Three Fish

Today my average visit to METRO of once a year has been filled. Christmas dinner ingredients, some chocolates, more chocolates. Some cheese, more cheese. Water, beer, etc. All done apart from some ingredients which I am not willing to buy in bulk. I fell in line to pay. The cashier, as nice as she is, called a colleague and tried to explain me that they have a Christmas offer in which I get a bottle of Hubert with every purchase of 99Euros. Showing me a picture of the offer, it featured three bottles of Hubert and a fish. In between we had some other things to sort but it is beyond the story of the fish. So I paid and got three bottles of Hubert free. A stamp goes to my bill which states I could get a fish, a carp in particular. I wonder where, but they are conveniently located at the exit. Upon presenting my bill outside, they informed me that I get three fishes (is that grammatically correct?) and if I would like small or big, then they retracted and said well, there is no difference at all anyway. They have two huge bubbly containers full of swimming fish. When they showed me the FIRST fish, I begged them to give me a small one. No small one. Into the plastic bag goes the fish, then into an empty Hubert box. Then came the second into a second bag, into a second box. Then came the third into a third bag, into a third box.   My lips started to pull out into a smile; my brain mixing the gray and white parts somewhere: WHAT IS WITH THEM AND FISH????? So fish jumping and all, I took them into the back seat.

Still lost on what to do with the fish (my freezer is definitely packed already without them), I went to pick up Adrian and luckily met his favorite teacher. I offered her if she would like to have a big carp some 50 cms in length. She said that she would not clean it but her husband would, so there goes one carp. Ooops it fell because it jumped. One fish gone and one to go (I intend to keep one). I ring the doorbell of my Slovak neighbor and asked them if they want to have a carp. Oh, ah ok thanks.

The puzzle never left me why they are giving away fish. Not any kind of fish but a carp. Not any kind of carp, but a huge one to feed 10 people. Then I remember! In my slovak class I once asked my teacher what is a typical Slovak Christmas Dinner. Voila!  Fried Carp and potato salad! Now I DO know! So the third fish is still there in the bag in the box, breathing,  and waiting for me.  What should I do?  Then a lifesaver came as hubby just got home with a colleague who loves to eat fish and I gave him the big, beautiful, breathing, boxed fish.

I am happy with the three Huberts.

Happy fishing!

Putting up the Christmas Tree

First of all, we from the tropics unfortunately do not have the real Christmas tree. In fact that could even be one of the reasons why we put up our plastic ones quite early. They just never lose their pine leaves. Hmmm, I doubt it though. We just like the feeling of Christmas as early as possible. So when the BER-months strike, it is time to put up a tree.

In comparison, the childhood Christmas of hubby was celebrated quite 'germanly'. With the Advent Wreath and Advent Calendar, they wait patiently for Christmas. Christmas decorations inside and around the house but no Christmas Tree. The tradition is that Christmas trees should not be decorated until Christmas eve. This persists still. On the 24th of December, Stephan and his brothers were not allowed to enter the "Herrenzimmer", the formal living room. Only when their father rang the bell sometime at 6pm, then they were to come in and see and admire the tree. Of course, the gifts under the tree get their attention much more than the tree itself. Their Christmas Bescherung (giving of gifts) starts.

Here in Slovakia, the only person I asked how they do it is my Slovak teacher and she confirmed that it is the same as in Germany.

We personally decorate our tree with the trimmings from his childhood like the three very big glass balls, and some favorite figures of his; some ornaments collected from different parts of the world like the glass balls and bells from Palestine, some figures from Australia and New Zealand; ribbon from El Salvador; little handmade angels given as gift from his mother; some glass droplets from his Nanny; finish it with lametta to signify snow; and we top it with a star made out of capiz shell from the Philippines.

Ah and we never wait for Christmas eve to put it up!!!

Happy decorating!

Schools in Bratislava

In one of my posts I mentioned about an older post regarding schools in Bratislava and after checking my blog, I realized that it does not exist at all. Sorry.

