BergWork in Krakow: laughing, learning and impressions for life

Friday, February 27, the time had come: BergWerk on tour. After some of us had worked another morning, we left for Schiphol around two o'clock. We gathered at the gate. We're going to do something very special, which we think more people should experience, so everyone has a +1 with them.

The aircraft was a ‘kleine’ city hopper and therefore almost half filled with mountain workers. Sharon's neighbor visibly regretted his choice of seats between our over-enthusiastic team. Luckily for him, we landed twenty minutes ahead of schedule.

We arrived in Krakow with a total of eighteen strong men. A taxi van took us, including suitcases, to the hotel right in the center. Quickly freshen up and on to dinner. The food went in at record time (the service probably also wanted a weekend). Then we had another drink in the bar and some of us took a short evening walk to explore the city. The rest saved energy for what was to come.

“The more I know, the less I understand.”

Saturday started sunny. An extensive breakfast, coffee in the sun and some healthy excitement for the day ahead. Today a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau was planned: the main reason for this trip.

Milou had made a tight schedule, so we went to the van in time where our guide Robin was waiting for us. In an hour and a half we drove towards Auschwitz.

Robin turned out to be worth gold: an incredibly passionate guide who, with his knowledge and palpable involvement, took us into all the details of the terrible events in the camp. We followed him in silence through the different spaces where photos, letters and personal items touched our right in the heart. Silences that say it all.

After lunch we drove on to Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The famous track. The endless plain. The last wagon. The ruins of the barracks and crematoria. The cruelty is incomprehensible.

‘You can't imagine it, can you?’ was a phrase often uttered that afternoon.

Cellar dinner & connection

After such a day, eating together is exactly what you need. We joined La Grande Mamma restaurant (in the basement, because there appears to be another city under Krakow). There was a delicious meal, a chat about all the impressions, but also a lot of laughter and even more connections.

City walk, churches & dragons

Sunday: the last day. After breakfast we checked out and went into town.

Robin took us out again. He led us past churches, universities, the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, the former ghetto and much more: hours filled with stories. Krakow breathes history. And if that's not enough, they also made up dragon legends to keep you here.

The sun was shining, which made the walk extra pleasant. Towards the end of the tour our brain became full: storage capacity was reached. Reason enough to come back again, because this city has more to say than you can imagine in one weekend.

We had lunch at Robin's favorite place. Plates well filled and colas as big as your head. Full of impressions and fancy memories, we later boarded the plane.

What Krakow brought us

Connect three days together.
Impressions coming in.
Laugh until you have a stomach ache and tears run down your cheeks.
And realize how important it is to sometimes stop together.

BergWerk in Krakow was intense, impressive and unforgettable.

And honest?
We have to go back. 🧡