Rolling Traveler

Your picture for this Sunday is the northern side of Wroclaw Town Square, in a freezing December rain. The Town Square is called the Rynek [RIN-eck] in Polish, and it is the heart of the city in many ways: for business and administration, but also for nightlife. In the summer, it would be absolutely thronged with people, but, as I said, freezing rain.

Looking at this picture now, a few thoughts come to my mind… like why wasn’t I wearing a scarf? And who the hell wears pants that light in Central Europe in winter? Was I wearing long-johns? I better have been, because, I’m just saying: freezing cold, raining, and underclad legs that you’re not moving is a recipe for getting ill fast.

I’m also struck by the color. Any time anyone tries to tell you that the former Eastern Bloc countries are gray or drab, show them this. Even on a dull winter’s day, the colors of the buildings come through. Wroclaw underwent extensive renovation projects to restore this look to the city, and I think they did a great job. It’s a great city to visit for a lot of reasons, and it’s an attractive city too.

But boy, it was cold! Next time, I’m visiting in the summer.