It’s My Wonderful Life

I did sleep in some time this morning. I got up at around 7:30.
Today we went to the YMCA for kids camp. It had rained the night before and into the morning. The park was to wet. We worked with 2 groups at the Y. One thing I have learned about Polish students is that they run the roost. Believe that didn’t last too long. A few snaps of the fingers and pointing and the kids were in shape. I did have a blast there. The softball girls are going to leave their equipment for the YMCA to use in their programs. After the camp, the kids was asking for their autographs.

After kids camp, we went to the mall for lunch. They had a food court. I got a tuna sandwich. I really wanted a half but for some reason they gave me a foot long. It was good though, but I ate too much of it. After Subway, I went and got some chocolate ice cream. It was awesome.
When lunch was over we went to the Wawel Castle. This place was beautiful. A long way to walk to but well worth the visit. I think we are actually going to go back and visit it before we head home to the States.

Before heading to Krakow Tigers baseball practice we went back down to the Renic Square to pass out flyers for the coffee house tonight. We then road the tram to the practice. The girls were to play a scrimmage game with the boys. The girls did beat them 6 to 5. I thought the boys have improved over the 2 days the girls taught them the fundamentals. It is amazing how much better they have become. The boys really seem to like the girls. In fact they have been hanging out with them at night in Poland. I hope they are going to be a strong witness for these boys.

After the great scrimmage game, we went back to the hostel to clean up for the coffee house. Before the coffee house, we went and ate supper at McDonald’s. It is kind of funny because it was better that the McDonald’s in Monticello. The coffee house was great. They taught the Polish college age students how to line dance. It was a blast.

I did better today. I woke up around 6. This could be because I didn’t go to bed until 2. After breakfast, I got to listen to Jeff and Tracy babble. It was probably way too early for it. I did however endure it.
After breakfast and the girls were ready, we hiked to the Park Jordana. Kids camp was about to start. Two big school groups showed up. One group actually wanted the girls to come to their school next week for their camp. It is really amazing to see the girls work with the kids. The language barrier is not coming between them, the kids, and softball. In fact some girls from the Polish basketball teams is translating for them. They have even learned the sport and participated in the camp. It is amazing what God can do. Language and culture cannot stand between him.

We ate lunch at an outdoor cafe. They had sandwiches, pasta, salad and chips. I decided to have spaghetti. A funny thing about drinks in Poland is they don’t have ice. If you get ice, you get two cubes. It is amazing how simple differences in culture in this culture that you notice. For desert, we hiked right down the street (never really right down the street) to More Than A Cookie. I got a coke and ice cream cone.
It was finally time for Krakow Tigers baseball practice. We went to an old military place to play on tennis courts. The Tigers just started out and do not have a baseball field. The boys did much better today. I think they respect the girls a little more and are listening to them. Some of those boys have never touched a baseball before this week. I can actually see a difference in their skills. They may become the next world champions.

After this we got cleaned up and went to the Renic Square for supper. We ate at Yummies. This was a lot like eating at Chili’s in America. I had a cheeseburger and grilled corn on the cob. It was very good. Then we walked around the square and took the tram ride home. This is where we are now playing Phase 10.

