Kazimierz (The Jewish District)
The Hotel Astoria:
After a bit of a scramble trying to understand the map, Karel and Adriana found the Hotel Astoria on Josefa Street.
http://www.astoriahotel.pl/
Karel ran in to register while we waited in the car. When he came back out with our room keys, we learned that the hotel had an underground parking garage where Adriana could put the car. This was great news, as the hotel is within walking distance from all the major sites of the city, and it would be a big relief to know that she could leave the car and it was safe. After she negotiated the narrow entrance way and equally narrow, but adequate parking space, we took our luggage up to the rooms on the 3rd floor. My room was great - newly renovated with a beautiful bathroom. Karel knocked on my door and wanted me to see their room. It was amazing. There was a bedroom and a sitting room, and two washrooms. Perfect for the three of them.
The view from my window:
My neighbour across the street, (she was shy):
After we got settled, Karel and I took KK for a quick walk around the area. There was a market, (Plac Nowy), around the corner, but since it was already after 5 o'clock most of the vendors had packed up for the day. I found one fruit and vegetable stall where I bought some nectarines and
tomatoes. In the meantime Krystof discovered the pidgeons that flocked to the square. He happily chased them all over the place. Then we discovered the Singer Bar and stopped for a pint.
KK loved the Singer sewing machines that the cafe tables were made out of.
Thanks god the needles were removed...
Adriana joined us at the bar and took the above video. After finishing our pints we took a walk to find a restaurant for dinner. We ended up in a small, wonderful square near the hotel on Szeroka Street. At one end was a nice cafe, "Dawno temu na Kazimierzu" where we got a seat near the door so KK could see what was going on outside.
Before the meal came, Karel took Krystof outside to let him run, with the hope that he could wear him out, but after 3 times around the square, that dream died as did papa....Our meal came while he was outside. We'd all ordered a different type of perogies and, unbeknownst to us, the place was kosher, so there was no sour cream included. Still, the dinner was quite decent. Once finished, we walked Adriana and KK back to the hotel, as it was time for Krystof to go to bed. Adriana was tired, so Karel and I headed back out to the Singer Bar for a pint. One pint turned 
into several, as the place turned out to be a lot of fun! The music was excellent, and the crowd was very eclectic. We didn't make it back to the Astoria until almost 1:30 in the morning....
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