Bratislava to Vienna
Bratislava to Vienna As my trip from Kosice continued…and I changed trains in Bratislava, my worries were all taken care of as a friendly, nice drunken Slovak man befriended me, insisting that I let him
Travel Journals
Never Again
Finally the day has arrived! I am now on my journey and let me say, “Never again!” will I travel so heavy. I absolutely can’t believe it. My hands have blood blisters on them; I
Final Days in Slovakia
My final days in Slovakia consisted of frantically shipping boxes home, and bidding farewell to newfound friends and family. On my last Friday afternoon, a big mix up and false delegations proceeded to leave me
Last Weekend in Košice
It’s my last weekend in and I feel exited about all my future plans. This is probably the most exciting point for me. As of next Friday I will be a round-about gal for the
I was Lucky
Today is Election Day in Slovakia. I think (hope and pray) that the conductor has given up on me. He’s walked by a couple of times, but I try not to look. I play like
Slovak mail system
What a problem. First of all, the Slovak post office takes care of everything from film developing; to selling Easter cards; and selling phone cards, etc. But you cannot send international packages over two kilograms
Last Week in Košice
It's my last week in Košice. Luckily, I wasn’t able to buy all the gifts I wanted to (for myself and others). And luckily I didn’t buy the six bottles of Tokay and Russian champagne
A Change of Heart
Laying on the sofa, just coming from school, I’m finally writing in my journal again. I can recognize that I've had a change of heart, compared to three months, or even two months ago. Tonight,
Last Salary
On my last week, Peter was talking to me about my last salary. He questioned me about how much my visa costs were, right in the reception, in front of students, staff, and everyone. Bibiana
Too Much Information
My last week we went out Thursday; Ivanna invited me and I organized it. I was hungover “opiza” (monkey) in Slovak. And so was Ivanna. I taught Cleveland Group last, so Mark and I were
Economics of Slovakia in 1999
This week the sun shone and I ran every day. The very first day I ran, several gipsy guys were up on the hillside in the trees clapping as I ran past. Some evenings I
The Very Best Day
Now it’s evening, nearly midnight, on Friday, May 7th and I just have to write, as I’ve had the very best day. The Very Best Day It started out here at home waiting for Zuska
Kosice Days
Sunday evening was so fun! It started “Kosice Days” or "Kosice Krasna". Blue and yellow flags are hung all over the Main Street and each day are special festivities. Bands are out playing, special booths
Time is Fleeting
Time is fleeting and meanwhile I managed to make some pals and and get into a regular running 🏃♂️ routine, which was in recent weeks overtaken by my fledgling social life. Basically it all started
Zuska’s Birthday Celebration
It was a week of celebration for sure! The ,week before Zuska's Birthday Celebration Damon, Chris and Bibiana had me over for dinner. They have a cool darkish 60’s - 70’s style flat. Modish entry walls
Dom Umenia – House of Art
Elena and Maria met me last night Thursday at the Dom Umenia (House of Art), for the Mozart Requiem and Jupiter Symphony No. 41 my favorite. I had invited them and got two free tickets
Corruption in Education
Ivanna is working while going to school for Economics on Thursdays. Her teacher for one class won’t show her the tests, but tells her and one other person that she failed three times, when she
Beer Garden Visits
The beer garden visits and the time spent with Ivanna and Zuska have yielded plenty of scope. Also the day with my (Slovak) family! Now I must organize my thoughts, write the new impressions and
A Beautiful Memorable Day
Our beautiful memorable day continued. The ride to Shirava took forever and I did my best, better than before. One stretch of new road was smooth between Prešov and the next town. Maria’s family live near
Local Farmers in the Countryside
Local Farmers in the Countryside Farmers were working in the fields by hand. There were chickens and roosters and cows. Even Vlado’s parents who we visited later, live nearby and raise pigs, sheep, cows, roosters, and
Slovak Specialty Dish – Bryndzove Haluzsky
Slovak Specialty Dish At the cottage then the ceremony began for making the Slovak specialty dish - Bryndzove Haluzsky. I got to wear an official apron. Just like at Grandma Kubik’s house! I helped wash, peel,
Duzen Ceremony
First thing in the morning as we got into the car, for our trip to the country house, Christina asked if she could call me “Du”. I said, “Yes, of course!” At first, I didn’t
Tunnel Branisko
On the way to their cottage, we drove on the Slovak highways, which Vladimir helped build. He is Director of the Slovak Road Administration. En route, we stopped to admire Tunnel Branisko. It is his
Trip to the Country House
Saturday a.m. we all met as planned for a trip to the country house or cottage. Maria, Vladimir, and Christinka picked me up out in front of my apartment. Today I was to learn how to
