Apartment on Karmelicka

We were lucky to find our apartment at ul. Karmelicka 54/9. We came to love this apartment, not only for its beautiful interior but for its wonderful location as well. Our landlords, the Przekops, were absolutely wonderful. This Polish family actually lived in Denver as Jack worked for BP. Not only do we miss Krakow now, but we miss the apartment as well. It housed us and many wonderful memories. Luckily, we were able to share it with the many guests that came to visit. No matter how many people came, the apartment always held

everyone comfortably!


I loved our master bedroom. We didn't bring much of our furniture, except for our bedroom furniture. This turned out to be a good decision as

our friends


complained about the mattresses supplied in their rentals.

Stockholm Sweden - on the Baltic Cruise

Stockholm, on the eastern coast of Sweden represented a nice quiet entry point into our 2 week Baltic vacation. We joined the Johnson family at our hotel in the outskirts of the city, and then headed out by train/subway to explore the city. Our main goal was to do a brief boating excursion into the harbor. This was a wonderful way to see the city.

Walked through the old city.
Saw the old city fortress.
Watched the band play.
Went to the museum (Vasamuseets).
Had dinner at Friday's and wandered the city with the King's.

Estonia - Baltic Cruise

As part of our Baltic Cruise, we stopped in the beautiful medieval town of Tallinn, Estonia. A peninsula nestled between Latvia and Russia, and across the sea from Finland, Tallinn is the smallest of the Baltic countries. Estonia regained independence from Russia in 1991, shortly after the fall of the Berlin wall created havoc across all of eastern Europe.

We arrived in the morning and immediately walked to the World Heritage Site of the Old Town (Raekoja Plats). We spent much of the day there and visited many of the city's attractions. The early 15th century Town Hall tower was fun to climb, with its uneven spiral staircase. In one souvenir shop near the square, they had a lady dressed in period garb while weaving a rug.

Of course we visited a church...we are in Europe you know! This one is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It is a typical, and still operating Russian Orthodox church from the 1800's. We also passed by the former Parliament and KGB headquarters, where Brody checked in with his fellow spies. The Tompeea Castle was also a fun stop during our walk around town. The cannon towers were called the Kiek in de Kok. We like the name!

After a hot chocolate respite during a brief rain, we headed back to the cruise ship for our usual 4 course dinner. Tallinn was a fantastic city with lots of charm.

We're Back in Dallas

After following a long but adventuresome trail home, we are back in Dallas...and finally in our old house. We hope to update the blog with some final entries to capture our time in Poland and our travels to other countries, but that may take some time. As always, the blog is a work in progress. Feel free to add a comment or contact us via e-mail. We'd love to hear from you.

Say Yes Way to Norway

Our final vacation after leaving Krakow, and returning to Dallas. Travelling through Scandinavia was a trip we had coveted since we first moved to Europe. So, after our Baltic cruise from Stockholm, we headed over to Norway to enjoy the clean air, magnificent scenery and overpriced everything.

Our trip began in Oslo after a short flight from Stockholm. Our taxi ride from the airport (at $200) was more expensive than flights for 3 of the 4 us combined from Stockholm. During our day and a half there, we visited the Nobel Peace Museum which flooded us with wonderful stories and information about some of the most intelligent and respected people in the world over the last century or so. We also visited the Resistance Museum and the Royal Palace.

But what we really came to Norway for were the fjords (specifically, the Sognefjord). To get there, we began a journey by boarding a 6 hour train from Oslo to Flam. Part way there, we transferred to a special cog train built in treacherously steep terrain on the side of the mountain, amid 100's of waterfalls. The train made one tourist stop for us to view the Kjosfossen Waterfall which roared 305 feet top to bottom. Arriving in Flam about 1-2 hours later, we switched to a ferry which would take us to Balestrand where we would be staying for a couple of nights. Chris and the kids got a yummy pizza that took so long, we almost missed our ferry, but gave us good nourishment along the way. When was the last time you tried carrying 10 pieces of luggage (including backpacks) and a pizza box?

Balestrand was a real Scandinavian treat. Quaint and quiet, it served as the most relaxing stop during our journey. We stayed at a small bed and breakfast (the Midtnes) with a fantastic view out to the fjord. There was a little swimming spot designated for our hotel, which Ariana and I tried during a light rain on the first night, but it was just a little too cold to enjoy.

