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An Afternoon in Krakow

Our final afternoon in Krakow began by going to a neighborhood to make pierogis. We took the train to the house and walked up a hill through the neighborhood. Once we arrived at the house, we were greeted by two Polish grandmas. We spent the next two hours making pierogis and enjoying a traditional Polish dinner. The dinner contained many shared dishes, plates full of pierogis, and more.

After dinner we got desserts in Old Town and walked around the beautiful area. Once we got back to the hotel, we hopped on Lime scooters and explored the entire city. We eventually traveled about five miles and saw many medieval squares and Renaissance castles. As we rode alongside the Vistula River, we spotted a green top of a church. We continued to chase it, crossed the bridge, and found the most beautiful church I have ever seen. This became our hidden gem: St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

 

Why Were The Stairs Warped?

Staircase in a prison block (Simon Norfolk – Auschwitz)

The tour guide at Auschwitz I took our group into block 4, and I was hyper aware of everything since it was the first block I’d ever been in. Maybe I was extremely dramatic, which was definitely self-inflicted, but I was afraid to breathe the air in there. Afraid that the air would tell me something sinister that I didn’t know about Auschwitz yet. First of all, air doesn’t necessarily have a voice, at least as far as I am concerned. But that doesn’t mean that air can’t. Stay with me, Reader, I am a unique writer without any formal training. I can’t remember what we saw or what the tour guide talked about throughout the block because on my left, at the end of a hallway, were a set of marble stairs. I was struck by the oddness of each step that led to the 2nd level; each step of marble was warped. Warped in the way that very thin metal bends, but each step was made of hard marble, and two directions of wear were present. Throughout the stairs’ lifetime, they’d been traveled up and down a lot. As worn down as they are, it’s possible that visitors have carved the marble overtime. It’s possible that the stairs had been subjected to the wear of even the Polish soldiers who had utilized the building before Nazi prisoner’s ever had.

To me, the stairs symbolize many things, but I want to draw attention to them as a symbol of the history of World War II. Pay no attention to the up-and-down directions that stairs mean. Focus on the plains and valleys of a single step. The plain of marble symbolizes the general history of the era, so the textbook lessons that I read throughout my K-12 education. These lessons are introductory, and they state factual history without any primary sources. On the step, there are two sides that are incredibly worn down. They slope upwards towards the middle of the step where the marble is level. Let’s say that the right slope symbolizes the written and oral experiences of the survivors and victims who were persecuted by the Nazis. Their stories alter the factual history in grade school textbooks by breaking down the general facts, exposing the layers of how scary and sad being on the receiving end of Nazi atrocities was. Once the graphic details are revealed, you can never forget them. For me, the most shocking details are of the starvation of prisoners (Elie Weisel, Night, 100-102), the humiliation of Jews forced to scrub streets with their bare hands (Dokumentationsarchiv des Oesterreichischen, USHMM), and the picture of a Ukrainian Jew kneeling at the edge of a mass grave where he’d fall forward into the grave after he was shot (USHMM). Knowing these details have worn on me overtime because they have been useful in my own attempt at understanding of the magnanimity of the Holocaust specifically. They are the steps that I take to asking deeper, more complex questions about history. Without them, no one would truly know what happened during that time.

In the left valley on the marble steps, I can insert anything, such as the experiences of Nazi soldiers. This can be frustrating if you don’t understand why reading and listening to their experiences, especially parallel to their victims’, is important to fully understanding the context in which they operated.

Hopefully you see now why the warped stairs in block 4 gained my attention. Bringing the up-and-down aspect of them back into this discussion, going up the steps can be hard, but so can going down them. Learning the history of World War II can be hard and intense, and sometimes easy, but every step is important because it holds stories and experiences that no one would know if they were not investigated. Look around. The most obvious, seemingly uninteresting objects may have the most stories to tell.

 

By Isabella Scully-Tenpenny

Interacting with History in Berlin

Throughout our trip we interacted with museums and visited important places that made an impact during World War II. It was a sobering experience to be in places like Normandy because I stood where troops did on D-Day as well as where many died. I could feel the importance of where I stood.

