Christmas Markets Open in Piešťany

Today marks the opening of the Christmas market in Piešťany, Slovakia.  The markets in Bratislava and Vienna, Austria opened last Friday. Personally I think there is something wonderful about a Christmas market in a small town like Piešťany.

This year the Christmas market was slightly different than last year.  The music was staged at the far end of the square and the kiosks of drinks and food were lined up one against the other on the side of the square. There was still the tasty varené víno (hot wine), cigánska kuracia, which many locals call Gypsy food, but I just call it good; grilled chicken with onions between a toasted bun, yum!  There's also lokša, basically a potato pancake or tortilla filled and rolled with duck liver or jam. 

Most of the Christmas markets in Bratislava, Vienna and Prague will have rows and rows of Christmas gifts and items but in Piešťany, it is an opportunity to meet and greet people in town you may or may not see all year.  There is something very comforting about just running into someone and saying "Happy Christmas" or Ahoj, Cau or Dobrý Večer (Good Evening). 

The Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is topped off with music and dancing by local Slovak traditional troupes and is "the place to be" when the tree is lit for Advent. This year I ran into one of the Skypers Language School Germany language teachers Eva, with her daughter and a friend.

Christmas Tree in Piešťany square

Mikulás (St. Nick) in tennis shoes

Even Mikulás made an appearance at the opening of the Christmas markets. Mikulás usually arrives on 6 January to fill the boots of "good children" with candy.  The children put clean boots in their window in the hopes of receiving goodies.

In Piešťany, Christmas is now officially underway.  Happy Christmas!

Victoria Regia in Piestany, Slovakia

Are we having fun yet?

This weekend was the 20th annual flower arranging competition, Victoria Regia, culminating in a traditional flower parade from spa island through the town of Piestany.  The Victoria Regia is the largest floral event in Slovakia and marks the end of the summer season. 

I stood fixed in position along the spa bridge with my camera aimed and ready to fire at the participating floats as they slowly made their way across the Vah. After a slight rain shower the sun came out and the day finished quite nicely. 

Here's a few photos for those of you who can't get enough of parades (in any country).


What parade isn't complete without a marching band?

And Fairies of course!

After the parade the main floats were on display in the town square where one can get up close and personal with the characters.

The berries on the apple looked good enough to eat

A homage to Monsters, Inc.

RobinsGreatAdventure Update...The Plot Is Not Only Thick, It's Gulas

The Plot Is Not Only Thick, It's Gulas

In my last update I had my casts off and was on the long, long road to recovery.  Unfortunately I can't really do much more than from my last update except the therapy must be loosening somethings because I had to have five of the six wires in my wrists removed.  I was hoping to have the sixth removed but the doctor wants to keep it in for a while longer.  I do have a little more flexibility but am still lacking strength.  It will take a while to build my muscles back up.

I will need some additional assistance for a week and the lovely Renata, who helped me during the time I had casts on, will once again come every morning.  27 September (ironically 3 months from the date of my accident), the stitches will be removed.  Therapy might be as long as six months. Ugh! 

The good news is, I am back full-time with old and new students and have a part-time gig with a dental firm catering to UK patients; updating their website, customer service contact and social media planning.  The staff is very thoughtful and I'm enjoying keeping up my marketing skills.

Summer is winding down in Piestany and tomorrow we will have the parade of flowers, so look for another post really soon with pics! 

The Plot Thickens

Well, the casts are off my arms with mixed blessings. There may be some issues with my right wrist ever gaining full movement and one of the wires put in to keep my bones together on my left wrist worked its way through my skin and had to be removed.  

It's been a week now and I'm still in therapy to regain movement and strength.  I am fairly sufficient and yesterday was able to open doors to my flat.  The road to full recovery will be a long one and I'll know more in about six weeks.

My Slovak family is taking good care of me.  I feel so fortunate to have their encouragement and support.

Thank you to all who have sent notes and asked after me. It really helps to hear from friends and family.    

I've been working over the summer and even though I've missed out on warm days, I'm looking forward to the new school year, new students and new adventures.  Keep watch for future posts on my great adventure in Slovakia.  

