The next part of the journey was an overnight train ride from Prague to Krakow, Poland. I was in a sleeper car- comfortable but crowded.

I checked into a fine hotel that was 90,000 zlotys a night, about $ 8.40.  Free elections were being held – Poland had the first free elections about a year before.

Walesa, one of two Poles responsible for the collapse of Communism , ( the other being Pope John Paul II) was President at the time, and lost the election.

Comrade Stalin on the line from Moscow !

Wawel Cathedral – Where John Paul II was Cardinal.

The Black Madonna.

The exchange rate was very advantageous for those with Western currency. Hotels for $ 8, lunch 25 cents, a dollar for dinner. I treated an entire bar of college students to a round of vodka for $2.50.

Train Schedule for all of Poland.

End of The Line – A Place of Pure Evil.

Auschwitz-Birkenau. I took far worse pictures that are inappropriate for this forum.

Prague, October,1990.  A beautiful Indian Summer day. The Velvet Revolution is still less than a year old. Cezechoslovakia is still one country – the “Velvet Divorce ” took place in January,1993.  This timeless scene, on Karlova Most could have been from 1968 in almost any part of Western Europe. However , 1968 in Prague was the time of bloody Soviet repression to retaliate for a brief experiment with freedom. Finally, more than 20 years later, the freedom of the 1960’s could be celebrated. This group was singing long-forbidden Beatles songs.

Freedom of Expression. This was before the Yugoslavian Wars.

One of Communism’s benefits – no ugly signs on historical facades.

While his country is now free – One man voluntarily gives up his freedom !

Berlin, a few days after  reunification. Parts of the Wall still stand, soon to be chooped up into millions of tiny pieces for sale at $ 10 each.

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Spoils of the Cold War for the Western victors – the symbols of  non-existent East Germany – swept into the Dustbin of History.

The Dresden Cathedral, still blackened and destroyed by American bombing n 1945 – soon to be restored to its’ former glory.

The First Free Election in a United Germany.

The Reichstag – in 1990, still burned inside  -in 2000,  after restoration, was the seat of German power once again.

The River Spree.

The Trabi – a car that ran on a 2 stroke engine ( like that of a lawn mower ) and had a 15 year waiting list

In October of 1990, just after official German Reunification, I traveled from Berlin, in the former East Germany, to Czechoslovakia ( now two nations) ,Poland,Hungary and Romania. While today the Eastern countries are much a part of the modern world, the East 20 years ago was a group of lands newly awakened from a long and stifling slumber.

In the next few days, ArcticTropic will feature a photo series  – Eastern Europe at the Fall Of Communism – to be interspersed with our regular adventure news and updates. Eastern European travel at the time was an adventurous undertaking, given the lack of infrastructure, the lack of any understanding of tourism and the unfamiliarity of many people with the outside world.

Latvia is not a country of high adventure, but with modern cites in close approximation to old Northern European villages and countryside, it is a great place to hunt and enjoy simplicity on the beaches.

Right now ArcticTropic currently has only one location in Latvia – with room for many more! Go HERE to visit the sites directly.

A small peaceful Baltic nation with great hunting in the wintertime – wild boar and red deer.

ArcticTropic currently has two locations in Lithuania – with room for many more! Go HERE to visit the sites directly.

Estonia is not the most adventurous country, though included by ArcticTropic because it is old Unspoiled Europe.

Beyond Prague, the outdoors beckons. ArcticTropic has two hunting lodges and one ski area included now – please suggest any more that should be listed.

Croatia is a great economic alternative to Euroland. Right now ArcticTropic has three listings – one for the sea, one for hunting and another for fly fishing. Please suggest additions below.

The Rhodope mountains,part of the Balkan chain,offer great skiing,snowboarding – and in the summer – excellent vineyards. ArcticTropic has Three locations in Bulgaria.