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 alone with Ivanna, while the other five staff members went to lunch. Ivanna was calling her mom; Peter was calling the post, and the driver, figuring out how to take my boxes to be mailed from school to somewhere.

The town mail place closed at 1 P.M. on Fridays- how typical and convenient- it was now 12:30. There went all hopes of a cheap shipment. We were left with an only option of airmail until 3 P.M. with no driver. Peter told Ivanna to lockup the school and go take me. Jan the driver came, and we made it to the airport.

Slovak Air Freight to the Rescue!

The Slovak Air Freight was right next door to Lindberg British Air, where (Berlitz student) Andrea works! We knocked on the door, to see if Andrea was there, but, no answer. While the guy at Slovak Air Freight needed 1/2 hour to write up the paperwork, we went to the airport’s small café and saw Andrea eating lunch there – and also Jan Palko, another (Berlitz) student I had yesterday, who works at the airport. I went up to him and said, “I’d like to check in for my flight, please.” A phrase we had practiced in class yesterday.

The Slovak Air guy came over and told us it was going to cost me 8,000 SK ($200) to mail the boxes. Zuska and I rushed over to Andrea’s office, and she was a great help. She was able to send them for 4,900 SK (a bit over $120). Still, it was more than I had wanted to pay, but no other choice at 3 P.M. on my last day in Kosice!

Then they went to retrieve the boxes from the (Slovak Air) guy, and we managed to get the driver back in time to whisk me back (to Berlitz) for my 3:30 PM lesson with the ten students at the Slovak Insurance Company. I was awesome. Zuzka went over with me, told me about my pay, and I even managed to memorize all the students’ names. They were impressed too, I could tell.

Saying Good Bye

(Still no-one else in my train compartment! It’s killer. Beats being hot, crushed in between three to six smelly people.)

Back at school (Berlitz) I waited for Kristina, Mark, and Arya to say good-bye, see ya later. As I was leaving the Bonsai for them, with a note, Peter asked, “Are you taking that with you?”

(Well, they did switch conductors, and our conductor is now a very nice woman. I played dumb, spewing out, “Bratislava?” repeatedly, giving her a blank stare. She tried to point at the Class Number on my ticket, and on the train compartment door, which somehow was a big bold 2. I had to pay 181 SK ($5). Adding some numbers up, she went to go get change for my 1,000 Slovak krown bill. It was okay. Good deal! Now I’m legal. Less stress.

Final Days in Slovakia

As I left (Berlitz) school, it was not so sad after all the gossip I found out. Including just before I left, Zuska filled me in that Jae is sleeping with Mirka, as well as the wife of the Steel Company owner; who is sleeping with the student I had today. Ay yi yi. I’m glad to be moving on. Too small of a town.

I went to Hotel Centrum gift shop (only open 12-7) and the only place to buy colorful Slovak embroidery. The lady I know is pushy, but I set a budget of 1,000 SK total for Dagi and Luise; and I stuck to it! That cost less than what I was going to buy if the good store was open, but mom is bringing Dagi a wall hanging anyway!

Next I stopped at Potraviny on my way to the Stancia. Bought my train ticket and as I walked by the music fountain decided to email one last time, if there was a free computer for 1/2 hour.

At 20:00 I headed home to meet Mrs. Langelova (my Hungarian land lady) and give her the key. She was pleasant and sentimental, “So is the life,” she said. “I am sorry you must leave.” She wished me a good trip, and I assured her that I had been happy here.

Everyone wants to know why I am leaving Slovakia. They all ask me, “How do you like Slovakia?”

Luckily, before Mrs. L arrived to retrieve the key, I had the foresight to call my family, who was coming over at 21:00 and tell Elena the door entry code, and what floor I was on, as now I was locked in. They had called me late Thursday night, saying they want to see me again, and I asked, “Is 21:00 too late?” They said, “No!” So I quickly put some champagne to chill, prepared bread baguette slices, a cheese plate, candles, and a chocolate cookie plate. I moved the table next to my bare bed and chairs.

Bidding My Slovak Family Farewell

Maria couldn’t believe how empty the apartment was, and commented about the landlord, saying, “No carpet, no bedding. What was her last name?” I think Maria wanted to know if she was Hungarian. As Mark says, most landlords are. I didn’t mention it.

When they came in, they handed me presents! A nice book on Slovak Raj, signed by all of them – that made me cry; a video of our time spent together eating and talking! And the photos of us. It made me cry, as I was already on an emotional verge. We talked, laughed, and opened the champagne.

Even the girls drank some and dad (Vlado) had only one glass. But Maria was getting tipsy and funny, having a good time, and I just needed enough so that I could sleep good on my bare mattress without pillow or covers.

 

Laughing and Talking

They stayed, and sang – my favorite bedtime show! We laughed and talked. Elena is going to Oxford in July for ten days to study English. She is so excited to speak English. I told her she improved in just three weeks. (She has!) That made her very excited! Elena bought more English books and wants to study more. It was a great feeling, to help inspire her.

I also gave them ““My Father’s Dragon” book“, “Alice in Wonderland” and the “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” books. It is nice to realize that I have inspired someone and made an impression on them. Elena and her whole family said, “You know so much about so many things.” Which they do too. We talked that day about politics, music, art, and geology…

Maria said things that she hasn’t thought about in 30 years. We were all happy. They also said that Vlado’s grandparents couldn’t believe I was 36, and the sister said, “That’s not possible!” Nice.

Three other people told me that they thought I was in my late 20’s. Dobry. (Good.) Well aside, we had another super nice time together. As they bid me farewell, it was 22:30. Elena was the Speaker for the family, and it was very kind what she said. “Everyone wants to know if and when I will come back to Slovakia?!”

 

May 1999