Warsaw, Krakow, Warsaw again, Berlin, Dresden....

The Old Town section of Warsaw is nice, but nothing spectacular.  We were able to walk there from our hotel.  Some nice shops and restaurants along the way.  We decided to do the hop on hop off bus the next day to see more of the city.  We only had one museum to go to, so we had some time for other things, like churches. Poland is still a pretty religious country.  Almost every church we went to had people not just walking around , but many were praying and there were actual organized devotions taking place. Hadn't seen that so much in other countries, and we must have visited  at least 100 churches this year.
Poland is in the EU, but has not yet adopted the euro.  Because of this the zloty goes a long way.  We could get a meal for about $25-$30 for the both of us including beer.  We ate at one café, characterized as a milk bar and the bill was $16 for the two of us including beer.  The milk bars offer a variety of meat, vegies, salad and desserts.  Just pick and choose what you like.  The server puts the food on the plate, kinda like the cafeteria line in high school.  We had to tell her to stop several times or else we would have had way too much food.  It was late, so I assume she was just trying to get rid of the food.  Anyway...one can eat and drink very cheaply in Poland.
Next stop, Krakow.  Now this place is beautiful.  Krakow has the largest town square in Europe, all of it lined with cafes and bars and some shopping.  Interspersed were many quite beautiful churches.  Ray took many pictures in Krakow and you may have already seen them, since I am writing this post a week after we returned.
We had a great time in Krakow.  I met a cousin and his partner who were really fun guys.  Spent an evening with them sitting out in one of those cafes.  No paintings to tick off the list here, but we did go to a really sweet art museum in the market square area.
A highlight of the Krakow trip was a tour to Auschwitz and Birkenau.  You must go on a tour to see the camps.  They do not allow individuals to just roam around.  Our guide was wonderful.  She put us in the mindset that is necessary when visiting such a place.   This is our third visit to a concentration camp, two in Germany and this one in Poland.  The other camps did do exterminations, but not nearly to the extent that occurred in Auschwitz.  Ann Frank died in Birkenau. To think that the ground we walked on still held the ashes of so many  people was sobering.
Our World War II theme continued the next day when we went to Oskar Schindler's factory, which now is a museum.  "Schindler's List" is one of my favorite movies.  Gonna have to see it again when we get home.
From the Schlinder museum we took the tram to the castle and Cathedral and roamed around there in the afternoon after lunch. 
Another nice touch to our Krakow visit was a concert of mixed classical and popular music.  It was held in a tiny church in the square.  Only about 50 people can fit in the church.  Concerts are held all over Krakow every night. 
We went a little upscale in food in Krakow.  One night we went a fish place and the last evening we went to a traditional polish restaurant.  I had duck and Ray had there award winning goose.  It was an entertaining evening.  We were seated next to a group of (old) British tourist, some of whom were grumpy because they thought they had waited too long for food.  A few of the group were happy and very content to just sit and converse.  We were sitting closer to the happy group and carried on a conversation with one of the guys. Pictures of the food have been posted.
Back to Warsaw the next day and onto Berlin where we were able to go to our favorite of all places in Berlin...Heisser Wolf, a fast food restaurant that serves the best hot ham sandwich in the world.
We left for Dresden the next morning to see "The Sistine Madonna" and 2 Vermeers.  We thought Dresden was totally destroyed in the war, but many old building still remain, and are quite beautiful.
This is getting boring, but yet again another nice market square.  No wonder these people sit around all day drinking coffee or beer or whatever.  The setting is so lovely.
Our evening meal in Dresden was in a typical German beer hall...communal tables, lots of small rooms, BIG (1 liter) beers if you like.  Pictures of the food of course have been posted.
On to Braunsweig for a Vermeer.  Yes, we took a 3 1/2 hour train ride to see one painting.  We know we are crazy, but this is a once in a lifetime experience and we had the time to do it.
Back to Berlin that evening and stayed at The Hotel California.  Got this bargain on booking.com.  Paid $79 for a $200 room.  Not our usual moderate place.  The neighborhood was fantastic.  Lots of well heeled older folks here.  If we ever move to Berlin this would be our hood.  Next morning to another gallery to see 2 more Vermeers.  Did I tell you that we are on the Vermeer trail, inspired by our new friends Nancy and Royden Josephson who we met in Vienna back in December?
Okay...time to head back to Amsterdam with 15 stops along the way.  It is interesting to note that at or near the border of Germany and Hollnd the engine changes and so does the entire crew.  It was so fun to hear the announced stops by the Dutch conductor.  Rolling those R's and clearing his throat as often as only a Dutchman could. 
A great trip.  Lots of good art and wonderful historic sites, ten different train rides, 6 lovely hotels, and what can I say...DELICIOUS FOOD.