KrakowMapJanuary 19–20, 2015 I was last here 24 years ago in search of the Soviet Consulate after my hostess had laundered my passport along with my pants, leaving me with nothing but the water-resistant photo and half a page that resembled a chewed-up piece of blotting paper. The consulate was closed, and I barely remembered anything about the city, so it was like visiting it for the first time.  Krakow is fantastic!  Some of the sidewalks are laid out with mosaics (like in Portugal and its colonies).  Some of the sidewalks are on the same level as the roadway (like in Ravenna), which gives ownership of the city to pedestrians.  A parking meter.  The parking system is interesting. The first sign shows how many parking spaces are marked with a rectangle with an X—you’re only allowed to park for 20 minutes in these spots. They’re followed by spaces where you can park for longer periods.  A fire hydrant.  A municipal trash can (the model is exactly the same as the one in Florence).  A more Krakovian trash can.  There are poppy seed bagel vendors on every corner (like in Istanbul).  A street sign.  The most beautiful detail in Krakow is the building number signs. They’re simple, elegant and homey.  Of course, a significant part of the city’s beauty lies in the fact that apartment owners aren’t allowed to just install any windows they please.  The beauty also lies in the details. Beautiful fences.  Pretty kiosks.  Purposely placed beauty.  Shop signs that don’t ruin the facades.  Little hatches on the drainpipes (to clear out the leaves).  The handsome post boxes also don’t ruin the historical surroundings.  The post office cherishes its socialist beauty.  A public transportation stop.  And here’s the public transportation.  Krakow is fantastic!  |
