11/24/2025 – The Very Excellent Adventures of the Cunnington-Smythes

As we bid farewell to Poland it seems apt to reflect. And reflections have landed me today, in the curious space of customer service. It isn’t always ‘nice nice’. When Polish is not your strong suite (although my Lady and I have French and German covered with all the confidence of schoolbook accuracy) you long for … patience in any interaction. Humour is a delight and the occasional conversation in English, a refreshing bonus.

Yes, you guessed it, cafes are often the place for a chat, the curious conversation and … the perfect platform to scrutinise customer service.

Yesterday gave us a wonderful opportunity for such scrutiny. We began our morning with a ‘spot on’ latte at Karma Coffee … a brisk 30 minute walk from our Airbnb along the Vistula River, past the Krakow Castle and through the broad boulevards of Planty Park, all touched by the stunning effect of winter falling from the sky: snow, so much snow.

Here, the barista greeted us like old friends and confirmed: ‘ Two lattes with regular cow’s milk? Can I tempt you with something sweet too?’ Not bad, after just three visits. We talked weather – obviously, apparently this is the first deep snowfall in three years and the locals are genuinely excited! We talked Australia – huntsmen spiders seemed to be the fearful focus and we talked … about the freshly cooked pastry that we were obliged to taste. Service. Nice. Nice.

The local deli has been another regular haunt. We have been served by three different women all named Magda. All were patient, all were helpful, and two of the Magdas were very forgiving – because only one is actually called Magda, but I only discovered that yesterday.

The local baker however does not seem to have the patience of a misnamed Magda. He is Georgian, but has a sign in his shop that says ‘ Do NOT ask me about my nationality.’ Perhaps he’s tired of explaining that he comes from Tiblisi, not Atlanta, perhaps he’s sick of people asking about the Georgian baking scene, or perhaps he’s just really rude- or at least he was yesterday. There was something about his aggressive, ‘I’m not stupid, your know’ comment yesterday that gave him away. My goodness, it is fortunate that his bread and pastries are better than just ‘nice nice’.

I was hoping to ask him if he has ever visited Josef Stalin’s neighborhood in Tiblisi but let that one go, a very wise decision … or so the good lady tells me. Farquhar, I am certain you too would have been keen for his answer.

We have loved our time in Krakow – we could have stayed longer and would gladly return for a fourth visit. There are still museums and art galleries to visit and districts to wander. I would love to sit again at Karma cafe and talk more with their beautiful barista. And I would even go back for a Georgian pastry in our neighborhood bakery – only because I’d love to learn more about how Georgians now view Stalin.

l’d just have to warn Lady C-S in advance about that conversation I suppose.