The first day there, we went on a ferry ride to the Glacier Centre (Bremuseum), and to the base of the Jostedalsbreen Glacier. Though we were not close enough to walk or talk to the Glacier, we could experience the power of it, and the receding nature of it. Though it occasionally has a year or two of expansion, it has receded hundreds of meters in the last 10 years, presumably due to global warming. We are definitely not approaching a new ice age...that is abundantly clear. The museum gave us fantastic insight into glaciers and the making of fjords. The fjords were basically cut by glaciers a few million years ago. What it is interesting is that it is not the ice that actually carves the landscape, it the rock debris that it carries. The water in the fjords goes down 1,000 meters, and the mountains around tower as high as 1,500 meters, so you can really get a feel for the evolution of the land.

We really got a feel for it that afternoon when we went to the aquarium, which included free (yes, something was FREE) time in canoes. We loved the experience of being in the middle of the fjord lake, 1,000 meters of water beneath us. Clearly if we fell out, we could not touch our toes to the bottom! Luckily we had no such bad luck. I, with Brody, and Ariana with Mom had a little race back to the dock. The challenge was for Ariana and Mom to go full steam, while only Brody paddled in our canoe. I was solely there as a rudder. We gave them a huge lead, and though we caught up, the girls won in the end.

Balestrand was also special for the new friends we made. Ok, we have been travelling too much and have forgotten their last name, but it was Frank, Janine, Ally and Kevin, and they were very cool! We met on the glacier ferry and decided to meet the next day for a long hike in the mountains. Both families later agreed that this hike could never have been accomplished without the other, as all the kids would have groaned and moaned and fought with their respective sibling, had another family and kids not been there. And, the parents enjoyed some adult conversation, and a fantastic hike and picnic lunch 100's of meters above sea level. The kids also had a great time "playing with" some monster ant hills. These hills were piled with sticks and pine needles about 4 feet high, and literally covered in ants. Later in the afternoon, we all met up again for a swim in the fjord lake. Though still cold in the water, the sun was out and beer and chips were tasty.

We all boarded the same ferry to Bergen to start the last leg of our Norway in a Nutshell journey. Our new friends were also on this leg, so we spent a lot of time up on deck talking and taking pictures, and just generally enjoying the fantastic scenery as we headed toward the ocean. The kids mostly stayed inside playing cards and video games, but we enjoyed some time with each of the kids sitting on our lap while we hopelessly tried to impart them with wisdom about how special this was and how beauty like this is a once in a lifetime experience. Those mind-numbing conversations were usually followed by "can I go back inside now?" probably to play more DS. In spite of that, I think they do "get it" and in the end really appreciate the beauty and unusual things we have seen on this and other trips.


We parted ways with our friends in Bergen, but met them again for dinner that night before they headed back to Denmark, where they lived as expats (originally from Colorado). Bergen is a beautiful port town of about 250,000 people nestled in the hills between fjords and ocean.



It is known for it's old town pictured here. The colorful, wood-sided buildings are slanted and dinner was in this fantastic open fish market right in the port. Chris and I enjoyed a variety plate with salmon, crab, whale (yes, it was like beef almost), and shrimp. If this was my Mom's blog, we would spend another few paragraphs on the food, but it's not! Let's just say it was delicious. We also spent a full afternoon at the Science Museum. Ariana said she didn't want to go, but then (just like her baths), she didn't want to leave. The highlight of Bergen was the trip up the funicular (ma'an these things are all over Europe) up Mount Floyen (320 meters). It was a fantastic view of the ocean, fjords and city of Bergen. After eating lunch up top, we went for a hike to a lake where Ariana made a sailboat out of bark and leaves. We decided to hike down rather than take the funicular.

Near the top, we found a little park that included a see saw. We were all taking turns and having fun, when I decided to have a little "extra" fun by bouncing the kids at the apex of their side of the see saw. Brody caught good air a couple of times and then climbed down. Ariana wanted to experience the fun too, which I willingly granted her. After bouncing her a couple of times, I really gave her a good boost on what was, of course, to be the final one. In slow motion, I could see her lose her balance and her grip, while her face headed straight for the see saw. BAM! After a few minutes of tears, we were back on our way laughing about it, sort of, and Ariana getting lots of sympathy from all.

It was a fun trip filled with indoor and outdoor adventure and some of the most awesome beauty on the planet. Balestrand is the perfect place to really spend some time if you want a good break from the city life. But Norway overall was fantastic. Four thumbs up from the Ladd family.

Cruisin' through Stockholm, Estonia and St. Petersburg

Vision of the Seas

The kids and I (Chris) had never been on a sea cruise before and we were very excited about the journey and our destinations. We initially chose this 4 night cruise because it allowed us to visit Russia without obtaining a tourist visa through the Russian consulate in Krakow. The cruise left from Stockholm, Sweden and then traveled to Tallinn, Estonia and St. Petersburg, Russia before returning to Stockholm. Luckily the cruise seemed like so much fun that our friends the Johnsons and the Ortizes joined us and made it all the more fun!

