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 for Hotel Club. After Michael asked and deciphered from three people, we were there. He does pretty well combining Polish, German, Latvian and who knows what else. Some Polish and Slovak words are similar, so it’s been very helpful.

We’ve found some people who speak German or English. Usually, the bus drivers only speak Slovak. In hotels they speak German usually; or else English, not both. We’ve also had luck in asking the right passengers for bus info. But as Michael has proven, you need to ask 2-3 people before determining the correct answer.

See Slovak Tips I compiled.

Kežmarok Castle Ruin with Torrents and Spires

Once we checked into Hotel Club, we pranced around the small, two pedestrian street town. The town is more than 700 years old. It was well cobblestoned; half preserved and half crumbling down – often door to door contrasts. The main attraction is Kežmarok castle ruin, with circular torrents and spires, and kids playing “Ring-Around-the-Rosy” in the castle shadows. Slovak kids. We also noticed a lot of gypsies, but no-one approached us for money, except in Bratislava, on the whole trip.

We went to an Ice Cafe and ordered two mineral waters (bottles), two capps (Cappuccinos); Michael had a cream puff and a torte, I had a three-scoop ice-cream dish–all for the amazingly low price of 61 Slovak Crowns, or about $1.20! Wow!

For dinner, we dined in the hotel restaurant. Michael had two Pilsners, I had a red wine and a Pilsner, the fried Camembert; Michael had the Wurst selection; vegetable soups; he had pizza and I had vegetables. We drank Frangelico for me, and Spiritosos very strong for Michael. It was under $10 each, mineral wasser and tip included.

Thursday morning, we finally got around. Had ein schones Ostern Fruhstuck – a beautiful Easter breakfast- (alles ganz geschmucht waren) everything was beautifully decorated, and we found the bus back to Poprad. But only after chasing through town for Michael to buy the straw pattern (decorated) eggs, which he ended up buying from the Optometrists Shop. I also was guilty of buying souvenirs.

 

 

This is an excerpt from my Kosice Journal, documenting my exodus from a (relatively happy) bustling life in beautiful San Diego, to (voluntarily) take a post teaching English in the newly independent eastern capital of Slovakia  during a very cold winter 1999.