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.

Tuesday is Castle Day

Tuesday, May 1, is a holiday in Slovakia and I will visit the Bojnice Chateau--a romantic castle is situated on the western edge of the town of Bojnice. The place is home to some of the collections of the Slovak National Museum and boasts a huge park and forest nearby with a popular zoological garden. The weather in Slovak is just like the image in this picture, sunny, warm with a few wispy clouds in the sky.

Castle Church - Wittenberg

Castle Church steeple in Wittenberg, Germany is the church  that Martin Luther reportedly  hammered his 95 Thesis on the wooden door on Reformation Day,  in 1517.

While it's beautiful inside the tower has 3' high or 1 meter letters with the words " A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

Fatra Gliding

Thanks to my pilot Brano, with 26 years of experience, I was a guest aboard a German built Discus Duo sailplane. In nine minutes we went from land to soaring in the air. We circled to gain altitude up to 2000 meters and kept flying as we crossed the highest point in the Small Fatra mountain range several times. People were standing on the summit peak below us and waving as we passed over them.

The air turbulence and motion caused me to be queasy. Sudden altitude change and banking motions played  havoc with my sense of equilibrium. However, the beauty of this motor less aircraft combined with the geography of he Fatra and Tatra mountain ranges in Slovakia account for more than 26 sailplane and gliding clubs in the country. Apart from a brief episode of air sickness the whole experience was marvelous--greater than I had imagined! I look forward to lessons this summer when I return from sabbatical to Wisconsin.

Bible Olympics

 Bible Olympiad in Martin resulted in more than 145 students taking a 100 question examination and responding to facts and stories in the Old and New Testaments.  Six youth qualified to continue on in the regional competition and are headed to Bratislava for the next round of activities. Congratulations to all who participated and joy to those who will continue.