Off to Wrocław

Our timing is perfect. Up at 7:15, breakfast at 7:45, checkout at 8:00, and get to grocery store at 8:20. I quickly pick up a litre of black currant juice (5 zł), 150g  old gouda (12 zł), 6 slices of ham (3 zł), 3 of those great bread rolls covered with nuts and seeds (3 zł), and to round it out, a bottle of Languedoc (25 zł). Most of that will be lunch on the train. By 9:00, we're on the tram for one long stop to the train station. At 9:15 we buy our tickets to Wrocław, and again they're 44 zł each. Is it really the same distance for the last three trips?

And three hours later, we're in Wrocław. I get turned around (again) and come out the wrong side of the station. This time, thanks to a giant street map on the corner, we go only a few metres the wrong way. Going back through the station, we stop at the tourist info kiosk to pick up a local map - and leave with half a kilo of maps, brochures, and booklets. Many of these turn out to be useful and some are quite humourous in their descriptions.

It's about 5-600 metres to the Hostel Wratislavia (Komuny Paryskies 19). The neighbourhood is a bit run down but the hostel is no more than two years old. But our room has two single beds. Clarisse runs down to change rooms and we get the *only* room in the whole place with a double bed. After almost 36 years, I don't think we could sleep apart. The room is larger than the one in Poznan but the bed is not nearly as nice. (not as bad as the one in Bydgoszcz thank goodness).

How did we get so tired sitting on a train for half a day? Neither of us want to move but by four, we get out for a look around the city. As usual, the old market square is collection of impressive buildings, a massive church, and dozens of over-priced restaurants and beer gardens. We slowly spiral out from the centre, looking for something more our style and find a Marks and Spencers. And finally, after years of looking, find the perfect underwear that is no longer available in England. Yeah. Then we pick up half a kilo of fresh strawberries for dessert for a mere 6 zł.

One of 200 gnomes scattered throughout the city

Twist-off System ??

The Edge of the Stare Rynek

And shortly thereafter, we find a great place for dinner - Hubertus at the end of Oławska by a fancy fountain. The sour soup is way better than Granny's in Poznan and Clarisse was very happy with her pork, potatoes, and carrot salad. My perogies were good, nothing special, but the tomato salad was a disappointment. Still, with half a litre of beer each, the whole meal was only $20 with tip.