Photo Diary of Europe: Kraków

 Sweater: Kirra (similar ombre version here)...Scarf: F21...Leggings: Forever 21...Sunnies: Tom Ford...Sneakers: Ash...& Hobo: Rebecca Minkoff.
***All food Images: Chłopskie Jadło Restauracje.

           Cześć!  I'm back from my travels in Europe.  Yes, I could have posted while I was traveling, but  I decided to stay away from the computer & take in every minute soaking in my surroundings.  For the few weeks left in October, rather than telling ghoulish tales & making ghastly monster brownie recipes, I shall be re-living my journey of the four countries I visited through photo diaries.
        As many of you know, I'm a huge history nerd.  So in addition to my photos, I will gladly be educating everyone with stories from the past.  (You are more than welcome to simply visit MBB for the photos, it won't hurt my feelings.)
      This beautiful location is one of my personal favs.  For a second time visiting Kraków, I have to say it was just as magnificent as the first.  This particular area is the Main Market Square of the Kraków Old Town.  It is full of life, open-air markets, beautiful architecture & art.  The main building seen in four different photos is the Sukiennice. (See 1st photo.)  This area prospered during the Renaissance in Poland.  The 15th century to the 16th century was Poland's Golden Age.  Sukiennice literally means 'Drapers Hall' or 'Cloth Hall.'  International trade & commerce flourished here.  Through Polish exports such as salt & textiles combined with exotic Eastern imports such as silks & spices, merchants traveled from all over Europe to barter in Kraków's Sukiennice.  If only the walls could talk...imagine the stories they would tell!  
      Another splendid part about visiting a different country is tasting the local cuisine.  Some of my personal favorite food from Kraków is pictured above from the popular restaurant Chłopskie Jadło: Polish pierogi, żurek & smalec.  There's really nothing better than hot soup to warm you up on a cold day.  Of course, the Polish man's beverage of choice to wash these down was a brewski- Piwo grzane z konfiturą, a hot beer with fresh jam & spices!  I opted for grzane wino, a traditional warm Polish red wine with spices.  Mmmm...wish I could be sipping on some right now, but its a little too hot in Florida for that.