Visiting Normandy – Arromanches

Berlin felt very different to me though. It was like a place that had stood still in time but also had moved forward past events during World War II and the Cold War. You could walk down the street and see malls and food places while also looking at the front of a train station that was important during the war. Even the museums stood still in time such as at the Topography of Terror. In front of the museum stood part of the Berlin Wall and underneath that were cells where the Gestapo tortured and murdered people.

Infront of the Topography of Terror Museum – The Berlin Wall

Berlin stood out to me as a place where they embraced the good and very bad of their history. At every turn in Berlin, you could interact with some kind of history.

I also felt that how people interreacted with museums were different. People stopped and read every piece of writing. They carefully looked at photos and other historical pieces as to not miss a thing.

It was one of the best experiences I had because it allowed me to also feel I could really take the time to look at everything and digest the information I was taking in. I think this is something we in the states could really learn from and incorporate. Instead of just quickly walking through or just glancing at pieces of history, we should really take in what we are looking at and experiencing.

The Train Station of Berlin

By: Emily Stratman 

We primarily relied on trains in the four cities we visited, using overground and underground railways in London, Paris, Krakow, and Berlin. Before this trip, my train travel experience was limited to navigating the Cleveland Amtrak system with my family. The European rail systems, however, were a completely new adventure. From the iconic London Underground to the sleek trains of Paris and the extensive networks in Berlin, each city’s rail system provided a unique insight into its culture and daily life.

A side view of the station


We stayed near the Hauptbahnhof Station in Berlin, one of the city’s main hubs. This station is anything but small. With five different levels for trains traveling throughout Berlin and Germany, it felt like a mall. Three levels were filled with clothing, souvenir stores, and places to grab a quick bite. Further toward the back of the station was an entire grocery store and a Rossmann, similar to a CVS or Walgreens. It felt like a one-stop shop for most travelers at the Hauptbahnhof Station.

The Hauptbahnhof station was a stark contrast to the limited offerings of the Cleveland Amtrak. While functional, the Cleveland Amtrak lacks the extensive amenities and modern infrastructure of European rail stations. It has basic facilities and provides essential services, but it doesn’t offer the same variety of shops, dining options, or convenience as stations like the Hauptbahnhof. This trip highlighted how different train travel can be in various parts of the world, with each system reflecting its city’s unique character and priorities.

The lower level of the station

The Berlin Zoological Gardens

California Sea Lions sunbathing at Berlin Zoological Gardens. Credit: Sam Chancey

My initial goal when traveling internationally was to visit a zoo in every country. Unfortunately, that goal fell flat, but one zoo I did get to visit was the Berlin Zoo. This zoo was unlike any other zoo I visited and I really enjoyed my time there. I got to see so many animals that I have never been able to see before, including the Giant Panda and the Kiwi! The Kiwi was mostly just a big shadowy figure though, because it was housed in a nocturnal exhibit, but it still counts. I also did not realize how massive Kiwis are and how little Giant Pandas are until this visit. What was really mind-blowing about this zoo though was how it was so engrossed in nature. Everywhere you looked, there were massive trees, shrubberies, bamboo, and flowers. It was so immersive you wouldn’t have even known you were in Berlin. The zoo even had a medieval tree, which was estimated to be from the 15th century.

Hippo at Berlin Zoological Gardens. Credit: Sam Chancey

Harbor Seal at Berlin Zoological Gardens. Credit: Sam Chancey

Medieval Tree at Berlin Zoological Gardens. Credit: Sam Chancey

Video of a Flounder at the Berlin Aquarium. Credit: Sam Chancey

 

What was more interesting was the habitats for their animals. It really seemed like they were doing all that they could to simulate the natural environment of the species they were housing. For the California Sea Lions, the pool in the exhibit had a wave machine, which I had never seen done before. The King Penguin and Rockhopper Penguin exhibit had a built-in ice maker and walking in the building, you could feel the temperature difference. There was even a coastal aviary exhibit that housed birds like SandPipers where there was also a pool that simulated waves splashing on a beach. The aquarium also had some elaborate exhibits that emulated natural environments, most notably, a river exhibit with a strong current. While I was in the World of Birds, I also noticed many native Ohio species, including the Northern Cardinal. It is pretty cool to know that people look at our state bird in this zoo on a daily basis.

