IWAK

There is a group in Krakow called the International Women's Association of Krakow, it's been on hiatus for the summer since the week after we moved here (figures!) because the expat crowd seems to leave and go back to their native countries, but they have been holding coffee mornings in the square every two weeks so I made it to three of them. There were only about 5 women at each, some Americans but a couple of Russians, Danish, and Belgians too, all various ages so it was nice to meet some new faces and chat with them. A couple that I met have been living here for a bout 5 years, but the others have been a year or two and one just moved here a few weeks ago. It was funny because she was asking where to buy things (cream of tartar for one) and I was telling her where to go, as if I am the expert now. I had the kids with me every time I went so I sat them at a neighboring table while Jack happily colored, but Ava's curiosity would get the best of her and she would bring her hot chocolate over to the grown up's table and want to be in on all the gossip! Once the group is back in action it sounds like there will be plenty for me to do - aerobics/pilates/tennis games, biking club (if I want to brave the streets with my bike, I wonder if they will meet me at my house and show me some back roads because I am terrified to ride anywhere near a Polish driver), book club (if I read any books other than cook books or Christian Grey smut), and some charity events. After a few of the coffees I came away with some helpful information - a hidden parking lot right near the Main Square which was a huge find because we were still parking at the Sheraton Hotel and walking all the way over which was at least 15 minutes with the kids, an iPhone app with the Krakow bus and tram information on it, and I am not sure if I mentioned in an earlier post but my feet started swelling my first month here, and one of the older ladies told me that hers were as well so she started drinking nettle tea every day and the swelling disappeared.  I had heard about nettle tea in Ireland, Ava got stung by a nettle once and I had never heard of them, and then one day I parked the car along some tall grass in Krakow (which seems to be very common here because they don't mow public grassy areas too often), and I think some nettles got me all the way up from my ankle to my inner thigh and I was in pain for hours! I was surprised that it could made into a tea, but I found it in the apteka (pharmacy) here but have only tried a few mugs of it. And luckily it didn't sting going down : )