Trifter

You find Zakopane by travelling south from Krakow, and then south some more. Nestled under the watchful gaze of the Tatra Mountains in an atmosphere of serenity. The crisp mountain air descends onto this town, which feels more like a village that forgot to stop growing. Hustle and bustle doesn’t really exist here, but in relative terms, if you want to escape hectic city life head further into the mountains. I’m at a bus stop at the main bus station looking for a ride to take me to Dolina Kościeliska, part of Tatrzański National Park. After a half an hour wait there seems to be some confusion. First I thought that the bus driver (it is just an old mini-bus) was changing his mind on his destination. However it appeared that he was not eager to leave with just the five people sat patiently in his vehicle.

He starts trying to encourage people to come in our direction; he begins by asking random people standing at the bus stop and after no luck there he walks over to a hut, picks up a microphone, and enquires to Zakopane. Still no takers so he has to bite the bullet and take a half empty (rather than half full) bus. We begin the short ride out of town. Following winding roads with a consistent gradient engulfed by trees and buildings created from a juxtaposition of wood and brick. It feels like you are in a cross between a fairy tale and a model village. Soon the buildings thin out leaving just the trees. Not much farther and the bus pulls up at my stop. Here I am out in the wilderness of Poland. I’m ready to explore and to get a good lung full of fresh mountain oxygen. Oh, one last thing: watch out for the bears.