Giant Panda at Berlin Zoological Gardens. Credit: Sam Chancey

California Sea Lion on rock at Berlin Zoological Gardens. Credit: Sam Chancey

 Overall, it was just really interesting to see the different approaches to sustainability, husbandry, and enrichment that different zoos opt for. Prior to the Berlin Zoo, I had never seen an exhibit with waves or an ice machine for Penguins and so seeing these different habitats and how animals interact with them was really eye-opening. I hope to be able to use my experiences here to be an advocate for animals, their needs, and what’s possible, in the future. 

A Buckeye’s First Time Abroad – Lauren Hilderbrand

I’ve always wanted to travel the world: see the rolling hills of Ireland, taste authentic pasta in Italy, and wade in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean. Without a doubt I will be able to do these things later in life, but during the turmoil of my early twenties I could have never imagined I would be experiencing some of these things already. The Ohio State University Transnational History of WWII trip has allowed me to travel to four different countries in the span of three weeks which is one thing I never thought I would be able to do. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience for a college student who has never been outside the U.S.

Me holding our Ohio State flag at Omaha Beach in Normandy

First and foremost, as a foodie, the culinary arts of Bayexx, France had to have been my favorite. Not only was it some of the cheapest food I have ever eaten, but I never found myself looking for the salt shaker. Pizza with camembert cheese, locally grown foods at breakfast, and onion soup (that was to die for) gave Bayeux the upper hand with food. One of my favorite things from the trip was the chance to try a diverse array of dishes from each country. 

Pizza with camembert cheese, curried chicken, and tomatoes

Additionally, I am passionate about European architecture and was thrilled at the opportunity to see it in person. Now, I am not talking about Big Ben in London or The Notre Dame in Paris. What I was really interested in seeing was the architecture of the neighborhoods surrounding our hotel. I was astounded by the simplicity of it, and mystified by its ability to create such beauty in a seemingly normal area.

Street view in Bayeux, France

Street view in Berlin, Germany

Street view in London, England

Street view in Krakow, Poland

Finally, the absolute pinnacle of my trip was the people that I got to become amazing friends with. After taking our seminar class together the semester before, I was hesitant about what it would be like to spend three weeks with people I barely knew. I can safely say that I have made friendships that will last a lifetime, and learned that at The Ohio State University students truly are the best of the best. Through learning things about others I learned more about myself than I would have ever done during a normal summer.

Group picture at Gold Beach

Group picture at Omaha Beach

OHIO with the Eiffel Tower

The Berlin Bear

Coming to Berlin, I was surprised to see so many bears. Bears, in Berlin? The fiberglass bears are on almost every block of the city. No one bear looks the same, either. Some bears are standing, some on four paws, and some are doing a crazy trick. Each one also has its own unique patterns that emphasize the location that it is at.

Why do bears represent a city that none call home? Well, there are theories. The most popular theories are that bears were very common in the geographic area that is modern-day Berlin, that “Bär” means bear in German and that the city of Bär-lin means city of the bear, or that it was named after Albert I von Ballenstädt, a famous warrior called Albert the Bear. Whether any of these hypotheses were true or not, the bear became the official crest of Berlin in 1280.

Berlin Bear outside of a tea shop in Berlin.

The Berlin Bear has become a staple of Berlin since its original introduction of the crest of Berlin. Today, the bears around Berlin may seem like a mere photo opportunity. While these bears look great in pictures, they mean much more. The modern Berlin Bear, or “Buddy Bear,” symbolizes tolerance and international understanding. The Buddy Bears welcome individuals from all walks of life to the city of Berlin.

