The Krakow adventure (part 3): Krakow at night
I was in on a trip where I could get the most out of my trip in Poland. The International Student Organization of Erasmus students in Budapest organized a trip that invites all international students to take part of the trip to one of the most beautiful countries in Eastern Europe: Poland. I can see the benefits that can be ascribed to this trip for a good number of reasons. I will not endeavour to enumerate them as each trip I join, I reckon has in it educational value and social benefits. When I go to a trip, I make sure that there is something that will be added in me personally, professionally, or in some other dimensions of my personality, something of value has been improved. I do not just spend money for nothing. I do not just waste time on haphazard going to places for I personally believe that whatever value you will derive from such a trip will be tawdry.
It was now our second day in Krakow. Everyone is excited to get to know what will be the next activities tomorrow. There might be some surprises. But before we ventured on our trip, I already had a plan on how to spend the night in Krakow. The truth is I could not sleep that night so I decided to spend the night roaming the city. I believe Krakow has so much to offer when it comes to night life. But the weather seems not to be very auspicious at that moment. It looked bleak. It was so cold that I nuzzled and cuddled myself in my room while waiting for the right timing to go out.
They say that among the best things in life are those that you do not expect the most to happen and they actually happened and you were in for some of the great surprises in your life. Sometimes things happen in the most unexpected ways and life could surprise yoou with beautiful sights that you really do not expect. Krakow they say is full of surprises even during the dusk. It has life, colour, warmth and beauty in it that can allure even the most tepid tripper.
So what do I expect to see in Krakow after the sun has set? You know it is really hard to fall asleep and retire to bed when you are in a very beautiful city. You always think of the great possibilities that await you. So I got out of the room. Once I stepped downstairs, I noticed that the pub party in the first floor has already started. There are already a great number of people flocking into the pub. But tonight I wanted to visit the Main Square and other top night destinations in Krakow to see for myself how Krakow looks at night. Since our hostel is just located a stone thrown away from the Main Square, it was rather very easy to get into the Sqaure in just a matter of a few minute walk.
The truth is most tourists will go for a party when they visit a place and want to have night hang-out. Not for me though. I would rather enjoy the beauty in sights. I go to party sometimes or ocassionally rather when the circumstances call for it and when i were in the mood for it. But of course I am not the typical party goer. Krakow is just so unique. The adrenaline rush is bustling and night life here is a different league and so a friend told me.
When I got into the Main Square, I was really mesmerized into the dark beauty that overcast the entire Main Square. It sounds like hyperbolic but the city of Krakow is like a brunette supermodel during the night---elegant, stunning and captivating. I do not realize having myself fall in trance with such enthralling sights before me. I decided to spend the next few minutes exploring the Main Square as I hear the Main Square itself has lots of pubs, shops, bars and they operate during the night with so much alacrity and fervor. Walking along the square, I saw locals and foreign alike looking at the different shops which I thought was already close but most of them are still open for business. I looked into the cafes, restaurants and bars and they were alive and kicking at night. Business seemingly starts here by the time the sun sets.
The Main Square is no doubt a source of overflowing happiness and glee during the night for both locals and foreigners alike. I would bet Krakow being one of the most beautiful cultural and historical centers in the entire continent. Look at this pulchritudinous and bewitching beauty of the Main Square. It just looks so amazing and marvelous. If given the more ample time to stay here, I would surely visit the square every night. The possibilities are endless. You have all the time in the world to enjoy the best of life. Krakow is such a fascinating spectacle that can attract even the most frigid and livid traveler. If you happen to plan a visit in Krakow, fail not to visit the city during the night, it is a experience to brag about. I would tell you with 100% assurance that Krakow really rocks during the night!
Poland is known for its drinking culture so you get to experience lots of partying here once you decided to stay in this enthralling place. I did not miss the chance of getting a drink so I took a few glasses of beer to set the tone for the night and continue on my night Krakow expedition. It was an amazing night. You met lots of acquaintances along the way, get a feel of the local night life and experience Krakow as though you have been friend with the city for so long a time.