Plot Twist with Many Thanks to Skypers and Friends

26 June 2013 will forever be embedded in my memory.  I saw a great performance by Iron Maiden (read my review) and on my trip home was spooked by someone resulting in me running, falling down and breaking both my wrists.  After four weeks and an operation on both wrists inserting pins into each, I'm only one-sixth the way through the six month healing process.

I now have permanent casts for another four weeks, then therapy with wrist braces...then after three months back to the hospital to take the pins out. 

Why the term plot twist? Well, I had planned to return to the U.S. on 26 July which is now impossible. The good news out of all this is I will be able to stay in Slovakia and teach for another year! I'm quite excited about this new twist to my adventure story even though it is an awful way to make it happen.

Slovak Kindness

I would never have been able to get through this without the help from Peter Remis and the Skypers Language School teachers, my students and friends. Since the beginning of this ordeal, everyone I know here in Piestany has been fantastic.  I'm really not able to take care of myself so needing to trust and have patience (neither is easy for me) has been a daily process and will be for some time to come.

Medical Treatment

Many of my family and friends, in the U.S. and in Slovakia have asked me what I think about the medical system and my hospital experience. 

In the cities I've lived in, most recently Boston, the medical facilities are modern with state-of-the-art equipment and the medical visits and process is fairly efficient.  However, you pay for all your treatments, visit, hospital stays at a premium.  Even with health insurance, I would still have had to pay thousands of dollars in medical bills.

The hospital in Piestany isn't modern but is clean and the staff was courteous and helpful. The waiting rooms are packed with people and can take up to four hours to see a physician. However, I haven't had to pay a dime except for a "tip" to my doctor which was minimal.  The most difficult thing is the language barrier.  Trying to understand your medical situation by translation can be confusing.

I'll continue to blog about this new plot twist in my life.  Please feel free to comment below.

900 Year Celebrations in Piestany, Slovakia

Lily Pool on Spa Island

With the sun glistening through the clouds and lightly sprinkles of rain coming down, the 900 year city celebrations in Piestany, Slovakia have begun.

This weekend spa island hosts a craft fair with traditional Slovak singers and dancers, rows and rows of  craft booths highlighting wood making, pottery and specialty crafts like metal artistry.

Throughout the town, city dwellers and tourists enjoy the spring afternoon with ice cream cones and water play.

The celebrations will continue throughout the summer season and into fall.

Traditional Folk Music

Dancers Waiting to Perform

Plying the Trade

Playing in the Water Fountain

Enjoying Ice Cream

Cube Artist Martin Sevcovic Gallery Opening at Magna

One of the greatest enjoyments I have had living in Slovakia is experiencing the culture.  Last night I was invited by one of my English students, Adriana Drahovska, to the opening of a young artist, Martin Sevcovic at the Magna Gallery in Piestany.  The gallery is owned by Kursalon and Adriana’s sister Dagmar (pictured below) is the manager.

Adriana (left), and Dagmar Ondkova (center)
introducing Martin Sevcovic (right) at Magna Gallery, 1 March 

Mr. Sevcovic’s work from 2006 through 2012 will be displayed in the gallery during March.  The artist is showing his progression over the six years culminating in the cubist form shown below.

Martin Sevcovic 2012

The evening was topped off by a glass of wine at a local jazz club.  Just another wonderful memory of my current home in Piestany.

Slovakia's Winter Wonderland

It has been a while since my last post.  I've been struggling with a cold and after a day of classes, I just want to come back to my flat and sleep.

I have been able to take a few photos of Slovakia's winter wonderland in Piestany and nearby Zilina.  Here are some photos for your enjoyment.  There are many parks weaving throughout Piestany dotted with sculptures and monuments.  It was lovely to walk down the paths blanketed with snow.

Zilina

The region of Zilina adjoins Poland to the North and the Czech Republic to the West at the base of the Mala Fatra mountain's. Zilina is the third largest city in Slovakia (Bratislava is first and the capital and Kosice is second, located in the East).

