That Slovakian Slug, Polish bus road rage and thoughts on European beer

So here's the picture of the slug we encountered on our walk through the forest in Banska Bystrica early this week. That's Larna's finger you see - she bravely volunteered to hold it there - to give a sense of how big the critter was.

Just a couple of random things to report...

Yesterday, on our bus back from Auschwitz, we experienced, first hand, bus driver road rage. And I am talking here about someone driving a proper sized municipal bus, (not the mini-bus we took to Auschwitz).

We should have seen it coming. Our bus driver - a skinny, middle-aged, balding, ball of tension - drove like a bat out of hell through the narrow country roads back to Krakow beeping at pedestrians, cyclists, and swerving to avoid on coming vehicles (before beeping and muttering to himself). But when he got into the city itself, that's when he unleashed his full pent up frustrations (he must be upset about many, many things). A car, which he had cut off, hooted and swerved past the bus. The bus driver flipped the driver the finger and then proceeded to weave in and out of lanes trying to catch the guy in the blue Fiat or whichever make of car it was. Indeed, if it wasn't for the fact that he actually had to stop the bus to let people off, I am sure he would have chased the guy all over town. He did have a whole lot of religious symbols above his seat (crucifixes, pictures of the Virgin Mary etc) so perhaps he felt protected from on high. The passengers didn't though!

Today was hot and sunny and we spent most of the afternoon in a beer garden in the jewish quarter (Kazimierz) drinking (on my part, Larna had coffee and cake) the excellent local brew, Żywiec and people watching. Most entertaining was a group of about 15 Scotsmen (some in kilts) who managed to get the word "wee" (as in 'small") into every second sentence. Larna thinks they have the world's greatest accent.

The jewish quarter is full of great bars, restaurants and interesting people and is in a constant state of revival and renewal. It's bustling and lively with cafes and restaurants on every corner.

On the subject of beer, I am starting to realise that Australian beer is to European beer what sparkling wine is to French champagne. Drinking the beer here is like sampling fine wine, whereas back home it has a more primary purpose. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to give up beer back in Oz, and there are some very good boutique beers. But it's all about perspective really. It's like people who only know rugby league...and then they discover union!

Back on the subject of our travels, we have decided to spend an extra three days in Krakow rather than rush on. It's such an interesting and extraordinary place and there is so much to explore that we don't want to rush off. So we'll be here until Tuesday, when we take the train to Prague.