Living in Bratislava

The Donovaly Weekend

2012-02-06T03:58:00.000-08:00

Donovaly

For two years now we have been skiing in Austria, in alittle family friendly ski town called Filzmoos. But during this long weekendsemester break of Adrian, we decided forDonovaly. It is where one of my tennispartners go to with his family for skiing for the last five years. Moreover, Id like to get to know Donovaly as we are living here inSlovakia, shouldn’t we? Interestingly,once we mention this to Slovaks, their automatic comment is, ‘Why go toDonovaly if Austria is just there? Service is much better in Austria.’ Very correct! Still, we went without much expectation.

Weather was predicted at -20°C. Freezing, cold and chilly. We arrived in less than three hours. It was late but the town looked promising.There are two slopes, Zahradiste and Nova Hola. Zahradiste has only blue slopes. As beginners, we chose to stay on this side. Unfortunately, it was really brrrrr chilly,that we did the slope and went up and down and still got frozen. We decided to have a break at their fast foodarea where one finds typical Slovak food. The weather was really not very kind that after the break, skiing wasreally not fun. So, we called it a day.

Dinner was spent at the Stodola Restaurant. I have checked their varied menu over theinternet before coming to Donovaly. Foodwas good but as expected NOT a single smile from the waitress. Square face. But we did not let that hamper us. The beer was good enough.

The next day was as promising as the previous one. Lazily, we pulled ourselves together toski. After an hour of skiing, there wassnow storm, it was just unbearable. Urggh!

Off we went to Almet where they have bowling alleys. As it was empty at 2pm, we did not ask forany free alleys. We took our time, atepizza, played Air Hockey, some card games. At 3pm we asked if they have something available. Sorry, next available slot is at10.30pm. Great! Well, it was disappointing until he told usthat we would be able to play sometime at 4.30pm. That was at least a relief. Believe it or not, we left this place at9pm! Eat, drink, play! How exhausting!!!

On the third day, it was sunny and still no one was reallyin the mood to go skiing as temperatures stayed the same. But I pushed and pushed and we went to thered slopes of Nova Hola. Now we realizedthat this is where we should be skiing. A little bit difficult but manageable and long enough. In addition, they have Gondolas so one doesnot freeze on the way up. Who would havethought we would spend from 11am until 4pm skiing?

So, Donovaly, I assure you that was not the last time wevisited you.

Three Fish

2011-12-19T13:24:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-07T23:29:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-15T02:13:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

Law change gives younger drivers a go - The Slovak Spectator

Eating Indian

2011-11-12T23:24:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-12T23:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-08-24T02:42:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-13T01:06:00.000-07:00

Thai food restaurant in Bratislava, cocktail bar, downtown Bratislava

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

2011-06-09T11:50:00.001-07:00

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

2011-06-09T11:50:00.000-07:00

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

Ordering in a Restaurant

2011-06-08T00:51:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-18T01:17:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

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

From the Embassy of Japan in the Slovak Republik

2011-03-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

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

Fresh Market

2011-03-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-02-14T05:12:00.001-08:00

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

2011-01-24T22:59:00.000-08:00

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!

Learning to ski

2010-11-19T07:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday and today the weather particularly here in Koliba is so gloomy. The fog is so thick, the city cannot be seen. Next week, the temperature will drop to 0 Celsius and snow has been forecasted on 800-1000m above sea level. Snow, the essence of Christmas and winter.

2010's winter was quite a winter. Deep and long. Being a Filipina, I have no whatsoever grasp of balance which is necessary for skiing. In fact, I never had the dream nor the urge to go skiing. Until one fine winter, another mother in the German Kindergarten has mentioned to me a good beginners school for skiing. It was definitely meant for Adrian. I looked, searched, googled about this not-so-far-away destination of Zochova Chata. Then I called to make Adrian's first lesson. Well, dealing with it in Slovak was big issue but so be it. We did find an Instructress, Michaela Vislocka, very pretty and explains in English very well.

Come that day, the place was full of children. The slopes are definitely meant for beginners and learners. Adrian looked good and was able to ski and break the basic way. Then came the idea, can I learn too? It just fits. I would be driving Adrian anyway to his lessons and so I could combine my lessons with him. He got his private lessons and after him he could go on the slopes and practice then I would be learning.