I learned this morning that the sun comes up at like 4 in the morning. Being daylight, I finally forced myslef to get up at 5 (thinking it was much later.) I ate breakfast and then went back to bed. At about 8:30, Jeff and Tracy went around and woke everyone up. So I got back up.
We left for the Park Jordana (kind of funny because we have Jordan Park in Monticello). We walked a long way to get there. I am just glad I wasn’t the one carrying the equipment. As soon as we go to the park, we set up a tent while the girls passed out brochures about the camp to the kids. We had an awesome turn out. It was probably around 40 that showed up. The girls had to teach them basics (like how to hold a bat). Baseball is nonexistent in Krakow. The kids had a blast and were wanting to come back tomorrow.
After kids camp, we went to the Old Square for lunch. We ate a place called Kuchnia. It was our first taste of Polish food. I order the Medallion + zeimniaki. It was the only normal (almost American) food on the menu. Basically, it was a fried chicken patty and potatoes. It was very good. I had water and coke for drinks. Yes, even the water was in a bottle. I save the bottles for Michael. He loves glass bottles. While at the restaurant, we also experienced public restrooms. You had to pay for it. Can you imagine having to pay to go to the bathroom? After eating, we went to eat ice cream.
After ice cream, Jeff, Carolyn, Becca S., Becca T, and I went shopping on the square. I bought all the souvenirs for Michael, Ashton, and Kaylee. I got them all a t-shirt. I also got Kaylee a doll and Ashton a wooden sword. We also walked around and played with the pigeons. Becca T actually let the pigeons sit on her.
After realzing that we separated from the rest of the group, we decided we were lost. We hiked our way back to the tram. Luckily before that tram ride the other group members showed up.
Next event on the agenda was the Krakow Tigers baseball camp. About 15 guys showed up. This is good because they just started it about 3 weeks ago. As I said before baseball is nonexistence in Krakow. All the boys that came out are college age. They were very responsive to the girls. It was a successful camp. The boys finally realized that the girls meant business.
After the camp, we all went back to take showers before eating supper. After everyone got cleaned up, we drove to KFC (much better that the one in Monticello). I got the chicken strips. You can never go wrong with chicken, at least that is my philosophy.
When then came back to the hostel for deotional and free time. Speaking of free time it is like 2 in the morning here. (Must go to bed). Yeah, I think this is where I am going to leave you hanging.

Don’t forget to check on more pics on Flickr account.

—Charlotte, NC to Munich, Germany

Guess it is morning here. Just got served orange juice and now waiting for breakfast. This is crazy because it is midnight back in Monticello. I am having to get up while MIchael and the kids are tucked in. Boy that would be nice. I sure miss my 3 cuddle monsters. Well, the doctor is back so I guess that person is OK. I am so excited, I can actually see breakfast on its way. Now if I can just get the lady beside me to stop rubbing her feet on me. It is totally grossing me out. I just finished my breakfast. We had a cold wheat roll with butter and watermelon. It was good. WE now have about an hour left on this flight. I so need to stretch my legs. On another note, this doctor that help this person sure is famous with all the flight attendants. They pretty much give him what he wants. He even got roses. Wow! Can a teacher get famous on a flight? I want some roses. Surely there is someone that needs to learn 2 + 2. Hey, the doctor in front of us has a little one. Maybe I could teach her….just a thought. It is amazing what you body can adjust too. Now, I have only 45 minutes until Munich. I wonder if they have any Volkswagon beetle there. Did I mention that my legs hurt and I need to stretch?
We made it to Munich. We had to go through customs and check our carry-ons again. What it takes to be a world traveler. We have a 2 hour lay-over, so I went and got Michael a German car magazine. Hope he likes it. Well its off to do more puzzles until the flight for Krakow leaves.

—Munich to Krakow

This was the much anticipated flight (the last leg). We had a 2 hour lay over Michael wanted something from Germany. I bought him a magnet and German car magazine. At least I thought it was German. It was completely in English. This is why I picked him up a FREE German newspaper. We finally boarded the plane. I went to sleep and realized that we were still on the runway for like 30 minutes. We finally set off for the sky. It was a small plane so you feel every tuberlance adn turn. (VERY SICKNING).

—Krakow Airport to hostel
Shea (our leader from Krakow) and one of his team members picked us up at the airport and brought us to the hostel. Poland people drive just like Michael…all over the road. They are crazy, but we made it safe and sound to the hostel.

—Orientation
We all showered and went over to Shea’s house for supper and orientation. Shea’s wife fixed a wonderful barbecue dish. It was delicious. After eating we got down to business. We discuessed doing kids camp and Krakow Tigers in the evening. On Friday, we will host a coffee house. After orientation we went outside and played with 2 of his 3 kids.

—Walk to the Grocery store
After we got back we went to the ATM and got some money and walked to the grocery store. I got cereal and cereal bars for breakfast and snack. I then came home and crashed.

Don’t forget to go to my Flickr account for more pics.