When we arrived, it was obvious for us that Adrian would be attending Kindergarten in the German School. It is small, cozy and young, both kindergarten and school. It was paradise for us that Adrian can finally experience what we always wanted him to have. A kindergarten which is more play and learn than learn and learn as what he had in Asia. I salute the German School for its gradual increase in students, but the last two years, they have tremendous increase in number of students that they have to open a new class in the kindergarten. All being prepared for entrance to grade school. And this year it has been a fully accredited school by Slovakia. Success is mild but underway.

Luckily, it was easy or no question at all where Adrian would go. After asking around, I know that the Danes and Japanese has similar teaching methods with the Americans and the Spanish with the French. But what about those other nationalities in which they are neither German, nor British, nor American, nor French and has to decide which school is best for their child. There are lots of factors (financial, future university, location, language, quality, existence of similar school in another country, etc) for this and is always a personal decision what to choose. But I will make this blog short and give one opinion what my husband said, "Choosing the school of your child is not letting him learn an extra language but fully bracing the culture of that school."

With that I hope it makes it clearer where your child will attend school.

Happy schooling!

Advent Calendar and Advent Wreath

Being married to a German I was luckily introduced to two very old German traditions: the Adventskalendar and Adventskranz, Advent Calendar and Advent Wreath, respectively.

The Advent Wreath consists of some pine leaves four candles and originally three of them purple representing penance and a pink for the hope of the upcoming joy. The four candles represent the four Sundays before Christmas. Each Sunday one of the purple candles is lighted. And during that week only that candle is being lighted. On the last Sunday before Christmas, the pink candle is lighted. On Christmas eve, all the candles are changed into white. In accordance with this there is a small poem which goes:

Advent, Advent ein Lichtlein brennt
erst eins, dann zwei, dann drei, dann vier
dann steht das Christkind vor der Tuer!

I will try hard to translate:
Advent, Adven, a small light burns
First one, then two, then three, then four
then Baby Jesus is at the door.

Then we have an additional line to it:
Und wenn das fuenfte Lichtlein brennt
dann hast du Weihnachten verpennt.

And when the fifth little light is burned
well, you have just missed Christmas!


Ever wonder why those boxed Advents Calendar filled with chocolates are being sold before Christmas? Apparently in the olden days, old Lutheran families would count down the days by marking their door with a chalk line. Why the door? Because Child Jesus arrives at the door. Stephan has a very old frame which is filled with little doors and he opened one door every day to see what is behind that door, a small picture pertaining to Christmas. In Fiji, we had nothing like this so I had the seamstress or was it my household helper make small pockets decorated with shining gold numbers at random. Along a string we hanged them and each day of December, I opened one pocket. At night, I sneaked in to touch the pocket what will the next day bring me. Mostly during Christmas parents are more lax on giving their children sweets, so in those little pockets were few pieces of candy. It was a treat if I found snickers or a lipstick in it! Our helper and guard, both Salvadoreños and do not know the tradition, got everyday together with me some sweets placed upon their entrance to our house to start their working day.

So there you go. Get ready to buy the Wreath (can make it yourself too) and the Adventskalendar which I just bought one for Adrian at lunch today.

Happy Advent!

Law change gives younger drivers a go - The Slovak Spectator

Law change gives younger drivers a go - The Slovak Spectator

Eating Indian

Visiting recently a restaurant with an Indian inspired menu, it reminded me to make a post about the three Indian restaurants I know here in Bratislava.

Long time ago, I ate in Ganesh Restaurant, then still located at the center. On two successive days I was there, once at the buffet and once for fine dining. The lunch buffet was made to attract the working crowd and is done at the upper floor of the restaurant. Priced at 5 Euros, one gets rice, dhal, Indian bread, and choose from a veggie dish or meat dish. Not sure if there was dessert. For the fine dining downstairs, the place was beautifully and stylishly Indian decorated. Much to my disappointment, the food was on the sweet side. I have never been back since then.

