L'viv

The Opera

Lychakivske Cemetery

On a L'viv playground

Sampling L'viv chocolate

Happy traveler

We visited L'viv for three days last weekend. The weather was nice, so despite it being early November, we were able to spend some time walking around the city and getting a feel for it.

L'viv was a Polish city for centuries, then part of the Austrian empire after the partitions of Poland, then became part of Ukraine when Poland ceded Galacia to Stalin after WWII. Poles still speak of it fondly, so I thought we should see it.

We felt like L'viv shares with Krakow a certain atmosphere -- the way the old city areas are laid out and the architecture. It's definitely a gem in need of some polishing, but you can see evidence of what it once was. The historic mix of peoples and religions was evident there too. I don't think I've seen Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Armenian and Greek Orthodox cathedrals and a Jewish synagogue all so close to each other before.

We didn't go far outside the old city, but we did check out the main tourist sights, rode the tram a bit, and checked out the area around the Ivan Franko University, where another scholar will be studying starting next year.

We also visited the Lychakiv Cemetery, which, although it sounds weird, was a scenic place, in a melancholy sort of way. It's a well know place as far as sights in L'viv go. The guide book compares it to Paris' Pere Lachaise. (So, now I know what Pere Lachaise is..)

Anyway, getting to and from L'viv was a cinch. We had a direct flight from Krakow and the terminal at L'viv airport is brand spanking new. Thank you Euro Cup. Getting through passport and customs was even a breeze.

I was able to speak to some people, like our cab driver, in Polish, which was awesome. And I was able to pick my way through some Ukrainian once I figured out how to decode Cyrillic. We definitely felt more comfortable there than in Kiev.

Oh, and food was super cheap, which was nice.

Happy Halloween

"To infinity, and beyond!" JR went trick-or-treating on the Rynek (market square) again this year. And he should thank his mama for it. Jill organized the event, inviting the families from her play group and the kids at the international school. She had a good turnout -- about 40 kids.

They went to six different shops and restaurants around the Rynek where Jill had supplied candy for the staff to hand out. The Hard Rock Cafe went above and beyond. Their staff were all dressed up in scary costumes and really got into it, taking pictures with the kids. Score one for themed restaurants.

First snowfall

We woke up this morning to 3 inches of snow. So we promptly suited up JR in his new snowsuit and took him outside to play. We built a snowman. It lasted all of five minutes before JR knocked it over. We also used the fireplace for the first time this season. He had been asking us to "turn it on" for a few weeks, and we were trying to put it off by telling him to wait until it snows.. Well, so much for that plan!

It's a boy!

Big news!  We're having another boy!  Here's the new addition to the family.  He's waving hello.

The plan is that he'll be born at the US Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany in mid-March.

Jill's super-excited for more "snips and snails and puppy dog tails"!  ;)

No cameras, please!

Poznan

We just got back from a three day weekend in Poznan. (No classes on Fridays is awesome!)

We liked Poznan quite a bit. It's only based on a short visit, but I'd say it was my second favorite Polish city (behind Krakow of course).  Jill says it was a close third behind Krakow and Gdansk.

We lucked out and the weather was sunny and not too cold to get out and see the city.  We visited the old square, the cathedral island, the castle district, and the palm house.  Poznan has a lot to see and the up shot is there aren't all the tourists to deal with like in Krakow or Gdansk.  We also noted that it's nice to visit other Polish cities where you can see something new but at the same time still feel comfortable because you're in a country where you know the language and culture.  We give Poznan two thumbs up!

On the Old Market Square

Enjoying a sunny October day

In Adam Mickiewicz Park

Fall colors

On the fighting goats -- the symbol of Poznan

Trzy Korony

I took a hiking trip with some friends recently.  We drove to the Pieniny Mountains, which are about 60 miles south of Krakow. We hiked up to a peak named Trzy Korony (Three Crowns).  It was a couple hours up to the peak.  A few steeps parts, but not too bad -- definitely easier without JR on my back.. The views were great, especially as the fall colors were starting to appear. Enjoy!

Map of Pieniny Mountains

View on hike up to Trzy Korony

View from top of Trzy Korony

High Tatras, Slovakia

For one last trip before school started back up, we drove down to the High Tatras, just across the Slovakian border. We spent two nights at a nice hotel (Jill especially like the robe and slipper for JR) and enjoyed the scenic surroundings.  The hotel was right on a lake in the middle of the Tatra mountains.  The trees were changing colors, but it wasn't too cold yet.  Ideal!

Riding the chair lift, up, up, up!

On the walk around the lake

With Mama, hotel in background

Ready for the pool