A Quick Trip to Krakow

Posted on Dec 10th, 2007 | 7 comments

old-and-new-krakow.jpg
This post should really be called “Why We Love Poland.”

I’ve never been to Poland, though Dean is a quarter Polish. I’ve also never been to Greece, though I am half Greek! (This is next on the list anyway, as I’m dying to visit Kalymnos and see Greece). But I have always wanted to go to Poland, because I’ve been very curious about it…..over the years, I’ve met Polish climbers all over the world, and am always struck by their impressive climbing skill, in the mountains and on rock, as well as their friendliness and good spirits. So when Piotr Drozdz, the editor of Poland’s climbing magazine, Gory, invited me to visit Poland and speak at the Krakow Film Festival, of course I didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation!

After the trip was planned, Dean decided to join me, and show Aerialist at the festival as well. After my past experience with meeting Polish climbers abroad, it was not a surprise at all to find that Piotr and all the festival organizers were perfect hosts, and put on an incredible film festival, with over a thousand attendees, and all sorts of film showings, photo galleries, gear expos, and climbing demonstrations. The Polish climbers are a very large and committed climbing community, and they made us feel incredibly welcome. Gory Magazine has recently started publishing books, and they also published a Polish translation of High Infatuation which was printed just in time for the festival. It’s really fun to see my book in Polish, though unfortunately I can’t read a word of it…..

Though our visit was only two days, we got a taste of Krakow. What strikes me most (aside of the great food and lovely people), is the blend of old and new, which visiting Americans really appreciate. Krakow is over a thousand years old, and is a beautiful historic city, but also very hip and artistic.

The Film Festival was held in a section of the university which is notable for its very beautiful, modern buildings, but overlooked by a decrepit eyesore of a tower, which the locals find rather vexing. Apparently it was constructed in the 80s, and then there was a funding problem, so it was never completed or removed. Although it looks like it might fall down at any moment. Of course Dean was eyeing it for BASE potential, so you can see, there’s always some redeeming quality of things like that.
piotr-dean-krakow.jpg

Today we are off to Arco, Italy, to visit our friends at Brento, one of the great BASE jumping destinations, and to sport climb in Arco, which is one of my favorite places in the world…..having been to Poland now, and thoroughly enjoyed my visit, I hope to come back again to see the climbing areas all of these great Polish climbers come from!

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  • Zirkel

    Steph,

    It’s interesting to read stories from your blog (and from Hi-I) about how you’ve created a desirable lifestyle through hard work and a passion for climbing (OK, talent too!). Many people do this but few are successful, especially at promoting themselves. You’ve done this well, and seem to be gaining momentum.

    I’ve made a couple of observations from your writings. It’d be kinda’ cool to hear more about your perspective on these in the future.

    1. You seem to not focus on relationships with people in your writings. For example, one would gather that you feel stronger about relationships with dogs than with boys (smile!). You spoke often about Fletch being a huge part of your life but never really expounded about your relationship with your significant others. In some respect, that may be how you’ve achieved what you have in life.

    2. Climbing has been the vehicle to get you where you are in life. Your writings and passion of late seems to focus more on BASE jumping. Is this a challenge, that is of people’s expectation, when you make a public appearance?

    Keep up the travels and good writing and climbing and, for God’s sake, be careful when jumping off things!

  • tom from poland

    you & dean are amazing!

  • steph

    Dear Zirkel,
    Thanks! To answer your questions….after you meet Fletcher, you will understand why she dominates all my thoughts :)
    And BASE jumping, right now, is where a lot of my excitement is focused. I always follow my excitement….it’s the only thing I can do.
    We are in Italy right now, climbing and BASE jumping. Hope you’re well and happy!!
    And thank you to Tom too,
    xxx Steph

  • steph

    A note from Martine:

    Sent: Tue 12/11/07 5:41 AM
    To: steph@highinfatuation.com

    Hi Steph:) I’m from Poland and I am writting to thank You for coming on our mountain festival in Cracov. It’s a big pleasure to be there, to listen Yours and Deans history about Yours passion and for me it’s very motivating to try my best with climbing. I know that I will never be good as You but I am very glad that on the world are people like You who are showing how to beat fears. I am Yours big fan beacuse You give other women exemple how to be strong, how to fight with bad circumstances and I appreciate You to be in Poland:) greetings,Martine :)

    Thanks Martine!!
    xx Steph

  • http://www.climb.pl/jaca-fotoblog Jack

    Hi Steph ;], as you said – when you gave me an autograf on my t-shirt – “you are in my team now” ohh i wished i would :) , so if you’ll find some free time and want to climb in Poland than let me know and i’ll guide you and dean through best climbing areas.
    You made impression on me how dare you are in your life, choosing dirtbag climbing life style, and going to patagonia the first time on waitressing money. I wish i’ll find such strength in my life…
    greetings Jack;]

  • steph

    a note from Dean’s mom:

    Hi Dean….what a surprise to know that you are in the land of your maternal great grandparents, Albert and Julia Tarnawa…my mother’s parents…my mom’s name is Elizabeth Tarnawa Dellert….The W in Tarnawa is pronounced like a V ………..the Dellert is Dutch in case you ever go to Holland your paternal great grandfather’s name is Theodore Dellert….

    Your Polish relatives are from a small town near Krakow called Buczkowice (pronounced: Boots-Ko-Veet-Sa). They immigrated to this country in 1910…..some of my older cousins have gone back to visit (in the 1970′s) and said we still have relatives there…..

    I’m glad to hear how well you are feeling….good luck with your work….give my best to Steph…..love, mom

  • steph

    A note from Anna:

    Hi Steph,
    How u doing?
    i wonder if you remember me from krakow…..i have spoken ruffly with you and your husband for few minutes,, me and my friend Mark also took an autograph,,,but,…like everybody else,so you may not remember us,,,but i do remember you very well,i was the girl who told you that didn’t really know you and Dan,,,,,,because i am just starting the adventure with climbing in my life..I wonted to ask you few things in the end of your show but you seems very busy…so..i hope one day……….
    in a few days i will send you a photo….so i hope that then you will recognize me….

    p.s. i was in USA few years ago,,it is a great country,,but i haven’t had the chance to visit California,,so i hope i will do it in coming July…

    Take care, hope to hear from you soon,
    Anna and Marek

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