Slovak Tips
I compiled this list of helpful Slovak Tips, for visiting the newly independent country in 1999. Not that any of them would apply today, but it’s interesting to look back on. At that time there
Meeting in Paris
Psyched, stoked and lucky am I that Helen will meet me in Paris; and I’m lucky to have a cool friend like her. She is one of a kind, and my role model! Meeting in Paris Lucky
A Beautiful Friendship
On the way to school I noticed that Beethoven s Ninth was on that night with the Kosice Philharmonic at Dom Umenia https://cheriorange.com/dom-umenia. Little did I know, that would lead to a beautiful friendship. After
Beer Talk and Pay Cuts
Beer talk and pay cuts. Time is fleeting and meanwhile I managed to make some pals and and get into a regular running 🏃♂️ routine, which was in the recent weeks overtaken by my fledgling social
Meet us at the pub
One night this week I was out at the local corner beer 🍻 garden. Me, Ivanna and Chris left a note for the others and Gerard. We figured he wouldn’t care who “us” was and
No Pay and Prison Museum
So (Berlitz teacher) Arya the pessimist was right. We didn’t get paid. Or he (Peter) didn’t have our money. No pay. This is the first time it has happened however at the school (Berlitz). Apparently
Wondering About My Future
After three months, I don’t feel so sad leaving Košice because I am too stressed about my bags, money, and getting yelled at; having to change seats; carry my bags; etc. At this time, I
Coffee and Sunshine
Saturday war auch güt (was also good)! It was a beautiful morning, starting with coffee and sunshine. I taught Robin Williams from SCP Paper. Then strolling through town, after too many cups of coffee ☕️
Spring in Košice
Being back in Slovakia at first, in comparison to being in Vienna with all my companions, seemed to me like the wastelands. I was sick and tired of seeing grumpy people, sick of people staring
Leaving Vienna After Easter
Tuesday morning I made it down second to the breakfast buffet. I took some bread 🍞 and cheese 🧀 for the road, and left the hotel by 7:20. Our gathering was over and I was
Feeling Homesick
Hier bin ich wieder (here I am again) sitting on the train (8:15 Zug) in Vienna nach (toward) Bratislava. Feeling a little sad, lonely, and somewhat depressed. I am feeling homesick and lonely after being
A Visit to Pressbaum
We started our visit to Pressbaum an hour earlier and made it out to the West Bahnhof (Vienna West Train Station). We managed to find our way on the train, out to Pressbaum before noon
Easter Sunday in Vienna
After the family was done in the bathroom, I got to go in while they waited downstairs at the Früstücks Buffet. I dressed, wrote Easter cards and wrapped gifts for the girls. In the breakfast area,
Bratislava Castle to Vienna
Back at the pension, we slept well and rose fairly early to go up to Bratislava Castle. before heading to Vienna. Taking our time, we wound around the hillside, making our way to the top.
The Blue Church in Bratislava
The Blue Church in Bratislava is one of the most memorable churches I have visited in Europe. Among hundreds of European churches and cathedrals the quaint little blue church still stands out in my memory.
Trip to Bratislava
The trip to Bratislava was relatively uneventful. In between leaving the hotel and getting our train, we sat in the park for a while on the new benches. When we arrived in Bratislava however, “the
Good Friday Exploring Trenčín
On Good Friday morning Michael was up early, looking forward to a good breakfast buffet. We went downstairs and were greeted rather coldly and unsmilingly by a sister-bitch. She was bad. We dined as quickly as
April Fools Day in Trenčín
April Fools Day in Trenčín fell on Holy Thursday. Once in Poprad, it was near impossible to get a bus to Trenčín, so after 45 minutes of waiting, we switched to the train, right across the
Kežmarok Castle Ruin with Torrents and Spires
When we arrived in Kežmarok, Castle Ruin with Torrents and Spires -after a packed bus ride, which Michael pointed out was similar to the plight of the (Kosovo) Albanian refugees, we tried to follow the signs
Medieval Walled Town of Levoča
Levoča is a walled medieval town about 30 minutes from Spišský Hrad. It came as a pleasant surprise to both of us (especially Michael) after the run down-ness of Spišský Podrady. We were just in
Slovakia’s most photographed castle ruin
"Spišský Hrad" is Slovakia's most photographed castle ruin. The bus transit is very difficult to decipher and nothing is marked, nor do they announce the stops. You really can't miss this one, however, as the gigantic
Preparing for Slovak Castle Hopping
Michael arrived after a busy day of preparing for Slovak Castle Hopping, on Monday evening at 22:06. I had two students that afternoon. I packed, took down the wash, went to the store twice, chilled
Depressed and Anticipating
The day I’ve been anticipating for such a long time because Michael is coming tomorrow! Why then, am I depressed you may ask? Well I should be so excited, carefree, and anxious for some fun.
