Today Poles buried their President and first lady in the Cathedral in the ancient crypt at Wawel castle. 

There were 10,000 people crowding the historic Rynek city center in Krakow, thousands more in the streets, and an estimated 1 million people gathered in the main square in Warsaw to watch remotely via TV.

The young, old, rich, and poor all mourned in their own way as the tragedy impacted all in Poland.

However, the national unity --shown just after the air crash--began to crack as the majority of Krakovites were against buring President Kaczynski and his wife at  Wawel.   Until today--only Kings, Queens and great Polish heroes of yore were lain to rest there.  Politicians are buried in Warsaw.  Many in Krakow suspect Kaczynski’s twin brother, Jaroslaw, of making the President a saint; rather than a decision made by the Church or State.

The debate was civil and shows how far Poland has come as a fledgling democracy.

Politics aside, the Poles hope for better days ahead--- today's sadness was mixed with sunshine as spring finally bloomed in Krakow!

~ an American in Krakow