Berlin Bear outside of a hotel in Berlin.

International Running

On April 28, just eight days before leaving for the World War II study abroad program, I ran the Glass City Marathon as my second marathon ever. When I left I knew that it would take me a week or two for my body to recover from the Glass City Marathon, but I also knew I wanted to try and run at least once in every country we visited in the free time we had on our itinerary. At the time it felt like a tragedy when I realized I had left my AirPods in my mom’s car when she dropped me off at Detroit International Airport. Adjusting to the five hour time difference and still dealing with incredibly sore feet prevented me from going on my first run until our last day in London, but it was still an unforgettable experience. Only a quarter mile run from our hotel was Kensington Park containing Kensington Palace, the former residence of Princess Diana. The park had small dirt running trails, which are much softer to run on, that accompanied all of the concrete walk ways and even veered off on their own at points which created an amazing experience, especially for my legs that were still a little torn up.

Photo of Kensington Palace I took on my run through Kensington Park.

After London, we went to Bayeux, which in comparison to the other four cities on our itinerary is an incredibly small town with 12,000 residents, which reminded me of small hometown. At home, I frequently run the same four and half mile loop around my entire town running on a bike path and the sidewalks I was able to do the same in Bayeux, which really speaks to the small size of the town. I woke up at 6:30am permitting experience the city entirely to myself, except for a duo of trash workers, in a way that felt much more personal than any of the other cities. I took pictures of the towns stunning Bayeux Cathedral to share with my mom without having to worry about someone else getting into my picture. From Bayeux we bussed to Paris; my least favorite of the five cities to run in because we were some distance from any of park that I could run in. What made up for the lack of greenery, was the amazing architecture that existed everywhere. It seemed like I ran by breathtaking buildings, especially churches, everywhere I went. I was also stunned by the amount of extremely well done and creative street art that dotted what seemed to be everywhere. Paris might be the city of love, but for me it is the city of art, especially street art.

Graffiti I found that caught my eye while on a run since it is physically popping out from the wall.

Right next to our hotel was the Old Town Center which is entirely circled by Planty Park. The park was only around 2.5 miles around and not very wide, but was an experience I wish I could experience again in the States. During entire route I was stunned by the beauty of the park, and was able to see dozens of buildings with stunning architecture, and even unexpectingly took me by the beautiful Wawel Castle. We again coached to Berlin, where I searched on Apple Maps trying to find landmarks near our hotel and I saw the May 10, 1933 Nazi Book Burning Memorial was within running distance. This memorial was very impactful for me and since I ran there on my own I was able to stop and have a personal moment of reflection.

Nearby a plaque reads “Where they burn books, they eventually burn people.”
– Heinrich Heine 1820-21
In memory of where Nazi university students burned 20,000 books by Jewish authors including Heinrich Heine’s works.

On the way back I experienced beautiful views of the Berlin Cathedral, the Berlin TV Tower, and the river Spree. Overall, I am eternally grateful that I left my AirPods in my mom’s car at the Detroit Airport because it allowed me to experience these cities without the distraction of a podcast spewing out information or music blasting in my ears, allowing me to take in the noise of the environment around me and feel grounded. The opportunity to run in these five cities has allowed me to just experience the city better and gave me a deeper appreciation for what it is like to actually live my life abroad, not just visit.

By: Mat Jackson

A Chef’s Recommendations in Europe

As much as I may complain about it, I truly love my job working the back of house in a restaurant. I have had many opportunities to try new foods and learn about proper culinary techniques. While traveling in Europe, the new food is what I had been most excited about aside from the various sights. What follows is what were my top dishes in every city we visited while abroad.

Pasta at Pizza Express

London food was, personally, similar to what I can find in the states. While Prince Alfred’s may have been superior in terms of the menu, the pasta I had at Pizza Express lives in my mind. The sauce was slightly spicy like a vodka sauce, which is my favorite, and the pasta itself was small rectangles folded over. In the middle of it was a ricotta mix, and my empty stomach was extremely grateful such amazing food.