After 12 private lessons, I have learned the basics of skiing and carving. The slope there was perfect for a scared beginner like me. Of course, I fell! Many times! Adrian took it easily but I am very much into the technical side of skiing, I just couldn't let it go like him. Kids will be kids. And I will be always me. I am so proud of myself to be able to ski even if I am the slowest most careful creature on the slope. There is time for me to improve.

Zochova Chata is some 45 minutes drive from Bratislava. You drive past Pezinok and Modra then enter a hilly, scenic part of the Lower Carpathians. The company runs another ski slope called Pezinok Baba. Check their website at www.lkbaba.sk

Happy skiing!

Rick Steves' Europe | Bustling city of Bratislava is the comeback kid of Europe | Seattle Times Newspaper

2010-11-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

Rick Steves' Europe | Bustling city of Bratislava is the comeback kid of Europe | Seattle Times Newspaper

Summer in Bratislava

2010-09-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

Ah it is school time again. Summer has passed. Lots of expats would usually go back to their home countries to spend their summer. Some would go take their vacation somewhere else. But what about those who stayed in Bratislava? What is there to do?

I am not able to tell you what is all there in Slovakia for summer due to language problems again. But I could tell you my interests what to show or do with my just turned 6 year old son around the area.

Bibiana Museum - a museum dedicated to children. Not huge but children can touch everything and experience whatever is inside. During summer,there are theater presentations every Sunday.

City Center - at around 5 pm on Sundays there is usually a short concert infront of the Mladost Kino. A real treat while eating ice cream from the next door shop.

Aupark - behind the shopping mall is a big outdoor area with climbing, trampoline, and lots of stuff for the little ones too.

Sandbeach - at the foot of the old bridge on the other side of the Danube is a manmade sand beach. It is well located as it is just beside the playground. Enjoy othe marvelous view of the castle, city, bridges and of course the river.

Tubing - I just live at the lower level of Koliba and still did not manage to experience this but it should be fun.

Aquapark in Senec - huge water park some 20 mins drive from Bratislava.

Bergbad in Hainburg, Austria - the cheaper alternative to the Aquapark but drinks and food could be more pricey.

Family Park in St Margarethen - an hour drive away from Bratislava, enjoy the scenery of the villages you pass by on you way to this fairytale attraction. Lots of rides, animals, flowing water for the kids to play with, etc. We got the season ticket which is almost equal to three entrances.

Schlosshof - see how the aristocrats lived before. Different events throughout the year. Just 30 minute drive away.

Schonbrunn Museum in Vienna - has a children's museum as well. Guided tours for kids at certain times.

Carnuntum - see the Roman ruins in Austria. Just half an hour drive.

I am sure this is not enough to spend the whole summer in Bratislava but there are lakes, rivers and other places to visit too. As for us we were gone the whole of August and that is another story to tell.

Hope you had a

Happy Summer!

A quiet Thursday

2010-07-15T02:58:00.000-07:00

Thursday is my favored day. And today is even more special. After hitting some balls with mild temperatures and on red clay, I rush home. For what? Then it hit me. I am so alone. My neighbors are not there. My kid is not here. My husband is away.

So I prepare my second breakfast of rice and some pork cooked in fresh tomatoes. I sit on the terrace looking at the castle and couldn’t just believe my luck. Then I sip my coffee and I think of Pedrito’s in Dagupan City. It is where we always eat breakfast after grueling tennis games on Lyceum’s courts. Oh how I devoured those times. Thinking of the chores I have to do today, I said why not jump into the pool? I get my bikini, dip in the pool, float, closed my eyes and enjoyed silence. It feels like I own Koliba.

The sun is friendly today, not too hot and the wind is also an ally. I sunbath my already tanned skin but what the heck. Sunbath and sleep . I go into the pool again and decided, today is actually a very lucky day.

Happy Thursday!

Watching TV

2010-05-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

After six months of stay here, we have not chosen if we will get a cable or satellite TV connection. So far our movies are regularly provided by a friend who has wall-load of DVDs. Until tennis season on clay came, i.e., Roland Garros in May, I need to act on what to get.

