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Impressions of Poland

As a Canadian visiting Poland for the first time, I feel like I was transported back in time.

History is inescapable in this country. All Polish cities seem to have an old square (a renyk) as well as a grab bag of beautiful cathedrals and monuments. I thought Krakow was particularly incredible; you can't go for a walk through the old Jewish quarter (Kazimierz) without feeling like you've slipped back into 1910.

Most of Poland's public transport seems to follow suit by looking almost as decrepit and ancient! Is it really necessary, for example, that half of the route map inside the train - incidentally, the half you need - be torn off and papered over by Fanta ads? I mean, really?!
 
Apparently, it's also perfectly normal to see some dude sit in his parked Fiat, sideways and on top of the curb, whilst smoking a cigarette and pumping 1980s music out the windows at all hours of the morning. An entertaining sight to say the least!
 
Religion is everywhere. Poles are deeply spiritual people, and it shows. We visited during All Saint's Day, a holiday the people of Poland mark by decorating the graves of family members with candles and flowers. Also worth noting that on my run through downtown Krakow yesterday, I must have seen about 18 monks strolling down the street. Their robes just swishing in the wind, needless to say, I got quite the view! Monks!