you'll see a blue bus stop (look for 292) it is highlighted along the top. Make sure you have 4zl (you can buy the tickets in the bus, but you will need to have money - the machine on the outside takes cards).

Make sure you buy the ticket for 4zl (pictured below)  not the 3,80.

Take bus 292 (validate your ticket -  picture below) then you will end up at a station. There us a huge yellow sign that says "Szybki Tramwaj" this means FAST TRAM. There will 2 sets of escalators.

Take the one on the left (heading south), the other set on the right heads north (which you can take if you want,  but you'll end up in the middle of nowhere,  then you take the 50 heading back south).

There are only 2 trains from here 5 and 50, make sure you take 50. From there get off at Starowislna.

Voilà!! You've saved 3€ by going this way.

TravelTalk - Krakow - Final thoughts

Aloha everyone!

 

Although this is entitled my "Final Thoughts" more blogs will follow regarding Krakow, simply because the internet connection here is quite slow at this hostel and I will not be able to upload all of my videos and therefore the corresponding blogs.

 

I really like Krakow, its a cool, smaller size city (by American standards) so everything is walkabout, though you probably want to take advantage of all the public transportation that the city has to offer (trains, trams, buses).  This city is really safe - I would give this city a safety rating of 9 out of 10.  You probably have a higher chance of something happening in your hostel!

 

Krakow is also a surprisingly affordable city - and here I am writing this blog during the summer time.  Accommodation, food, alcohol are all affordable (if you're use to American and Euro prices).  For example, you can have a meal at a restaurant and spend less than 6 Euros.  There is also fast food which is also more inexpensive and also a higher end segment, for those who want to experience 5 star service (though service is really good wherever you go).

 

One of the major pluses for this city and probably all of Poland is that nearly everyone speaks English.   I've had no problems asking for directions, sending mail, requesting information, ordering food, etc., this city is English friendly.  If you Spanish, French or other language, brushing up on English or Polish phrases is required. 

 

I can't wait to come back to this city, though I am not sure I would stay for a whole 7 days the second time around - perhaps if I were bringing friends, a 4 day of exploring at a relaxing place would be great.  There are surprising amount of airlines flying here!

 

Thank you Krakow for being so accommodating. 

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - TechTalk - Poland - Best Poland pre-paid SIM plans.

For those of you traveling to Poland, this is one of those countries where having an unlocked phone is a major advantage.  With your unlocked phone, you can take advantage of the low prepaid plans that are available here in Poland.

 

For me, my favorite plan is Play (link below), there are different plans, including unlimited SMS, unlimited phone calls and large amounts of data for a really reasonable rate.

 

Since I am in Poland for 1 week, the plan I have chosen cost 19zl - roughly 4.90 Euros - roughly $6.10.  For this plan, I received 1GB of free data for topping up with 19zl, a sim card (included).  I still have 2 more days and I have been texting and calling and I have only used 5zl (amazing).

 

Finding Play sim cards is easier than Orange, they are available at nearly all the kiosks here in Krakow and you can recharge at any of the kiosks as well, should you need more data.

 

Of course, if you really don't want to spend these funds, you can also utilize WiFi which is prevalent, you can use WiFi at your hostel, hotel, bars, restaurants, and so forth.

 

Also, places here have both standard sim, micro sim and nano sim with those of you with newer phones.

 

Play - CLICK HERE

 

Orange - CLICK HERE

 

Well, thank you guys for reading.

 

Until next time.

TravelTalk - Krakow, Poland - Park Decjusza

Aloha everyone,

 

I finally got to shoot some videos (meaning, it wasn't hot as balls like last couple of days).  Instead of showing you guys major touristic sites (which will be covered later), I left the city this afternoon (roughly 20 minutes away) and spent some time at Park Decjusza.

 

The cool thing was that there was hardly anyone in the park - quite a shame really, because I got to experience a live band and a performance.  These were likely high school kids performing at the park.  It was really cool, there were chairs set up for anyone who wanted to watch and the café was serving coffee and snacks.

It was such an awesome show!  Great job!

 

The funny thing is, it is times like this that I feel like I am a part of Krakow.  What I mean is, many people would rather see things that have been seen (which of course, me too - but its not priority #1), rather than taking in the natural scenery and observe.

 

Here are three videos...

 

Introduction

Performance - MASHUP - Includes Max background SIGNING. HAHA 

Performance 2 - Mashup!

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos

Mahalo for reading. Until next time.

TravelTalk - Krakow - First 48 hours.

Aloha everyone,

 

I can't believe that it has been nearly 48 hours here in Krakow - meaning I have 5 days to go.

 

Ok, most of you will probably be disappointed with what I will have to say, but hey - to each his own.  My first 48 hours in Krakow has been pretty cool - as in chill because of various factors.

 

First, I got lost going into the city - probably due to state of disillusion, heat and dehydration.  For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you know that I walked from my room in Madrid to the airport - at 4am in the morning, of course after getting to the airport in 45 minutes, I'd then have to wait until the flight departed at 0645.  I did make it to Krakow safe, but it has been really, really hot the past couple of days, in fact right now it is 27C and it is 0130 in the morning.

 

One of the videos which I will shoot for you guys is how to get from the airport to the city of Krakow, considering I got lost, its the least I can do.  Here in Krakow, it has been really hot, so I've been spending most of my morning and afternoons laying low, resting and even sleeping.  Today, to avoid the heat of 37C, I read a book at the park and watched a movie in the movie theater.  It has been insanely hot, I blew my nose and it started bleeding, and even with the water I drank I still have been quite dehydrated. 

 

Yesterday, after landing and sleeping, I went to a CouchSurfing weekly meeting here in Krakow - it was really cool - there were about 60 people and I got to socialize for a bit.

 

Videos are coming... I plan to shoot some videos of my hostel, Krakow and even interview Couchsurfers!  Sort of introduce you to my world of traveling and daily living.

 

Ok, so far, I like Krakow, it has been really hot, but nearly everyone speaks English and it easy to get around - once you figure out the tram, train, fast train system. 

 

Yeah, it is 0145 in the morning and I do have to check out at 11 - arrgghh.. hahahaa

Thanks for listening and talk to you soon.

 

CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS HERE: http://www.youtube.com/user/hawaiiinsomniac/videos Mahalo for reading. Until next time.