To explain our preferences I have to present to you our family. We are a mixed culture marriage, (German and Filipina plus strong inclination to Latin America as our son was born by choice in Argentina). My husband is happy to live with having a BBC Channel. I need the movies channel and definitely they should be in English plus a sports channel. My son goes to the German School but nevertheless would prefer having his cartoons in English. Quite complicated, huh! But in summation we would like to have a great choice of English Channels.

So the search starts and there are several options.

UPC
T-com Magio and Cable
Orange

If you go to their websites, thanks to Google Translate of Google Chrome one can understand their offers. I will not elaborate on what I found about each of them. As I have been in a furnished flat for a month with cable what I can say is that there was BBC, one or two cartoon channels, AXN, HBO etc. And apart from BBC and CNN everything is in Slovak, some in Czech. I know that T-com offers channels in Hungarian too. One time I went personally to T-com to ask them if during installation they can install the HBO, Cinemax etc in English. They can not. However, in their website they claim that one can watch these channels in different languages. How true? I did not risk it. Why should I subscribe to cable or satellite TV if I can not watch any of them apart from some channels which is not even interesting to us?

Other choice is your own satellite. We actually have two dishes in the house. Just need a receiver. Some said to be able to watch movies from your own country, you could also apply for the local satellite provider. Bring the card here, call a technician and voila, you are with the channels of your own country, in your own language. But of course you need to pay this in your home country but that could be arranged.

And came Roland Garros Tennis Open.....time is running out. Before this I watched the tennis matches on live stream. I was ok with this because there are lots of options of matches one can watch. My husband connected the PC also to the TV so I got a big screen. Until one day my lifesaver, a friend who is leaving gave me an old receiver of his. The receiver is already programmed to receive most German channels. My husband has his BBC, my son has cartoons in German and I have Eurosport. I have not solved the problem with the movies of HBO and Cinemax but our friend is here to lend me movies until July. Until then I can live with that as Wimbledon is still coming.

Happy watching!

Six Month Glitch

2010-05-29T05:02:00.000-07:00

Wikipedia: A glitch is a usually short-lived fault in a system.

I started writing this end of May and it is very true for me everytime we move to a new country. The glitch is a sadness and emptiness I feel at this point of time. It happens when you have rented your house, your container arrived, found the school for your child, got your car and now what???? Yes the very big question of now what?

I have been attending once a week Slovak language course, I have been playing tennis, I have my routine, I know which supermarket I wanna go, I go to Mah-jong, I love my house, etcetera, etcetera.

And my glitch pertains to having FRIENDS! A friend whom you can just talk to about whatever, whose door you knock on whichever time of the day, and just meet without any diary appointment. And at this very same time I made friends with Simmi. An Indian girl who is so open to whatever we want to do together. I just love her. Plus her gorgeous daughter and the never-late and never-be-late husband. Plus summer was finally greeting us that we could invite friends for a swim and eat a non-formal dinner.

And this is the end of my sixth month glitch as after I feel it, life definitely starts rolling fast, so fast it is now end July in which I got so busy to be able to finish this post.

Happy summer!

Fleamarket for Children Stuff at the German School (text in German)

2010-04-21T01:28:00.000-07:00

The flea market takes place on 23 04.2010, from 15:00 bis 17:00 clock in the schoolyard and in the gymnasium of the DSB (in bad weather only gym). We sell children's books, toys, sporting goods, CDs, tapes and other media. This year can also be sold clothing. For the reservation again, the cake donations will be accepted for the buffet. In the buffet cakes, drinks and coffee are sold, the money will go towards the expansion of the school yard of the DSB. As part of the yard sale accepted will be children things as donation for children in Malacky.

Flohmarkt an der DSB am 23. April von 15.00 bis 17.00 Uhr

Der Flohmarkt findet statt am 23. 04.2010, von 15:00 bis 17:00 Uhr im Schulhof und in der Turnhalle der DSB (beim schlechtem Wetter nur Turnhalle). Es werden Kinderbücher, Spielzeug, Sportartikel, CD, Kassetten und andere Medien verkauft. Dieses Jahr kann auch Bekleidung verkauft werden. Für die Reservierung werden wieder die Kuchenspenden für das Buffet entgegengenommen. Im Buffet werden Kuchen, Getränke und Kaffee verkauft, das Geld kommt der Erweiterung des Schulhofs der DSB zugute. Im Rahmen des Flohmarkts wird wieder eine Kindersachen-Sammlung für Kinderheim in Malacky stattfinden

