Sunday, May 13, 2007

Saturday night in Krakow

The university students in Krakow celebrated Juvenalia (student festival) this week. Apparently once a year at this time the students are given mock authority over the city (they pretty much run it anyway as there are close to 15 universities and colleges in the area), and they celebrate their newfound power in typical student fashion - lots of drinking and partying.

I met some friends for dinner in the main square last night. Tons of people everywhere, enjoying the weather, sitting at the outside patios, watching the students carouse.

We didn't leave the restaurant until sometime after 11 pm, and as we walked out, we found ourselves in the beginnings of a fight involving, I am assuming, many drunken students. We quickly left that street, but as I walked home I heard and then saw a police paddy wagon heading towards the fight.

A few minutes I walked by the police closely watching the entrance of a crowded bar, which was dressed up for the occasion with two bonfires in large barrels.

Lots going in Krakow all the time . . .

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