The restored 14th century buildings in the Farska Square are the Old Town Hall and Baroque Church of St. Paul (Pavel). 

On a hillside at the West end of the town stands St. Church of St. Stephen (Stefana), one of the oldest in Slovakia.

Christmas Markets Open in Slovakia

'Tis the season of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, sleigh bells ringing and the voices of children singing Christmas carols.  In Slovakia it is time for the Christmas markets.  The season is marked by Advent in this primarily Catholic country.  The lighting of the village Christmas tree begins the Christmas markets.  

Christmas Tree in Piestany

At around 4pm, just as the sun is setting, the tree was lit in the main square followed by children dancing and local bands playing Christmas favorites such as Silent Night and traditional Slovak folk music.

The Christmas market size really depends on the village community.  In Piestany the tradition is only about 10 or 11 years old.  The Christmas market began in large cities like Bratislava, post Soviet rule, but has moved to all villages across the country.

Christmas Market in full swing

In the markets you will find Grog (hot rum), Punc (wine & rum punch) or mulled (hot) wine.  Try a glass of your favorite drink with Lokse, a potato pancake filled with savory goose liver or cabbage.  The pancake is made with flour, egg and boiled mashed potatoes. The mixture is put into a hot pan but not fried. I tried both the liver and cabbage and was pleasantly surprised.  I really enjoyed the taste. Normally I wouldn't even try liver but this was quite good. There are plenty of homemade cakes and cookies too.

Punc (Punch) Hot Wine with Rum

Lights in the park square

Getting Ready for 2013

The Christmas markets will be open through Advent.  This is one tradition in Slovakia I can really get behind; hot drinks, home made cakes, Lokse and of course, everyone meeting and greeting to wish each other a wonderful holiday.

Piestany, Spa City of Europe

Well, it has been a while since my last post.  I've been very busy with a new ESL teaching position and move to a new school and flat in Piestany, Slovakia.  Piestany is known as one of the premiere health resorts and spa in Europe.  It is quite small at 30,000 population, but vibrant with many cultural and artistic programs, museums and of course, spa island. People travel to Piestany for many treatments especially rheumatic and arthritic conditions. 

River Vah in Piestany

Piestany is located about 45 minutes northwest of Bratislava on the River Vah.  It is quite a beautiful and quiet village.  Many expats are located here and people come from all over Europe to enjoy what the spa has to offer.

Now that I'm settled in Piestany I will be providing more photos and cultural activities.

Why the move?  Although Trencin is a lovely city, the living accommodations were not adequate and the school didn't really suit me.  At Skypers, I'm able to really use all my background in business and teaching skills to their best advantage.  I am teaching business communication classes with several local companies and have individual students.  My hours are much more manageable and the other teachers and owner, Peter Remis, are a pleasure to work with.

My flat is quite nice and the owner, Anna, is becoming a good friend.  All in all it has been a great move for me.  This is what happens when you travel to another country.  Sometimes it takes a while to find the right fit that works for you and your lifestyle.  My recommendation is to not give up and keep searching for the right position.  I've added the Skypers link to My Favorite links or you can click on this link to check out the school.  I asked Peter where the name Skypers comes from and he said, "The Sky (being the limit) and PER is his initials".  Pretty cool I think. Skypers also has Facebook page so be sure to check it out.

I have had some time to check out the neighborhood a bit.  Anna took me to Beckov Castle and we had lunch at their famous restaurant (best meal yet in Slovakia).  It was a beautiful fall day.  The pics don't really do it justice.  The castle is currently being restored so I wasn't able to climb to the top.  The pool area is part of a spa and many weddings are performed outside during the summer.  The castle sits on top of a 230 ft rock towering over the little village of Bechov below. The structure dates back to the 12th century and was used as a link between Hungarian fortifications and the Vah river.  In 1729 the fortress burned down and was never rebuilt. There is an upper castle and two palaces and chapel.  

Look for more pics and travel comments.  I need to plan a holiday vacation so give me some good ideas in the comment section!

Beckov Castle Pool

Beckov Castle