Fever

2010-03-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Normally when my son gets fever, I would always wait for a few days to see what is happening. It usually is afterall a middle ear infection in which it cures itself in time. Some two weeks ago on a Friday , I was called by the Kindergarten that Adrian has a slight fever. After buying some homeophatic medicines, I brought him home and he spent the whole day and night sleeping. Saturday he was still feverish and weak, Sunday a bit better. Monday I still let him stay home. Come Tuesday I left him in Kindergarten for a few hours. On Wednesday he stayed a bit longer. The sun shone marvelously on Thursday and of course the entire kindergarten made use of this letting the kids play in the playground for longer period of time. However at night Adrian has a recurring fever that I needed to bring him the next day to the doctor.

The doctor I was recommended does not hold clinics on Friday and so I went to the next recommended one. It is Medifera. Finding their phone number at their webpage, I called them three times connecting me to an english speaking person. This is however a recording and after waiting and waiting for two hours that they call me back, I tried my luck just having myself directly connected to the slovak speaking line. Finally that was the trick. Someone will definitely speak some English there. Thankfully I was scheduled in 30 minutes. When we arrived, there was not a long waiting time. Adrian was checked physically, then his blood and urine were taken for tests. Unfortunately there was protein present in his urine and the doctor ordered me to go to the Children's Hospital in Kramare to get an ultrasound of his kidneys.

So off we drove. Upon reaching registration, no one spoke English and we were just given instructions to wait for Room 9. So instead of being brought to the ultrasound department we were told to go again see a doctor. Doctor is out at the moment. Every patient comes curious not knowing what is happening. Are we falling in line? Then of course we are anxious that the staff inside would see us and have us rightfully in line. Now this is the start of my dilemna. We waited 2 hours before my son was attended to. And the most painful thing was one sees all the patients go one by one and we were even there before them. But I did understand that some cases were an emergency. Thanks to their cartoon movies my son waited patiently but not me. As our turn came, I was literally shouted at and thrown out of the clinic by an elder doctor because I do not understand Slovak. I could not stop my tears from falling. I was then assured that the doctor who speaks slovak would soon be there to attend to Adrian.

After all the frustrations of this experience, I finally on the following week managed to make an appointment with Dr Dagmar Kollarova. A very good doctor who speaks English. And when I asked her about her clinic situated in the same hospital where I waited, she explained that she rents those premises and therefore holds her clinic there and could use the hospital services too. Once she brought me for where the ultrasound was and explained too that by registering, one is automatically in the list and one just has to WAIT for one's turn.

Now whenever I have doubts about Adrian's health, I can peacefully rely on Dr Kollarova. Her website is Kollarova.sk

This time I do not wish you

happy waiting!

Internet Banking

2010-03-23T12:56:00.001-07:00

One day my husband arrived home and gave me a file with lots of papers and a small calculator-looking gadget. This gadget seems familiar to me as I had one similar when we were in Indonesia. I never got to use it. Have a guess why? Never understood it, never learned how to use it. Yes…it boils down to language problems. So I told my husband, oh I am never gonna use that coz I don't know what to do with it. A day later he told me I rather check how to use it because otherwise I would be going to the banks paying our bills. And imagine the line…..Huh but we only have T-com to pay, right? So I can manage that. End.

Then sometime I received from him a phone call informing me that our new car could now be picked up. BUT… the insurance must be paid first before we could drive it. And got to hurry because parking in the center costs a lot. Ah what to do? We live in Koliba and taking the bus and going to the bank is a two hour ordeal. He suggests to pay via the internet. Voila!

I open Tatra Bank's webpage and fortunately find an English version. I click on Internet Banking and the page asks me for a PID. I rummage through the 20 pages or so papers what that could be. I found it easily. Then it asked for Password. I assume that it is that code written on the same paper stating HESLO. I give it in. Nope. I give it again. Nope. Where the hell is that password? Until I find an closed envelope. I open it finding some 20 number and letter combination. Ah this must be the password. That paper with the PID and Heslo and other things ticked is the check list which they have given my husband. Aha. I am one step closer. Or so I think.