How My Week Went
Tonight my t.v. and fridge seem to have blown a fuse. Here's how my week went. Monday a.m. I had the ice hockey 🏒 player. In the afternoon, I challenged an advanced young boy with
Slovak Castles and Ruins
All the way from Bratislava in westernmost Slovakia, to Košice in the eastern region, and everywhere in between, castles and ruins abound in the Slovak Republic. In fact, Slovakia is home to over 170 castles
Leisurely Sunday in Slovakia
What a great enjoyable lazy day! The one I’ve enjoyed the most so far. A leisurely Sunday in Slovakia. I slept in, not rising until 10:30- at which time I started the notorious wash cycle.
March is nearly over
Wow! March is nearly over. I have finally got adjusted to the point where I can enjoy, relax, and take the days at ease. I don’t need to go to Tesco, as I feel relaxed
Smile Cinema and St. Joseph Day
Today was St. Joseph Day (name day) in Slovakia. Everyone who is named Joseph, or Josef in Slovak, will go to the pub. Approximately one in five persons, according to Ivanka, is named Josef. Her
The Driver and Hungarian Border
Today was a good day. Skies were blue, sunko (sun) ☀️ out. I'm becoming a local in this small town, as I saw the Canadian teacher on the way to school this morning. Had three
Business English Lessons
This a.m. first thing, I had Mr. Manusek again, then I had a new business English student named Peter. Business English lessons are my favorite. We did wholesale, distributor, retail, inventory, etc. as it applied
Snow Flurries and Lost Emails
Last night, at the end of our lessons, it was actually snowing! It was very cold 🥶 and dry air. The snow flurries ❄️ didn’t stick except on the grass hillsides this morning. Snow Flurries and
A Life-Changing Fax
Yes, see what this week will bring. Lo and behold… I woke up feeling good, but a bit like not going to school- my semi-depressed, anti-motivated state of mind - missing boyfriend, loneliness, etc. Well,
Love Laundry and a Movie
Well, I’m functioning and doing my best to keep busy and not think about or mention the war. I’m using a three-ply Italian toilet paper with little blue half moons on it; reading about Alsace
Nabucco at the Košice State Theater
Today I had requested the day off to attend Nabucco at the Košice State Theater. Earlier I had experienced a visitor buzzing my apartment doorbell. I was a bit bothered; for one that it was buzzing
Gypsy at the Door
Today was nice to be able to sleep in (I still wake up at 8:30) and really for once in my adult life enjoy Saturdays for a change. I relished a long, leisurely coffee ☕️, good
Late for the Staff Meeting
Well as good as her word (Mrs. L.), the plumber arrived at 7:30 to hook up the washer. I had no classes today, as I requested the eve off for the opera, Nabucco by Verdi.
Going to the Doctor in Eastern Europe
I had to leave the flat today at 6:00 am in order to meet Zuska at school (Berlitz) at 6:30 am. We were going to the doctor in Eastern Europe for my official visit to
Checking Things Out
Today my morning was free so I spent time checking things out. I went to town to an English-speaking to check on fares for M and D. They are not going to get anything good
Women’s Day in Slovakia
Today turned out to be a very good day! It began grey, with grey skies, and rainy. I was a bit down and didn’t feel like going to teach my two units for the day.
Internet and Ballet
My Sunday of Internet and Ballet started out sleeping in till 10:00. I leisurely breakfasted, went to town to Tesco (!?) to buy drinks and my long-awaited pillow and comforter. Very nice, now I’ll sleep
Gargoyles and Chocolate
A couple of interesting observations I've made are regarding Gargoyles and Chocolate. The gargoyles on St. Elizabeth are really cool drainage troughs for the melted snow ❄️ and rain 🌧. It looks like the water
Love via Fax and Shooting Stars
Of course, I'm here to teach English, but still have time to contemplate love via fax and shooting stars. This week was good and started out great with a Monday a.m. two-page-long fax from boyfriend. I
Day Before My First Lesson at Berlitz
It's the day before I teach my first lesson at Berlitz. My first real student is Mr. Manasek at 8:00 Monday. It goes until 9:30 and then I’m free until 15:00. Rough job, huh? This week,
Two Weeks in Slovakia
Well, I survived the week and can’t believe I’ve already been Two Weeks in Slovakia! It’s much better, as I started (Berlitz) training on Monday and was occupied with that (don’t mention the war) from
Planning for the Future
Thinking towards summer elevates my mood. I'm feeling like planning for the future. Right now things that make me feel happy are: Going home in three months -but not without an extensive travel period of
Sunday Tour of Košice Churches
What a nice enjoyable day I made for myself today! I decided to take a Sunday Tour of Košice Churches. I slept well and woke up feeling refreshed. Had a dream that Jan and Jim
Wondering if I Did the Right Thing
Wondering if I Did the Right Thing By 15:00 Sunday afternoon, I felt restless and ready to go out again. It looked so nice watching all the kids sledding from my windows. Now I’m wondering if
My Life Inventory
This morning I've been thinking about my current worries, and why I left it all behind. I'm trying to figure it all out. Taking my life inventory. Mom was right, I really am having a
More Snow and More Shopping
Had a good sound nights sleep, awaking well-rested at 7:30 to see that it had snowed six or more inches during the night. No sun in sight and snow on the ground below still, untracked,
Count all the corners of the ceiling
The driver was to pick me up at 8:30 so I went down to pay my bill for meals, (a sunny day today!!) as was agreed upon. The desk clerk said, “No, you don’t need
Getting Better
Well, it does keep on getting better! I awoke from a great nights sleep in my king size comfort bed and saw what to my wondering eyes but yes, blue sky! It was the beginning
Feeling Princesslike at Hotel Bankov
Meanwhile, until my flat is ready, I am pleasantly pampered, endowed and luckily, luxuriously bestowed, feeling Princesslike, staying at what may well be the best and nicest, most class and luxury 4-stars hotel in Slovakia.