A new restaurant called Bacchus, with an unending range of wine choices, Indian and Slovak cuisine and the undeniably exquisite brick tunnel ambiance was great. I have been there three times, first to taste, then on invitation and third for a farewell to someone. With these three visits, I have done my trial and error on ordering. The Indian food was good but it was not to what I was used to in India. Great to stick here on curries.

My favorite one is a small sneaky place called Ashoka. Not exactly my taste how they did the interior but it is the food which makes me keep on coming back. The Palak Paneer is so good I always wish for another one. The butter chicken so creamy and homely. And when I eat there and the lady owner in her saree is keeping me company, it just reminds me of the good old days in Dehradun.

Ah I believe I have tasted an Indian fastfood too in Aupark. Unless you are really craving for Indian food......well.

Happy eating!

Romeo a Julia by Balet Bratislava

If I did not know a Filipina ballet dancer member of the Balet Bratislava, I would have probably not gone to watch Romeo a Julia last night nor at any other night. In fact I was already heading towards Eurovea because of being used to watching at the Slovak National Theater. But last night it was in Nova Scena, a small quaint theater near the Presidential Palace.

I am not an art critic but what we saw last night was a very modern choreography of Romeo a Julia. We are in awe with the presentation of the story. It was fresh, very fresh, simple but just so beautiful. The dancers are so perfectly graceful and the expressions were just rolled in one great performance. And how they gave it all was seen in the faces of the audiences. Never have we in Bratislava experienced a standing ovation as long and as appreciated as this one. Well deserved!

Happy watching!

High Tatras

I have been back after 6 weeks of vacation and on the last weeks of the school holidays, all Slovaks are heading to the High Tatras. Can someone tell me why?

Thai food restaurant in Bratislava, cocktail bar, downtown Bratislava

Thai food restaurant in Bratislava, cocktail bar, downtown Bratislava

President of the Slovak Republic - Open Day in the Presidential Palace, Friday, 10 June 2011

President of the Slovak Republic - Open Day in the Presidential Palace, Friday, 10 June 2011

Ordering in a Restaurant

Some three weeks ago, I was sitting in a cafe with a friend who is married to a Slovak. We did not have lots of time and I started to wave at the waiter. My friend informed me that in Slovakia, one does not raise a hand to get the attention of your server. Upps!

I started to disseminate this information. Just a little bit too late when we were calling the waiter yesterday to order our lunch. The waiter spoke German and grunted and shouted as his reaction to my husbands waiving him so we can order.´It was not a nice situation and he continued to complain and made really a big scene out of it. The restaurant was at the very center of the city and most of its clients were Austrians at the moment. They started looking as if what is wrong with this waiter. He even pointed us to go to McDonald´s. But we are not to be deterred by this and we wanted to complain to the manager. However, the waiter came calmly back, professional and serious. Perhaps it occurred to him that we are not locals after all and cannot know all their culture and do´s and don´ts of their country.

Happy ordering!

What we did last Easter

Yes it is just super late. But the social life of an expat is nothing close to the Presidents. We are just busier!

Our stay in Bratislava has been a little short of 18 months and surprisingly we have not planned any travel for Easter. Perhaps because of our upcoming long summer holiday in Asia, we were not so keen on moving. So we decided to relax and enjoy our flat, view and Bratislava on one condition. Everyday, we are going to eat in a restaurant.

The first day of our 7-day worry free week, Easter Saturday, started at home, with sunshine. We laid the blankets on our grass and looked endlessly at the castle. We have no grill but I managed to put up something from the kitchen and we picnicked. We played mini-tennis and tanned ourselves.

Easter Sunday was spent attending church service and meeting Filipinos. We managed to convince the group to eat with us at the Altitude Revolving Restaurant inside the TV Tower located in Koliba. The views were great. It was like touring Bratislava in one go, no hassle with great company. Unfortunately, we could not join the tables since the revolving part was not that wide. The wait was too long, probably some 45 minutes before we could eat. We did starve but it did not stop us from being happy that day.