Then the webpage asks me for a Code. AGAIN? Please……Where do I get that code in which I should enter it without spaces? I probably need to use that calculator looking device now. I enter the card into the slot and it could actually "express" itself in English and then it asks me again of something. Have a guess! Right another PIN. Because I give in numbers again and again and it doesn't recognize it, I gave it up.

I call the bank. My time is running out to pay that insurance. I wait and wait and call again and nobody calls me back. I call my husband and tell him my frustration. Oh he says, why don't you try this number? So I did and it worked finally giving some numbers I could enter. Probably the code they were asking for. Now doing the transfer. I am asked to enter a number prefix of the account which I didn't find at all. It just never stops. Fortunately the bank calls me. Someone who could explain me everything after hours of trying to figure out how this should work out. In short, in order to enter you account via internet banking you must enter a code generated from the card reader. To attain this, you must enter your ATM pin. If making a payment via internet banking, then you should fill up the form and at the end you will be asked again for another code. If in the card reader you just ask a code, it will not match and the transfer of payment is not successful. Therefore, when making payments, press in the card reader payment/platba, enter the amount rounded up (without cents), enter bank account, enter variable number if asked, at the end a code will show up matching to the payment you have entered via internet banking. Then it is successful.

After understanding all of these, it all seems easy to do internet banking. Well, at the very beginning, everything would have been easy anyway if all was written in English.

Happy banking!

Getting Lost

2010-03-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Today I had to bring my husband and son to the old theater. As I had to wait some two hours I needed to find a parking spot. This is terrible in the city so driving around not wanting to be so far from the theater was not so successful and I ended up parking on the other side of the Danube river, just below the old bridge.

The parking was spacious and promised me a wonderful walk along the river. I started looking on the old city side and screened the UFO bridge, the Bratislava Castle, the St. Martin Church, the old bridge and the new Apollo Bridge. As I trot along the riverbank, a different kind of children's playground welcomed me. Very colorful, it even offers a kind of hanging line for children. They hold a rope and it lets them end up using their own weight to the other side and back. I was so happy to find this and bring the good news to Adrian that I would be bringing him here soon during summer.

Then a boat hotel was just parked and loudly presenting itself in its way by being orange. How could it escape me as my favorite color is orange. As people walk their children or dogs, or just on their inline skates or bicycles, I couldn't help admiring this park so clean and silent. Until I reached Aucafe, ostentibly expensive but after checking their webpage www.au-cafe.sk it is after all not. One can sit on their terrace to admire a view on the castle and the old city charm, the river flowing before it.

Higher up is the Leberfinger restaurant, a name in itself serving excellent Schnitzel. We ate here after the theater but only after driving some 20 minutes to find it because getting there could be quite scientific with a car. Walking could have been easier for us. I ordered the Carpaccio which was chewy and not cold enough. I gave myself assurance that my grilled spareribs would be better. Well, I envy my husband who always orders perfectly. Meaning, his food is always the better one than mine. In short try to order the restaurants famous for and you'd never go wrong. They have, by the way, a children's corner at the cellar, offering white board in which our Adrian took time to draw all his imaginative airplanes and rockets. www.leberfinger.sk

On this side of the river I conclude it with crossing the Novy Most (New Bridge), formerly called the SNP Bridge, symbolizing the Slovak National Uprising. On top of the bridge is the flying-saucer shaped structure, thus, UFO. It has a cafe and offers such wonderful views over the city. Today, however, was cloudy and it was not good to go on top with such weather.

As I reach, the other side of the river, there was no other way to get back to my car than walking further and crossing the old bridge. The old bridge is now only used by passenger buses. But a platform is there for pedestrians. I did get dizzy looking below at the running river.

So as far as getting lost, not technically, but it was just nice to end up somewhere and discover lots of things due to it. If I never got lost, I wouldn't have experienced this part of the river.

Happy getting lost!

Laundry

2009-12-13T08:20:00.000-08:00

Laundry

Generally, flats are furnished with a washing machine. Occasionally, with a clothes dryer. Our flat as is aimed to rent short term (perhaps very short term like 3 days) and so it doesn’t have a washing machine much less a clothes dryer. There lies the quest for finding where do to the laundry. By the information given to me by the landlord, one is not too far from our flat. Being so new though, I wasn’t inclined to get to know the bits and pieces of where it can be found. Until we were running out of fresh clothes to wear.

