A Visit to Zakopane.

Yesterday we drove to Zakopane which lies up in the mountains that separate Poland from Slovakia. A winter paradise, it was hard to discern whether we were in Poland or Jackson Hole.

Holy Family Church

   In the winter, the small town of Zakopane is flocked with skiers and the bottoms of the ski runs just about land you right in town. This winter capital of Poland even applied to host the 2006 Winter Olympics, although there was a lot of heated environmental debate. Not willing to give up yet, together with Krakow, there is again government support and the two cities have applied to host the 2022 Olympics. Possibly up against Barcelona, Oslo, Nice and some other cities - a decision will be made in 2015 as to who will get the honor.

   When not skiing, this little Jackson Hole town will provide you with plenty of expensive shopping. Lots of shoe stores and well-tailored women's clothing fill a quaint pedestrian-only district. And if your skis or hiking boots aren't as snazzy as the ones that everyone else is sporting, there are plenty of shops for those too.

Shopping on Fashion Street Krupowki 29

    A snowy Sunday with temperatures around 20 degrees F, the streets were packed with shoppers. Something that I just don't see happening back home. My favorite part is that nothing was shoveled or plowed. The smiling shop keeps were constantly mopping up water on the floors as snow-packed boots make quite a scene when they enter a nicely heated store.

   When the chill sets in, a plate of pierogi and a Mirinda soda will make you wish you had went skiing. I can't believe that we've lived here for 5 months now and this is my first pierogi post! The best part, the silverware plate was accompanied with several little spritz cookies.

Pierogi Ruskie

   Well, possibly even better, unlike Jackson Hole, our dinner for three cost about $20. I'm not sure that you can even buy a granola bar for less than a Jackson bill in that ol' Wyoming town.