Hotel Centrum
Well it seems to be better already today. Or else it’s just that morning enthusiasm. The Sun, yes the real SUN ⛅️ is shining, and I can see blue skies up there. It’s not snowing,
First Full Day in Košice
Things were better, but still not ganz (completely) normal or organized in my mind, on my first full day in Košice. My tiny bit of enthusiasm got me up, showered, frühstucked (breakfast). Luckily I had
A Terrible First Night
What happened yesterday on the train, was that two gipsy boys got on and started praying for the pretty girl next to me, and she gave them some money. They came next to me and
On the Right Train
Well I still seem to be on the right train, as an hour later the conductor came by and wrote on my ticket and gave it back to me. Alles in Ordnung. (Everything's in order.)
Rosenmontag
Today is the day, the 15th of February, Rosenmontag (Rose Monday.) I’ve just spent a few beautiful days in Vienna with Luise and Fritz and their family. Now I’m sitting on the train, waiting to go
Snowing in Vienna
It was snowing in Vienna. Franko was good as gold, there to meet me at Wein Westbahnhof, in his long trench coat. He asks, "Is this all you brought?" I love it. Snow was swirling
Snow in Vienna “Schnee Krieg”
The kids and I watched Lucille and Franko dig the auto auf dem Schnee (car out of the snow) using two small dust pans and brushes! There was so much snow in Vienna, everything was
Back in Munich
Thursday when I arrived back in Munich at Michael’s, he was at home sick. (There was a lot of flu and respiratory sickness going around—which had me scared about getting sick in a third-world country.)
Smützige Donnerstag
Well today is Smützige Donnerstag, (Dirty Thursday). It’s the big Fäschings Day in the area around Singen where Dagi lives. We woke up to a tin pail drum marching through the neighborhood. Then from the
Stein am Rhein in Winter
We finally got Fabienne and us bundled up, and drove down the hill to my favorite town in Switzerland, Stein am Rhein. In winter all covered in snow it's pretty; quaint and closed up. Nothing
Snowed-in in Singen
The first evening, Harald hat eine Kuchen gebacht (he baked a cake) and the house smelled soooo good. We were already starting to get snowed-in in Singen, as we sat around and talked. We had
Munich to Singen
I'm sitting on dem Zug (on the train) from Munich to Singen, and I'll try to catch up on the past week. After eight hours and twenty minutes, the plane arrived in Munich. Michael was
Nigel Kennedy Concert in Munich
We went to theNigel Kennedy Concert in Munich, and Nigel did not disappoint. He was funny, and his British humor went over well, especially with the German crowd. There was a small orchestra playing with
My Dallmayr Information Interview
My Dallmayr Information Interview that I conducted in Munich, back in Winter 1999, to become informed about the gift basket business in Germany back then. Alois Dallmayr, usually abbreviated to Dallmayr, is the largest delicatessen business
A Winter Week in Munich
I spent a winter week in Munich with my friend Michael, before venturing on to start my new life in Kosice. After an 8 hour-20 minute flight from Atlanta, I arrived in Munich. It was cold,
Atlanta to Munich
On the plane from Atlanta to Munich, Germany. It's the second leg of my life-changing journey to live in Kosice, Slovakia. I've just changed planes in rainy, grey, (not to mention cold) Atlanta. Yes, it's
The Bon Voyage Party
The Bon Voyage Party on Saturday was real fun! I kept drifting in and out from here to reality. And going back into shock again. More or less, I've been in a constant state of
Open to Change
From the day I decided to grab life by the balls, my life is gradually taking on a new and much welcome change of direction. My writing career is officially starting and will take the place
A New Chapter
I've seen shooting stars, robins, bluebirds, and butterflies. I've seen a black cat, and then a white cat -- all at appropriate moments. It's the Year of the Rabbit: My Chinese Horoscope Sign. And the