So for the past week I have been graced by the presence of my wonderful parents, Stuart and Kimberly. I find myself with a brand new enthusiasm for life when I have visitors from the homeland. It is so exciting because I get to experience things right along with them. As an employee in Bratislava, I don't get to do the touristy program, so when people ask me questions, I often don't know the answer. I have been extremely lucky however, because my boss has been generous in giving me time off while my parents have been here. She even gave me Tuesday and Wednesday completely off...and isn't counting those days towards my total!
Here are some things that I have discovered since the 'rents have landed:
-Flowers are cheaper in daily markets
-Slovaks are uncharacteristically friendly when they notice you speak/teach people Slanglish
-Trains are some of the most stressful and stress free modes of travel
-Food tastes better when you order it a la carte
-Jokes are funnier when someone (who is a native english speaker) is around to understand them
-International incidents make for great stories
-Mineral baths are more fun when your Mom is young at heart
-Sharing breathtaking views with people you love makes them that much more magnificent
We have been all over the Central European region. They arrived on the 3rd, then on the 5th we went to Prague for 2 days, then on the 8th we went to Vienna (we took a boat up the Danube!!!), then on the 11th we arrived in Piestany (a spa town 1 hour NE from Bratislava) Each place has represented new and exciting sights and a different experience. I've been to all of the places where we toured before (except Piestany), but I feel as if I got to see a completely different side of each place because my parents were with me. They are interested in a different type of program than my travel buddies are, and while there is some overlap, the ground covered is mostly new terrain.
Some of my favorite time with them is spent just lounging in cafes and restaurants, talking and observing the world around us.
Funny Story:
So my parents and I go to a place called Umelka, which is right on the edge of the river on the Bratislava side. They have different kinds of live music during dinner hours, and someone told us that Country Music was on Thursday, so of course we went because my parents have this thing about line dancing. (they are really cute together) Umelka specializes in grilled items so we got ourselves some kielbasa, cold cuts, salad, bread, and BEER. So far, during the course of the visit we have tried: Zlaty Bazant, Plzen, Krusovice, Starobrno, Gambrinus, Pilsner Urquell, Saris, and Kozel. Quite the different kind of tour around Central Europe. So, back to the story.
We are enjoying our food, and the band, which has 4 guys in it singing Country songs in Slovak (who knew they had country music?) We are swaying to the beat, and then my parents decide that they want to try out some of the dances they learned in their classes back in the US. I of course encourage them because I love watching them. They're just so good together :) It reinforces my belief in true love. So, they dance a couple of dances, then return to the table beaming from ear to ear. We are getting ready to go when a middle aged couple approaches us. Their English is limited, but between my pitiful Slovak and their attempted English, we find an understanding. They are complimenting my parents on their dancing, and are asking them to write down the steps to the dances so that they can do it too! Only to Stuart and Kimberly would this happen. In general, Slovak people are reserved towards people they are not familiar with. By doing a couple of line dances in front of a crowd, suddenly my parents are friends with everyone! My parents take them out of the dance floor, and start instructing :) They even switch partners so that they can show the other how the step goes. At this point I am in hysterics from joy. This is one of the best bridging of international differences I have witnessed.
Afterwards there is thanks all around, and they ask how much longer we will be in town, and we regretfully inform them that Wednesday is the end of the road, and we will be in Piešťany for the weekend. They are sad, but have their steps written down, and then they join my parents for one more dance, showing us some of their own steps that they learned in classes in Bratislava. That was one of the best nights I've had in Slovakia thus far.
5 hours ago
3 comments:
How did you and your parents like Piešťany? :)
Yes, we are on a whirlwind tour through Central Europe (I was corrected the other night - it's not Eastern Europe - that's the Ukraine). We are loving it. First, it is wonderful to see Elise in her element. This is something all her own. A trail she has blazed. No one of the family, no friends, no one who she even so much as knew, was able to prepare her, show her the way, or otherwise make it easy for her to adapt, adjust and fit in. But she has. Beautifully.
Second, it is interesting to see a new country and area of Europe. I've been all over western Europe. Lived in France, spent time in the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Italy. Taken trains, driven, stayed in hotels, in campgrounds and on beaches. But I'd never been on this side of the Alps, and so lost when it comes to language. I got along just fine in France, and even faked my way through Italy and Spain. Slovak, Czech (and even German), however, are a new experience. I'm getting the hang of it, a little bit. I'm starting to see the similarities in words, and piecing together the meanings through context. But it's different.
Finally, there's Elise's group of buddies. "Partyslava" is a group of folks, many of them interns like Elise, who get together periodically. For dinner, drinks, parties, whatever. There are "members" from England (Dom), France (Maxime), Lithuania (Vaida), Denmark (Inge, Elers and Anders), Turkey (Sarp), Sweden (Anki), Scotland (Sherisse), Portugal (Pedro), and even Slovakia (Michael). Maybe others I forgot. If so, my apologies. They are fun, lively, accepting, and a good group to hang with. Thank you to all of you for taking such good care of Elise.
The weather has cooperated (for the most part), we've tried some really good Slovak food (at the Slovak Pub!), and some REALLY good Slovak beers. And this weekend, we even discovered some very nice Slovak wines - from Mrva and Stanko. One was a lovely Merlot, and the other a very nice Pinot Noir. They were featured at the Spa in the restaurant. Fine efforts, both.
What an adventure.
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