Salt Mines

Pictures: Craig's

One of the major tourist attractions in Krakow's vicinity are giant salt mines. Although closed now, they were used for centuries, bringing wealth to the area. 20 million years ago, a salty sea - as it disappeared - deposited massive salt deposits. Now 10-200 meters below ground (tectonic shifts put them there), the salt deposits have been mined, leaving huge caverns. People had the bright idea to create salt-chapels and salt-carvings while mining (for the miners to enjoy). This has made it into the tourist attraction it is today.
We wandered around the train station a bit before buying a ticket (~$1) to Wieliczka where the mines are located. As we looked aimlessly around, drivers would offer to take us to the mines. "How much?", we asked. 75 Zlotys each! That's about $50 for the two of us! What a rip off...These guys just sit around the station, hoping to catch some tourist unawares and take'm on a 15km ride for $50!!!


CUSTOMER SERVICE
As an aside, I've found a huge difference in the way customers are treated in many places we've visited. We're always met with scowls, grumbling, and yet eventual service. I don't think it's just tourists either; I've seen many locals receive the same shoddy service. Maybe these people are paid crap wages and therefore don't perform as well, or they're just miserable, or they just don't think good customer service is beneficial to business, or all of the above. One way or another, I'm glad that businesses (generally) treat customers well back home and I'll be happy to receive that level of service in less than 3 weeks. We always felt Korea had great service, often giving us better service than they gave locals!