The Dunajec is the major river that runs through the region in southern Poland known as Spisz (pronounced "Speesh"). "Rafting" (for lack of a better word) down the Dunajec has been a tourist tradition for years.

The rafts/boats used are similar to those of a hundred years ago, when logs were simply hollowed out and strapped together. They seat twelve and thump along in the water with the gracefulness of a pigeon-toed fat man.

The boatsmen are dressed in semi-traditional clothes and provide a bit of information as the boats float down the river.

For Americans accustomed to the idea of the risk of being sued for any little accident, the most striking thing is the absence of life jackets.

Wow! Only 1 week left before the wedding — which promises to be quite a gala affair. We keep asking if we should be touring when there may be so much stuff yet to do for the wedding, but were assured that all the work that could be done ahead was done and the rest had to happen only when we reached the time. Anyway, we were off again today.

We went white water rafting! Well, what we would call a mild white water rafting. Actually, we went rafting in a "boat" made up of five little boats bound together like a raft. There were 10 of us on board — twelve with the two men who handled the poles and guided the "boat." Essentially, what you do is get into these 5 section "boats" and float down on a rather fast moving river. It took about 2 hours and we got a little wet sometimes but had quite an adventure. The scenery was beautiful between the mountains down a meandering river.

"You don't wear life jackets?", 'Omi was sort of muttering under her breadth. But then the water was only a few feet deep in most places that all you have to have done was stand up if you fell overboard.

It started to mist then rain but Kinga had remembered to bring each of us a rain slicker or poncho. 'Omi and I huddled together and enjoyed the incredible beauty of this rapidly moving river through the mountain — some with huge rocky crags rising 40, 50 or 60 meters up in the air.

After landing, we had a hot cup of coffee to warm us up after getting a little wet then hopped into private bus for the trip back to where we left the car. All in all it was beautiful, adventurous and exhilarating.