Calamari from Arromanches-les-Bains

I did not have much energy to walk around Bayeux after our adventures, so I sadly missed the phenomenal food that was in the town itself. However, we did stay in Arromanches for lunch while visiting Gold Beach, and the restaurant I visited with Jess and Cleo had some of the best calamari I have ever had. The fries were easily my favorite of the whole trip, and the calamari itself worked exceptionally well with the remoulade.

Gnocchi from Paris

Leading up to the trip, I had been planning on going somewhere nicer in Paris to try a proper French meal but, just like most of the rest of Paris, reality does not live up to the myths. Instead, my top dish had been gnocchi from a restaurant from near our hotel. Again, the sauce was reminiscent of vodka sauce with the spice, and the cheese on top made it more smooth.

Pierogis alongside other homemade sides

Krakow had, undoubtedly, the best food of the entire trip. From pizza to pierogis, none of the food I had there was anything less than amazing. Making food myself, however, makes it all taste just a bit better. Thanks to Grace, a group of us participated at a pierogi making class. Everything there had been homemade, and we even got to help in folding and making the pierogis. Supper that night was one of the best I have ever had.

Currywurst with fries

Lastly, the Currywurst I had while in Berlin has made me rethink whether I like sausages or not. I grew up a picky eater, and sausages had always been a food I refused to eat. Despite this, I had tried Currywurst while in Berlin since my grandfather grew up in Berlin. I had been surprised how much I truly enjoyed it. The fries at this restaurant specifically had worked well with it, and it was also fun to people watch while eating.

The German Stereotype

During our last week in Germany, I realized that the Germans live up to their stereotype of being efficient and rule-followers. Germany was noticeably different in how they treated their surroundings and themselves. I noticed immediately that people almost never jaywalk in Berlin. Everywhere else we have been, and at home, everyone jaywalks. But not in Germany; here, they follow their rules.
Another interesting thing that I noticed and thought about was the difference in public transit in Berlin from any of the places we have been. German metro stations were always nicer, cleaner, and quieter unless they were hub stations. I have never witnessed German people being rowdy or obnoxious on trains or buses, but I have noticed that happening in London and Paris. I found it very interesting how the German people live up to their stereotype. The trains are never late, the stations are clean, and a German will never say more words than is absolutely necessary to talk to you.

A Change of Pace in Berlin

In Berlin, there wasn’t a single part of the city that wasn’t touched by the massive bombing campaign that occurred in the city during the final years of World War II. As a result, it is rare to be able to visit somewhere in a city that is from before the war. Schloss Charlottenburg is an exception, as the palace originates from the 17th century and was home to Prussian royalty, starting with Frederick the 1st. My visit to this palace ended up as the highlight of my time in Berlin. What endeared me to this palace was not just the beautiful rooms or wonderful gardens; rather, it was also the surroundings of the palace, which gave off a very different feeling from the rest of the city. Located in the aptly named, somewhat sleepy neighborhood of Charlottenburg, the area feels completely different from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Berlin. It has many small cafes, restaurants, and neighborhood parks. Emphasizing this, when I visited, I was surprised to find what seemed to be a small children’s fair going on in the courtyard outside the palace. It almost reminded me of the fair that my hometown puts on every summer. It made me glad that a happy scene like this is able to occur in a city that has gone through so much turmoil in the not-too-far past.

It just needed a couple amusement park rides that failed all their safety checks and I would have felt at home

The Palace itself has an interesting story, as even though the palace dates back to the late 17th century, the history of the palace does connect to World War II and what our group has learned about all throughout this program. While certain rooms look untouched from the 1700s, Schloss Charlottenburg was not an exception to being affected by the bombing of the city during the war, as it did take heavy damage during the war. Parts of the palace were reconstructed from their original states, which is helpfully explained through the tour of the palace. This was something I did not know about before I visited the site, although it really should not be surprising. This fact only goes to emphasize that it’s nearly impossible to escape the war, no matter where a person is in the city.

