Terrific Weekend

Sunday was beautiful: sunshine, warm weather, flowers and fields blossoming with life. One of my university students invited me to her village for church and dinner with her family.

The town is Rajac. Worship at the Catholic church was standing room only.The priest was young--maybe 40. I saw more families at this church than any church I've visited in Slovakia. There were three baptisms.

After church we returned to her house where her sister and brother and their families arrived. Mom made dinner: pigeon and beef soup, chicken and duck with dumplings and red cabbage gravy. After dinner we went outside past her family garden and chickens, ducks, pigeons and two pigs, and gathered inside the wood patio with desert and  drinks. Surrounded by blossoming fruit trees we relaxed and visited and doted over the infant. It was a wonderful Slovak day with a special family. Thanks for the wonderful memory and delicious meal.

Slovensky Bethlehem

Slovensky Bethlehem is a labor of love carved out of soft wood by a single man in the small village of Rajecka Lesna. I visited it today with a student, her boyfriend and sister. It was amazing. Dozens of moving parts--maybe 24--as scenes from the town and rural life of Slovakia are portrayed across a 45' display. Castles and monuments along the top travel across the country of Slovak from west to east and below are the images of town and rural life including men, women, children, animals, trades, guilds, worship and culture. It was simply wonderful. Thank you Ivana, Michal, and Katka for taking me to see this folk gem. 

Castle Maiden

While visiting the Chateau Bojnice in Slovakia I met the young maiden Lucina, and vowed my protection against all who might wish ill will upon her. No doubt, as the picture attests, she was comforted by my nobility.

Habibi Cafe - Martin, Slovakia

Next door to where I live and work is a small cafe. The name  is Habibi and means "my dear one."

I've become a regular. I eat my grilled panini sandwich with tomatoes and cucumber salad, and white wine  here three or four nights a week. The staff knows me by name. Marie has introduced me to her two daughters and Sylvia stopped by on her roller blades tonight to join me at dusk and visit as I finished my meal.

I've really like living here. I'll be sad to leave in a week. Life in Slovakia is different than America and the pace, and by that I mean the pedestrian pace, of life slows you down to see your surroundings. A small neighborhood and town square becomes your piece of geography.You learn it well when you review it step by step every day. I've come to recognize the folks who come and go. The children, the teachers,  the students walking hand in hand, even some of the parents. They greet me with the typical Slovak word "ahoy," and I wave and greet them back.

Slovak Train Station Wine Shop

Martin, Slovakia has everything. I mean "everything!"

 This afternoon after lunch I walked to the train station and arrived about an hour early. To my surprise, I discovered the most beautiful little wine shop just three doors down from the train station. Tucked into the building and taking up all of 300 square feet rests a "find!"

I had never seen it before today--really! It was warm. The sun was out. Plants and empty wine bottles delightfully lined the three steps up to the shop next to the small blackboard sign with specials. And, of course, greeting me at the top of the steps,standing shyly near the door was  was the lady wine merchant. She looked my age. She had character.  I just had to go inside. I couldn't walk away and ignore her welcome. So, I was that polite American. I stopped walking. I turned around went back to the steps of her shop and greeted her in Slovak. After all, she had the warmest smile--nuanced just like the wine.

I walked up the steps and inside I found a delight.Wine by the glass--a full glass mind you--for .27 euro--that's about 40cents!!!! Well, I had time. The train eventually arrived late. So I bought a cool glass of Slovak wine and set myself down on the steps next to the plants and blackboard sign. It was meant to be. I was part of the ambiance. I was a symbol of the European life that takes time to savor the grape, the sun, and the beauty of the day. In fact, I did myself a favor and savored three glasses of wine and still made my train on time!

Thomas the Train

This little boy became my friend as we shared the train ride today. It was lots of fun because in 58 minutes we went through  flat farm fields, then up into the hills, and then under a great mountain. In fact, in about half an hour we passed through 23 tunnels. Yep, I counted them on a piece of paper and the longest tunnel was 5 minutes at about 40 miles per hour.  The trip was beautiful with wonderful Douglas Fir forests, mountain creeks and rivers, tall sandstone cliffs with climbers on their sharp edged sides. Slovakia is beautiful and reminds me so much of my home state of Oregon that even I get a bit homesick.

Slovak Labor Day Celebration

Labor Day Celebration in the town square of Banska Bystrica was a colorful day of singing and dancing in the warm sunshine. These girls allowed me to photograph them but not before considering if they really wanted me to or not. Thanks to an older sister or dancer they agreed. They are delightful!

The event raised a large pole tree in the town with the top 15 feet decorated. Then the Prime Minister of Slovakia--their president--spoke and the people, many enjoying the shade and refreshments of a dozen outdoor cafes around the town square looked on and kept talking. Enjoy the photos and imagine the songs as young girls and boys celebrate their national history.