Luckily, I was instructed by one travel agent (Jana of Pergo.sk) where I can do the laundry. When her machine broke down, she had to find one herself. And so there is one in Karlova Ves at Matejkova 1 (flipperwash.sk). As if getting there was the easiest thing to do, I had to carry a heavy loaded bag to get to the bus stop. Of course, I missed my stop and headed until the end of the bus line. Great! I started to walk back until a supermarket signage showed how far it still is, one kilometer. I walked back to the bus stop and wanted to buy the ticket. What happened? The ticket machine was broken. What to do? In this area not a lot of people spoke English. So I was left there looking left and right what to do. Fortunately, there was a Korean who sold me a ticket. So off I went with the bus. Again.

Arriving at Flipper Wash, I didn’t know what to do. In my entire life, I never went to do laundry outside. Even worse were the instructions in Slovak. But the lady was very kind enough to show me with hands, fingers, feet whatever how to wash. First, the detergent, which I of course forgot at home, so I needed to buy for two loads. Then, the tokens. No need anymore to have just coins, the token automat also accepts Euro bills. 2 tokens (4.50 Euro in total) are needed for one washing of up to 6kg. You need to choose a smaller machine for this weight. The bigger ones are of course for the bigger loads. Then you choose the temperature for washing. Just remember to look at the clothes tag for the temperature one can use. I used 40 degrees Centigrade. It showed I needed 30 minutes to wait for washing.

What is there to do? Go out? Walk around? Shop? I started to bring out the computer to write my articles for this blog. I finished the first two until a gentleman my age with his dog Buni started a conversation. He could very well speak English and is in the military service. Nice person.

Washing finished. Now to dry the clothes is again another system to learn. Now you really need Euro coins to wash clothes. Plus it was promised to me by the lady that I could mix the whites and the blacks together while drying. I was very skeptical! Another 30 minutes and voila. My laundry was done.

As I unpack the bag at home, I check all the clothes and everything smelled fresh and clean. When I separated the men’s shirt, the size did not look so much for men anymore. It shrank! Well, I did not look at the tag how hot one could wash it. Let’s just say I gained again another dress shirt for me!

Happy washing!

Transportation in Bratislava

2009-12-07T00:32:00.000-08:00

In the last 16 years of my life, I have been used to driving a car. It is like a bare necessity that one thinks one has a car all the time. We are, however, still using Bratislava's great public transportation system until we buy our car. We are into walking to the stops, checking connections, possibilities, etc. It is to me an additional experience to get lost and waste time getting lost but I would never know some places if I never got lost.

Let me begin with taxis. Everybody says that getting a taxi from the street is much more expensive. I just don't know why. Perhaps when I am able to speak (????!!!!????) Slovak, I will be able to ask a taxi driver if this is true or not. I got a taxi from Bratislava (http://wwwbratislavahotels.com) to pick us up from the airport in Vienna. This apparently is more economical than getting one from Vienna itself. Plus one is sure that the driver knows his way in Bratislava and will be able to bring us directly or with side trips to our aim.

Taxis within Bratislava are ordered via phone. I got once a number in the internet and they advertise that they speak in addition to Slovak, German and English. It was however not correct but I did manage to order a taxi. If you are somewhere without a phone, most hotels and restaurants would call a taxi for you.

Fun Taxi 16777 or +421216777 from your mobile
Hello Taxi 16321 or +421216321 from your mobile
Profi Taxi 16222 or +421216222 from your mobile
Trend Taxi 16302 or +421216302 from your mobile
MB Taxi 16916 or +421216916 or +421905916916 from your mobile - only Mercedes and Skoda Superb vehicles, slightly higher rates

Trams are trains, trolleys are run by electricity so it is environment friendly without the fumes and buses are buses. They are really great to bring you from one side of the city to the other. It is possible to combine the three transport systems to arrive to your destination. There is just this thing of how to understand what kind of ticket you have to buy. There are two kinds of ticket: prepaid (24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour, 168-hour, 30-day, 90-day and 365-day) and the time-ticket for travel with transfers. I will elaborate on time tickets as it is what I used most. There are two time-tickets (15 min and 60 min). At the beginning we really didn't understand what to do with the ticket, if we are allowed to use it to board another public transport or not. After checking the website of Bratislava public transport, it is said that one can use the 15 min ticket for destinations which is reached within the 15 min time limit regardless of how many connections you get. If however you are not sure how long your travel will be, it is safe to buy the 60 min ticket (extended to 90 min during Saturday, Sunday and Holidays). Of course, one could be quite lost in checking out what connections you can get. For me, I achieved this only by checking their website. It is quite a hassle if you do not have access to the internet so perhaps asking the hotel or a local or taking a taxi will be the most suitable. As I have a 5 yr old child, he still doesn’t pay. Children below 6 travel free. So do seniors above 70 years.