Fix your gaze with this shot of the Saint Mary’s Basilica. Is it not resplendent that it can take your imagination to some fabulous fairy tale stories hundreds of years ago. It was richly colorful and striking even during the night. It stands out with glee and pride as it watches the people adore and admire its beauty to the end of time. Saint Mary’s Basilica is such a good sight to look at it. It looks very decently magnificent. The elegance and grandeur remains with it even during the dark. If black is beautiful as they say, then Saint Mary’s Basilica is even more gorgeous and inviting during the night. This scene may appear a commonplace or run-of-the-mill already for the locals but for a first-time visitor of the city like me, it just looked so fabulous and wonderful. It was as though I did not get tired looking at the city. It was so spectacular!
As I could not contain myself looking for at the Saint Mary's Basilica, here is another shot by an amateur like me.
Mind you each building which has been witnessed to so many years of Polish history has some pubs. You can go and check it out for yourself when you decide one day to visit this beauteous city in the Eastern part of the continent. When I get down the cellar, I was surprised that there are bars and drinking shops inside. This makes partying in the Main Square such a unique experience. The truth is I did not realize that the underground level of the Main Square is likewise full of establishments and business stores. Pubs, clubs and restaurant are really alive and dynamic during the night.
I was told by a local to visit the Jewish Quarter or the Kazimierz. Accordingly, what makes this place a cozy and unique from other night destinations in Krakow is that its party type style is none of the usual partying at Krakow. Apart from that, you would surely enjoy the artistic design, the hipster style or the Bohemian classy style of the buildings here. Further, there are two great things about this place. Firstly, if you want to try street food, the Polish way, then this is the perfect place for you. Second, should you want to try unusual drinks and beverages, try it at Kazimierz. Finally, you would not regret getting here because the price is likewise more affordable than when you spend the night at the Main Square. This place is definitely enticing and bewitching. If you are a party lover, search no more for a groovy place, drop by at Kazimierz, you will have the time of your life.
Of course, before I leave and get back to my hostel, it is difficult leaving the place I have been to without capturing some memories with them. I knew these are priceless token of my trip so I needed to get some good shots. In order to get a good perspective for my pictures taken at the top, I ensconced myself in a certain area knowing that I will be able to get good angles for my shots.
People keep coming and out of the square. There were drunken fellows along the Square but they were calm and just with themselves. They were not violent nor resort to shouting just like the one I experience when I visited one of the cities in Metro Manila. When there were drunken folks, you should try to avoid them as much as possible.
There are times and situations where a person could act like a blunderbuss. It was so awkward that you would rather choose to avoid these situations. Under ordinary circumstances, it is not my cup of tea to cringe or filch on important issues. I would rather confront them and be honest with myself. You may feel bad about a person’s actuations sometimes but of course you do not want to envenom him with hurtful words particularly in front of other people. But I consider myself a laconic person; I do not speak that much. I tend to keep my mouth shut when needed. However I could be tenacious sometimes, i.e., if I know that I am right under the circumstances, I chose to fight for it. At times there are people who would like to impress and engage you in bombast. Ignore them. They would just ruin your day. Life is so short so it would be best to avoid bad mouth. Be like an epicure who enjoys life to the fullest, not worrying of the morrow. Be reminded though that there are things in life that should be taken seriously and therefore they should not be lampooned upon. We should not be oblivious of this fact and should not be flimsy or tenuous on these matters. Life, as they say, could not be bilked or cheated upon. Just savour the moment and enjoy life to the fullest.
But here in Krakow, everything goes smoothly. Life here is so lively and relaxed. You want to chill out and experience one of the best nights. Go to Krakow.
Well, to lend a good vibes and an atmosphere of positive energy, I took a picture of me with my favourite background, the Saint Mary's Basilica. I may bid farewell for now, and see you Krakow sometiem somehow in the next episodes of my journey.
Photo gallery
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