Today was my train trip from Berlin to Krakow. It was going to be a long day. The first part to Warsaw takes about 6 hours, then Warsaw to Krakow takes about another 4 hours. The train left Berlin at 6:29 so I had to get up early. The taxi I had booked online the previous night didn't turn up but luckily I had prepared a plan B by writing down the phone numbers for the taxi companies. I called another one and it was there in no time. I got to the station with plenty of time to spare. By the time the train arrived it was raining quite heavily.

Unlike all the other trains I've travelled on, this one had compartments. And it was looking like I had this one all to myself.

On the way to Warsaw we passed open fields, small towns and big towns. The weather changed too, from wet to misty to clear and then back to misty as we approached Warsaw.

At Warsaw I had to change trains. This part of my trip has been the first time announcements have been entirely in a foreign language with no English version. It's a bit bewildering hearing a long and detailed announcement but not knowing if it's important to you or not. I'm finding it very humbling. Luckily the departure signs did have some English so I could make my way to the right platform with a degree of confidence. The train was about 20 minutes late and not as plush as those I've travelled on so far. I have purchased a number of books so far which has made my luggage a little heavy, so getting on the train is no small feat.

When I got to my compartment I was not alone this time. The gentleman sitting across from me asked me something in Polish. When I explained that I didn't speak Polish he was kind enough to repeat in perfect English. He had moved seats and was just checking that he hadn't taken mine.

He asked me where I was from and when I said Australia he was very surprised. He'd only just seen a post from his daughter who is spending some time in Australia saying that she'd found a place to live and now he's sitting on a train opposite an Australian. Coincidence #1!

After that we finished up chatting quite a bit. He was a very interesting fellow, Polish but now living and working in Holland. Lovely to talk to. When I asked what his daughter was doing half way around the world in Australia, he said filmmaking. She makes short films. Coincidence #2!

After talking for quite some time I stepped out of the compartment to get some more pictures. It started out very flat with forests dotted here and there and became quite hilly as we got closer to Krakow.

On arrival at Krakow station Marek was kind enough to help me find my apartment as it was on his way. Here is the front gate.

The apartment is gorgeous. The nicest I've stayed in so far, with the possible exception of Juul's apartment in Amsterdam. I'll post proper pics later but I wanted to share the mural on the wall above the bed.

I was exhausted, but the weather was so nice I decided to immediately head out to look around the old town. The apartment is right on the eastern edge.

Being a Saturday evening there were people everywhere. The central square is surrounded by restaurants. I was hungry but also not really in the mood for crowds so I bought some supplies to make a snack back at the apartment and re-group.

Around town I saw these posters!

I also saw a poster for a different event or exhibition. I'll use my phone app to try and translate some of it, but it looked intriguing.

After having something to eat I popped out again briefly to see what the atmosphere was like.

Part of me wanted to go out but I was truly knackered from the day and I decided to get an early night instead. I suspect I have a few late nights for Unsound ahead of me.

Day 22: A long journey and two coincidences