On Easter Monday we were invited to the famous Sajado Restaurant in Eurovea. I visit this Asian buffet restaurant more than a few times but only during the week. On weekends and holidays, they vary by doing an added Teppanyaki (choose your own meat, veggies and sauce and the cook will put it all together for you). With sushis, soups and warm Asian dishes, the choice was great. The ambience by the river was wonderful.

Let me not lie on the other days when we went to the other restaurants. But I do remember we ate in AuCafe located on the Petrzalka side of the river. We sat at the Wintergarden part of the restaurant and the food was lovely. It was chilly though that night and it would have been probably exciting after dinner to take a stroll along the river while the crowd at the beachfront watching the world hockey championships game were shouting and cheering.

On one sunny day, we went to a nice Italian Restaurant in Karlova Ves, Bellavijo. It is located on top and overlooks the water basin of the Donau arm. We look at the treetop and farther hill of Berg in Austria. As the crowd was lesser, we were served by a very nice waitress (which is not very often, I would say RARE!) and even if the sun was scorching hot on the terrace, we braved it and stayed. I have eaten here three times already. Food is alright with Risottos, Pizzas, etc.

We also went to visit the Devin. Great restauration work. The views are amazing towards Hainburg and down is where the Donau and Morava rivers meet. The well was incredible. 55 meters deep and it takes 6 long seconds before you hear the drop of water we threw from the top. Well worth visiting. At the bottom are two grill restaurants but I think belonging to the same owner. We ordered the regular grilled Klobasa and draught beer and infront of us was live music being played plus a children´s play area. Some few steps away, they have some mini roller coaster, trampoline and other rides for kids. I was also told that on the other side of the castle one can rent bikes and go along toward the Chech border and somewhere there is a very simple restaurant (give yourself time waiting, lots of time) seving grill and the likes.

Let me add another Fish Restaurant located in Zlate Piesky. I ate there first with the whole Filipino Community from an invitation by our Philippine Consul. Situated on the lake bank, the views are calming. Now that the summer season has started, the terrace part is now open and really inviting. I have however observed that prices have tremendously gone up. But if you are in for the ride, why not?

Hope you like my reviews on the restaurants. Go visit yourself!

Happy Easter!

The Slovak Smile

Being a Filipina, I love to smile. I conquer everyone when I smile. And with this I expect a reciprocation of a smile. Everywhere it works.

But in Slovakia? I enter a supermarket, I enter a shop, I see my landlady, I see the tennis court caretaker (the young guy is the worst!), its much less at the German school (I hope), my friends Slovak husband, The do not frown nor smile even if I send everyone the positive energy of a smile. I ask myself if they really could not the very bit smile.

I tried to find explanation on this. First, I thought it is because of the language. But if I enter a shop and say "Dobry Den!" That is po slovensky, right? I tried to say it right too so it could only be po slovensky! The tennis court caretaker is as rude as he could be and I thought that he is shy dealing with all these international women who cannot utter a word in Slovak. I forgave him. But one of these international women is actually Slovak and she also admits that this very young man does not change his attitude towards her! So its not the language.

It is because of history. I could only tell that during the communistic era, one is just skeptical of everyone. No one trusts anybody. One should not trust anybody. One does not greet and smile anyone who comes across. Much less to a foreigner looking like me, Asian and really foreign to them!

Of course there are always an exception. The Slovak women at the club, the employees where my husband works, the hotel and restaurant industry, younger ones. But they are the ones who has been subjected to foreigners. And the younger ones, they have not lived during the iron curtain days.

With this I rest my case.

Happy smiling!