This room that was unaffected by the bombing was filled from floor to celling with expensive china

Moreover, there is another connection between Schloss Charlottenburg and the war, specifically with the most famous resident of the palace, Fredrick the Great. Fredrick the Great was a person that Adolf Hitler had a great appreciation for, and he even kept a picture of him in his personal war headquarters. He particularly idolized him during the Battle of Berlin, as he hoped to outsmart the Soviets surrounding Berlin to save the city, similar to how Fredrick once performed a similar action during the Seven Year’s War. However, ironically, Hitler only idolized the superficial aspects of Fredrick’s story. In reality, Fredrick was an accomplished non-conformist musician and a homosexual, someone Hitler would’ve hated. Frederick is a celebrated figure even in modern Germany, which is wholly evident at this palace. The celebration of Frederick the Great and other points of Prussian history at this palace was an interesting breath of fresh air from most of the historical sites in Berlin that I visited as a part of this program which portrayed history in an apologetic manner rather than celebratory.

He’s so beloved that they even turned him into a marketable figure (which I of course bought)

Altogether, my experience at Schloss Charlottenburg was a change of pace compared to the rest of my visit to Berlin, that also provided evidence that the war still touches all parts of the city.

Cultural Shock?

Enjoying the Krakow’s square

For my final blog, I want to focus on cultural shock when it comes to visiting countries outside of the United States. To start, the times I felt cultural shock. One prime example of this is the apparent lack of air conditioning. As one of the professors pointed out in Germany, many of the buildings are old and because of their age, the centralized air conditioning that we as Americans are used to have not and perhaps will not be put into the buildings. Another cultural shock that I felt within these countries was the public transportation. Because we had nearly unlimited access to public transport in London, Paris, and Berlin, exploring the city was a breeze. Though it can become crowded, especially the Metro trains in Paris, a crowded train ride beats having to walk miles to get to a destination. Our tickets even got us places on buses and trams, which I enjoyed more than the underground trains because we were able to see more of the cities.

The tram system in Berlin

However, there were certain points in the trips that I thought I would experience the sensation of cultural shock, but it did not occur. The largest example that would apply to the study abroad is the feeling that I would not be able to communicate with others.  In the cities that we visited, it felt as if nearly everyone’s second language was English. The city I feared that I would experience the most language barrier was Krakow, Poland; however, this was the city where I found it the easiest to communicate with the locals and workers! It made me realize how much a second language is so powerful and how grateful I am to be learning American Sign Language as a second language at Ohio State!

The Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus

Overall, my time abroad was unlike something I have experienced before. As one of the professors pointed out at the final group dinner, the entire cohort grew not only as individuals but as a group as well. Even though I have only been apart from them for a few hours, I already miss being in their presence.

The group on a Normandy beach

Learning German vs. The reality of having to speak in person

What I learned about myself and the progress that I’ve made in speaking, reading, and writing in German will keep amazing me. As soon as the group made it to Germany I had the instant urge to start speaking in German to see what I do know and what not. At first, it was a very clumsy process. When speaking for the first time to a native German speaker I stumbled through sentences because speaking in real life is different from filling out answer sheets of what the correct words were. It was extremely embarrassing and I would eventually ask the person if they could switch back to English for me. I felt defeated, to say the least, at that moment I couldn’t speak German at all and was extremely flustered in front of this random person. I thought to myself that after three years I learned nothing and my education, testing, and pride of trying another language had gone down the drain. Even though it was an embarrassing experience I wanted to try again and wasn’t going to give up so easily. I knew in my head that I knew German and that I enjoy learning the language and the culture, so I tried again. I kept trying and trying until I could rehearse basic sentences or responses out and I focused on my accent and honing that into a somewhat understandable accent. As I kept trying, I began to see improvements in how people talked to me and their body language. The people’s faces began to twist from confused and bewildered to neutral and content. As I began to become more comfortable speaking German, I also started speaking German when store clerks insisted on answering in English. To me, this is the funniest experience I encountered. I refused to speak in English, and the store clerks refused to speak in German, so we would have a short dialogue in different languages but still understand each other. As I became comfortable speaking the language with others I noticed what I didn’t really know about. When I get back home, I’ll take a personal study on medicine and how to read the prescription and what it’s saying. Overall, I’m happy with my experience speaking German in Germany and now I know what I should study to further my knowledge of the German language and culture.