I envisioned us laying out by the pool and soaking in the sun. The kids would be engrossed in the various activities of their respective kids clubs. We would enjoy delicious food and tasty drinks. "These boats are so big, you never feel them moving," said our cruise experienced friends. Well...the food and beverages were tasty. And, I don't mean to sound like we didn't enjoy our cruise, but cruising on the Baltic is not the same as cruising through other tropical locations.

Our ship, the Vision of the Seas, had plenty to offer. The pool on the top desk offered many chairs for those with enough clothes to weather the cold. The only time we went upstairs in our swimsuits was to get in a hot tub with the Johnsons at midnight. Luckily, the land of the midnight sun provided enough sunlight to read and but not enough heat to be warm. We still had a great time alternating between the heat of the water and the cool breeze provided on the side of the tub. This will actually be one of the best memories of the cruise.

The Kids Clubs weren't really engaging for Ariana and Brody. Luckily, Ariana loved hanging out with Samuel (her age), Vanessa (8), Will (5) and Nate (3). Brody enjoyed these kids too, but he also had the freedom to walk the ship and play in the arcade. All the kids were allowed in the "adult" indoor pool because it was too cold to be in the outside pool. The shows were entertaining as well. Vanessa even got to go up on stage for the magic show.

On the last day of the cruise, the ship spent a day at sea trying to make it from St. Petersburg back to Stockholm. Unfortunately, "the seas were angry that day." Who said you can't even feel the movement of the ship? We would stagger down the halls as if we were drunk. Maria, Samuel and Vanessa felt really sea sick. Corey and I took a little Dramamine which probably helped us make it without getting sick. The evening's entertainment, a juggler, had to cancel his show. I'm not sure if the movement of the ship made his act too difficult, but the cruise director did say he was too sea sick to perform.

In the end, we really enjoyed being with our friends Liz, Tommy, Maria and Julio. It proved to be a great way to see a couple fabulous destinations and it made a nice transition from Krakow back to Dallas.

Going Away Parties

Saying goodbye can be the hardest part...hopefully I'll be adding lots of pictures soon to show you the good friends we made in Krakow.

Brody had a great going-away party even though his best friend Krzys was home with a fever. Fortunately, Morgane, Anna Laura, Camille, Emmanuel, Jack, Matuesz, and Tomi were all able to come. Michal wished he was there, but didn't get the e-mail on time. Oops.

The kids participated in a photo scavenger hunt in the Krakow Rynek. They were given pictures of places in the Rynek where one word had been blocked out. They had to figure out the location where the picture was taken and then find the missing word. In a compeition with the parents, they were able to win by figuring out one extra word!

The scavenger hunt was followed with a meal of pizza and homemade brownies at Pizza Dominion. The kids were given decks of playing cards with Texas logos on the front. The packs also included a card with Brody's address so they can hopefully keep in touch. While the kids were told not to bring gifts for Brody, a few of them still brought some thoughtful keepsakes for him to take back to Texas. They all had a great time! Brody (and his parents) will miss these kids.

Ariana had a going-away party with a few of her good girlfriends. Unfortunately, because we had the party the day after school got out, some girls weren't able to come. Luckily, we had Natalia Haberberg, Glorianne Francavilla, Dorothea Eder, Lisa Hiemlich, Gabriella Cartolano and Martha Ryrko.



The girls each made a scrapbook page for Ariana's friendship book. Ariana treated them to a magic show, an d then they ate hot dogs andbeach themed cupcakes. Hopefully for all these girls, it's not goodbye but until we meet again!

Corey and I enjoyed our own going away party hosted by Terry and Sherri Humphrey. Because our party took place a week after school got out, many of our friends had already left for summer vacation and some for their new permanent home. Being an ex-pat means living in a very transient world. Luckily, we now know people around the world. That means more people to go visit.


Some of Corey's poker playing crowd were at the party. Terry and Carston Heimlich will have to hold down the fort after Corey, Tommy Johnson and Jerry Lis leave town. Terry was nice enough to give the guys who were leaving a "special" poker hat. I'm not sure it's going to help their game, but they enjoyed the gift.

Rehouven and Julian both played guitar: a very special gift that we will always remember and appreciate.

We also recived a great watercolor of St. Mary's Church with goodbye wishes from our friends on the mat surrounding the picture. We'll miss all of our friends from Krakow. We will always remember those years as a special time in our life with special people.