Fed Cup - Tie details - 2011 - Slovak Rep. v Serbia

Fed Cup - Tie details - 2011 - Slovak Rep. v Serbia

From the Embassy of Japan in the Slovak Republik

Announcement on opening of the book of condolences in memory of the Tohoku district -off the Pacific Ocean Earthquake victims

March 16, 2011
Embassy of Japan in the Slovak Republic

In respect to the recent earthquake in the Tohoku District – off the Pacific Ocean, we would like to announce that the book of condolences in honour of the victims will be opened in accordance with the bellow-mentioned schedule as follows:
Period: March 17 – 18, 2011 and March 22 – 23, 2011
Time: 10:00 – 12:00 and 14:00 – 16:00
Venue: Embassy of Japan, Hlavne namestie 2, 813 27 Bratislava 1
Meeting room of the Consular Section, 1st floor
In case you are interested in signing of the book of condolences, please announce it to our security guards at the entrance of the Embassy of Japan.

Information for donations
For those wishing to make a donation to assist the affected population of the earthquakes and tsunami, please direct your funds to the following bank accounts.
1. Financial support for victims harmed by the earthquake:
All the funds received in this account will be transferred to the Distribution Committee, which is formed around the local governments of the disaster-affected prefecture to administer the distribution of the fund.
Name of the bank: Sumimoto Mitsui Banking Corporation
Name of the branch: Ginza
Account number: 8047670 (Ordinary account)
SWIFT Code: SMBC JP JT
Name of recipient: Japanese Red Cross
Address of recipient: 1-1-3 Shiba – Daimon Minato-ku, Tokyo JAPAN
If you need a receipt, please state so clearly in the comment section of the bank transfer order.

2. Financial support for rescue activities of the Japanese Red Cross:
Name of the bank: Sumimoto Mitsui Banking Corporation
Name of the branch: Ginza
Account number: 8047705 (Bežný účet)
SWIFT Code: SMBC JP JT
Name of recipient: Japanese Red Cross
Address of recipient: 1-1-3 Shiba – Daimon Minato-ku, Tokyo JAPAN
If you need a receipt, please state so clearly in the comment section of the bank transfer order.

3. Financial support for victims harmed by the earthquake – a special account created for the donations by the Embassy of Japan in the Slovak Republic
Name of the bank: UniCredit Bank Slovakia, a.s.
Account number: 1330446106
Code of the bank: 1111
Name of recipient: Embassy of Japan
Variable symbol: 100

Official money collection box for donations is placed at the entrance of the Embassy of Japan. If you need a receipt, please ask the Embassy to issue a certificate certifying your donation.
In current difficult situation, it is not possible for Japan to accept material donations.
Embassy of Japan would like to use the opportunity and thank cordially and sincerely to all people for expressed sympathies and financial support.

Office of the Slovak Republic / Prime Minister has become an honorary member of International Women's Club of Bratislava

Office of the Slovak Republic / Prime Minister has become an honorary member of International Women's Club of Bratislava

Fresh Market

Today I finally managed to visit the FRESH MARKET located on Tomasikova Ul. cor Roznavska. A Filipina mentioned in our group that there is this certain tropical vegetable being sold in one of the stalls inside the FRESH MARKET. Of course, I found it at a ridiculous price.

As I stroll along, I found Turkish kebab, flower shops, fruit and vegetable shops, a bakery with some Italian products, a delicatessen with chairs and tables, two wine shops, an oriental store, fresh eggs stall, cheese stalls, the sauerkraut stall, a Russian medicine stall, spices and herbs stall, dried fruits and nuts stall, hotdog and baguette, fresh fruit juice stand, and the most interesting is the NAAM Asia Shop! It is a branch of the popular Asian store located in Feriencicova. Naam herself was there fixing the products. How happy am I to see her. And the best thing is, she just informed me that beside her shop, she also rented the neighboring stall and will open a Thai Fastfood! Hurrah!

By the way, there is also a fresh milk dispenser. Bring your own milk bottle and fill it up for €0.70/L.

The people are friendly. One owner said that business is not that good since they opened in November 2010. I bought quality apples and oranges both at €1.20/kilo which is a very good price.