 

By Cleo Yarber

Now This Would Be A Great Place For A Selfie

By: Grace Nussle

My goofiest selfie.

Throughout the duration of this trip, I have taken over 700 photos and videos. A vast majority of these photos consist of museum displays, captions to historical photos, or the important sites we visited, but the photos were only able to capture some of the beauty and power held in these places. Along the way, I got tired of taking photos of what I was looking at. I wanted to get myself in the photo, too! I started to take selfies almost everywhere I went. I think it’s fun to see the smile on your own face when you are traveling to beautiful new places. It is my way of capturing only a bit of what I was feeling while in these new experiences. I’m more than certain my friends could tell you what I would say at any given moment while walking down the street or across the golden sands: “Now this…this would be a great place for a selfie.”

Some people might think that selfies are cringy or self-centered, but I think that they’re a great way to capture new experiences. It’s one thing to take a photo of the busy metro in Paris, but it’s another to capture the look of pure defeat on my face after getting on the wrong the train and going five stops in the opposite direction. A few of my favorite selfies that I took along the trip are the ones at the top of the Arc de Triumph with the Eiffel Tower in the background and the selfie taken

My favorite selfie with a view.

on the back of the ferry crossing the English Channel with nothing but blue waters and a French flag in the background. My goofiest selfie was of me crossing Tower Bridge in London, for my face is centered in the frame with no shoulders showing. It looks like a floating head smack dab in the middle of the bridge. But the selfies that mean the most to me are the ones with my new friends. I have been able to capture our ear-to-ear smiles, our laughs, our tired eyes on buses and trains, our fresh eyes on early mornings, and our worldwide adventures. I have never appreciated the selfie more than I do at the end of this trip. So, next time you come across the view of a lifetime, don’t be afraid to take a selfie.

A selfie can capture moments of joy and happiness shared with friends.

Old Town & Pierogies: 72 Hours in Kraków – Owen Angle

After a two-hour flight over Europe, we finally touched down in sunny Kraków, tucked in the southwestern corner of Poland. I remember sitting on the plane, waiting to disembark, thinking, “well, here goes nothing.” Having just left France, where I knew about ten words of the dominant language (bonjour, monsieur), I was about to step foot somewhere where I was totally unfamiliar with the language, the culture as a whole, and the people. I was walking in completely blind, in a sense.

 

The first thing I noticed was the familiarity of the scenery. Looking out the window on the twenty minute bus ride from the airport to our hotel, I was shocked at how much rural Poland reminded me of… home? Hailing from SE Ohio, the rolling hills, dense forests and thick ground vegetation of the Polish countryside held within them a noticeable resemblance to my stomping grounds.

 

I was charmed by the Old Town area of the city, as the narrow pedestrian streets were lined with shops and cafés, and the main square was bustling with activity. Restaurants offered outdoor seating all around the square, and St. Mary’s basilica towered overhead. The atmosphere here was so welcoming and exciting, and the sunset combined with the glow from the lights of town made this stop one of my favorites from our journey.

 

Another highlight of Kraków was the pierogi-making class I took with a handful of our cohort members. I got to try my hand at making the dough, and we each learned how to stuff and bake our own pierogies! It was a great and unique experience, and one I surely will not forget anytime soon.

 

I wish I was able to spend more time in Kraków, but the time spent here with our group made the city my favorite stop on our trek through Europe. Kraków is truly a beautiful city, both big enough to explore for a week and quaint enough to not feel overwhelming to travelers, new or experienced.