Happy riding!

House Hunting

2009-12-04T09:44:00.000-08:00

While still in the Philippines, I have tried to schedule an appointment with some real estate agents to search for a house. On the very Monday after our arrival, Adrian and I were picked up by Katarina from expat4u.sk. A lovely lady who showed me 6 houses on the first day. Houses in Slovakia, well perhaps what I can generalize in Bratislava with the houses I have seen is that they have, regardless of how many bedrooms ,one and I mean one, uno, ein, bathroom. They have of course a guest toilet, plus a separate toilet and one main bathroom. Usually there is always a bathtub. In only one flat was a bathtub missing. Kitchens are always in the houses including fridge, oven, etc. A washing machine is also always included. Generally, there are wardrobes. A garage and storage are also usually there. Most have fireplaces (wood can be ordered). If it has a garden, there is also a company who could come and do the garden, shovel the snow, etc. Most have an alarm too.

With regards to the areas this is what I think:

Horsky Park – a sought after area by the embassies. There is the largest park in the city and it is really a quiet, well guarded location. It is very near the city and it is served by bus. I’d prefer to stay here due to its proximity to the German school.

Koliba – an area on the hill overlooking the eastern part of the city. It has great walking, hiking and skiing possibilities. With a tower on top of the hill, there is also a revolving restaurant. Those who don’t live here has an opinion that there is only one way to get out of Koliba which could really be a disadvantage but that I couldn’t say yet. The houses in my opinion should have good views but it is not the case all the time.

Kramare – it is on the other side of the hill of Koliba. It is famous to the French due to the French school nearby. I have seen a house with a great view to Dubravska and to the castle. Unfortunately it is located on a place where its road is too steep. It houses the best Children’s Hospital of Slovakia, the Oncology Hospital. There are newresidential buildings built around those hospitals.

Karlova Ves – this is where our temporary apartment is located. It is known to house dormitories for students but there is also a large residential area. It has two international schools in which it is also preferred by expats. On top are supermarkets, restaurants, banks, laundry etc. Stare Grunty is also located in Karlova ves where new detached houses are being built.

Arrival in Bratislava

2009-12-04T09:28:00.000-08:00

Arrival

After arriving in Vienna, we look for our designated taxi driver whom I ordered via Internet from Bratislava. A mafia looking man with my name written on paper, we approach him and directly realized we are not able to communicate with him. An eye opener that a different language is spoken and life is not gonna be that easy. We relayed that we want to pass by a supermarket. A shrug on his shoulders.

We drove. The drive to Bratislava was short. The white castle on the hill at dusk was like a smile saying we are going to enjoy the beauty of Slovakia. The lights of Bratislava gave a twinkle of happiness to those arriving to their city. And with that majestic castle on top, it tells you already that there is so much to see in this “Little big city” as they call Bratislava.

But before we arrive to our apartment, we did stop by a supermarket. Carrefour. As I look for the shopping cart, I realized one needs coins as a deposit to use one. Trying to change my bill with a cashier, a customer offered me a chip. Isn’t that something? Friendliness at the first minute! Wow! It was supposed to be a short trip to buy basic things for breakfast. It took me one hour to find everything. Before you understand that it is milk and not yoghurt on your hand. That it is shampoo and not a dishwashing liquid and so on. And coffee…coffee is instant coffee. A rack full of instant coffee and 3 choices of ground coffee. Hmmm. There goes coffee.

We arrive at our apartment with the nice landlord waiting for us and helping us with our tons of luggage. And as we open the apartment door, voila. A view on the Danube river. Our apartment sits just at the bank of the river. Our very modern apartment fully furnished with a friendly landlord and he did provide us with some drinks and chocolates. As far as I am concerned, we couldn’t have a warmer welcome in a country as Slovakia.