After the fall of the Iron Curtain and the "amicable" divorce from the Czech Republic, Slovakia has started to come out from the shadows of its more popular neighbors. The beauty of the country rests in its ability to retain its old world charm while advancing into the 21st century.
Ruins of Cachtice Castle, home of Elsbeth Bathory, an influence to Bram Stoker's Dracula. The legend was that she would kill and drain the blood of young virgins, and bathe in their blood in order to maintain eternal youth and beauty. Lets just say it didnt work out for her...... I did however have the urge to tee up a golf ball and hit the village below.
1. Entry to Bratislava's Hrad (castle) 2. Local street dweller 3. Spis Castle - If you look to the lower right, you'll see an arrangement of stones. The "legend" behind it is that a drunken englishman went ahead and arranged the stones to resemble a deer. It looked more like a demented moose, but still funny to see this at the foot of a UNESCO world heritage site.
I remember taking the train from Vienna to Bratislava about 2002. A few of these photos look familiar, but I would need to look at a map to remember where. Since they are getting better highways than we have and nice new buses I don't really think of it as old or iron curtain-ish anymore ! In 2009, I drove all over these areas and over to Ukraine and back. Nice to see all the big western chain stores invaded everywhere too. Fortunately, they have Palinka and Beer.
Its definitely moved forward from the old world. have you had the opportunity to try the slivovica? a nice plum vodka basically, best made by the locals in the villages.....
I am sure I must have had it, its an imperative I tray all sorts of drinks I think its great that Europeans still have the freedom to make Booz at home !
Kinda have the freedom, but yep still nice to drink some of the family's secret blends.......My grandfather used to have a blend that would make your eyes water from the vapor as you brought the glass to your mouth. But it is sooooooooo smooth. While he was alive, he distilled it for German soldiers that occupied his village during world war 2. He passed away a few yrs ago, but there was one more batch left that the family still enjoys 70 yrs after he made it.
It's a nice day trip from Vienna. We took a bus one way, and the hydrofoil back along the river. Had a local walking tour, and a nice lunch.
I've got this: first thing we saw as we arrive the city A picture in the train station that reminded me of the communist regime... even if it doesnt have such implications
By all means there are still reminders out there. ESPECIALLY the soviet era apartment housing blocks.
I like the grimy buildings on Stefanikova between the train station and the old city. And of course Napoleon in the main square.
We spent a two days in Bratislava in Nov 2009. For us the local wine was the most remarkable, with a number of unique varieties that were quite good. St Martin's Cathedral: Schoener Naci (Beautiful Ignaz), during the Christmas markets
This is the older, classic theater. A new opera theater has been built, opened in 2007 I think: As in the case in Copenhagen, both the old and new theaters are used.
A Holiday tradition in many Slovakian villages, a priest will walk door to door and offering to bless peoples homes for the coming year. Usually done in the early part of January.
Attending Sunday Mass in a very ornate church where the first stones were laid in the mid 1700's, and rebuilt due to fire and war. The village dates back to the 1290's-early 1300's. Approaching the Tatry Mountains In 2004 (or 05?) straighline winds thought to be a "hurricane" by local definition, or possibly a tornado tore threw the foot hills of the Tatry range and obliterated a forest for several miles around. No photo can demonstrate the impressive damage.
Here are some of my faves from October 2008: View from Hotel Kyjev My room at Hotel Kyjev Manhole cover "Paparazzi" [anyone know the name of this one?]
"Rubberneck" with cigarette US Embassy holds a special place in my heart - got extra pages added to my passport for FREE! Autumn color Koruna
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