OPENING HOURS

MONDAY-FRIDAY 07:00 to 19:00
SATURDAY 06:00 to 14:00
SUNDAY CLOSED


So go and look yourself.

Happy marketing!

Tweaks

Facebook has led me to this page in which they send tweaks (whatever that is) at a discounted price to buy a service, food, hotel accommodation, quad biking, hair cut, photo session, even coffee which is actually costing 1€ and is sold at €0.50, etc. Today I have purchased a mobile car cleaning coupon for ca. €30 instead of paying €66 and they are coming over on Saturday to clean my car. Let us see about this.

In the meantime you can check out what they are tweaking today at www.shopcity.sk.

Happy tweaking!

Tipping

How to handle tipping when you have traveled so much in lots of different countries could be questionable. My husband, with respect to me being a server before, will ALWAYS gives a minimum 10% TIPs (To Improve Professional Service).

There is however always an unwritten rule in each country. Of course topping the list is the U.S. in which to this day I have no idea how much food industry consumers MUST now tip. It is in the U.S. a must for the wages of the employees are so low that they rely on their tips, in short, to support their salary. For us, it was so imposed on one to pay that much tip. The truth is, nowadays, it looks like there is now a minimum of 15% if not even higher.

With that unwritten rule in mind, we always feel ourselves guilty when we do not leave a minimum of 10% tip. I fully remember when I was working at the restaurant of the Cologne-Amsterdam train stretch that if I received a lot of tip, it was definitely from a foreigner. Lucky me as Europeans do not have this kind of imposing rule. They are not stingy, it is just not their rule.

A few weeks ago, I started asking Slovaks how they tip. In a restaurant, they do not give the full 10% of the total bill. Perhaps they would give an extra one or two Euros on top. Taxis, they would round off the amount. I am not sure if they would give 6Euros if the bill is 5.40Euros. And for coffee, if they order one coffee, they do not give a tip at all. I guess that goes the same with one beer. Question is, one employee at the Shell gas station cleaned my windshields all around, am I supposed to give him a tip?

As a rule of the thumb, I was told to round off the whole amount and do not be guilty!


Happy tipping!

GROUPS and CLUBS

Its January. What do you do in a new country in the New Year? Before I move into a new country, I google about my interests in the city where I will move in, School, Housing, Tennis and Mahjong. And not to forget, THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN´S CLUB. In almost every capital city, there is one. And this is the place where I will find the answers to all the things I wanna know about.

On the onset of internet, it is possible to find housing offers and what choices of school there is. I have written a topic separately about housing and schools in my blog. But I have´t written anything about GROUPS. A much delayed issue I had to write about.

During our first posting some more than 15 years ago in Suva, Fiji Islands, I came to know about the United Nation Women´s Group, an association of international expat and local women. Being newly married, a new expat, and in a new country, that group helped me get lots of information and cope with whatever needs I had to fill. Cooking was one of the best thing I learned from there in which up until now I am using the recipes I got during that time. Internet was not around to just type in what recipe you´d like to have for a meal. In addition, first hand knowledge from the women was the extra touch in that learning process for me.

Joining the Club is one of the first things I do whenever I get to a new city. Within a week or two of stay, I already attended the International Women´s Club of Bratislava. I knew what to ask, I knew what to look for. And in every Women´s Club, there are comments, be it positive or negative. But in the end it is your choice to be active or not. More than less, it will guide you on this new land you are to call home.

In time, I had learned the skills of Tennis and Mahjong, one of the most popular activities of the Women´s Club. Here I found and joined those groups. Groups like Baby and Toddler, Yoga, Golf, Book etc are all to be found here and talking to the ladies will also give you insider tips on household help, babysitters, supermarkets, doctors, etc.

An extra in Bratislava is the ASIAN WOMEN´S GROUP. A group I have never come by anywhere else. We meet once a month bringing a dish be it typical of our home country or not. Believe me, the best asian food is in these gatherings.

Here I leave you both the links iwc.sk and http://asianbytes.wordpress.com/

Happy grouping!