The Heart of Chopin: Warsaw Reborn

One of the strangest tales I heard while traveling in Warsaw was that of Chopin's heart. When Polish classical composer Frédéric Chopin died in 1849, his request was to have his heart be taken to Warsaw. In part this was due to a fear of being buried alive, but also an understanding that his body…

The Horror of the Holocaust: Auschwitz

About an hour South West of Krakow lies one of the most infamous locations in all of Poland, perhaps the world. It is a name synonymous with horror, genocide and the massacre of millions of innocents. I speak of course, about Auschwitz. Arbeit Macht Frei (Work will set you free) looms ominously over the entrance…

A vacation from a vacation: From France to Poland

One of the nice things about living in Germany is how accessible other countries are. The centrality of the country allows for rather easy capacity of travel. After some time in France, the amount of meals out, as well as lodging can sort of add up. Moreover, traveling with another person can be a bit…