I just had one of the MOST delicious dinners e-v-e-r. It was five golf ball sized rolls of white dough with saskatoons on the inside. You boil them in water until they are all soft and warm, douse them with melted butter, and sprinkle with cocoa powder and icing sugar. And you wonder why I've gained weight!? So totally my favorite meal so far. And while I'm on the topic of food I may as well enlighten you on my other not so delightful expereince I had this week. In Slovakia, it is very typical that the woman of the house does all the cooking and cleaning and household work, not the man. So my host mom usually prepares dinner every evening for me but sometimes she has a 24 hour shift at the hospital so my host dad has to word something out to eat. And so since my host dad doesn't cook very often, when he does cook, he is extraordinarily proud of what he prepares. His face literally beams with hapiness at all his 'hard work'. It's actaully quite cute. But back to the story. One evening it was just my host dad and I home so he was busy preparing something in the kitchen and when it was ready cheerfully called me down to the table. And what did I find there? Bacon. Raw bacon. And rolls. And onion. When I saw it I was really hoping it wasn't finished or something and that he would throw it into a pan and fry it up or something. But no. He joyfully explained to me how I could put the RAW BACON AND ONION on a roll with butter and mustard and ketchup and how delicious it is. If you saw his face though, and that sparkle in his eye you couldn't have turned him down either, no matter how gross the food looked, so I went to my happy place and dug in. To my surprise it wasn't revolting. I mean I'm going to try and avoid it in the future but it wasnt' that bad. And I must point out bacon here is quite different than back home. It comes in one big hunk and you buy it from the butcher shop so no, I'm not going to get sick from it or anything. You get to cut it into slices yourself and it is mostly fat. I mean there's 3/4 s fat and the a tiny sliver of red meat. Needless to say I'm not a fan of the whole raw meat texture and after injesting half an uncooked onion that's all I could taste for hours but I tried it. And now I know raw meat isn't my thing.
As i mentioned in my last post it's spring break for me and if I remember correctly I listed a whole bunch of things I had planned for this week. Well, it didn't really go as planned but that's kind of how life goes as an exchange student. I didn't get to go to Poland today because it was holiday there too and so my host fam said there would too many people. That was a bummer but maybe another time. I did get to go skiing again though which I was really excited about even though it hurts me. I woke up at 6 AM this morning to go with my host fam. You see my host bro had training and we were staying in the apartment which is on the hill so it wasn't like we had to go far but it was still pretty darn early! It was nice because there were hardly any people on the hill (because it wasn't open yet) and the sun hadn't come out and melted all the snow and made it slushy yet (it was 10 degrees today!). But what wasn't so nice was that my host bro and all his skiing team mates are REALLY REALLY good at skiing so guess where they were practicing and guess where I had to be? The hardest, steepest, scariest hill on the entire mountain! Yup the one that says warning, not for beginners. I am proud to report I did make it down. twice in fact. But that was it. That was all I had in me. our bodies do have limits it seems and that was mine, oh boy was that mine. By the time I made it back to the room I virtually collapsed onto my bed and was out cold for three hours. The sad thing was I had only been on the ski hill for one and half hours so I spent twice as much time recooperating as did actually skiing. Next time I think I'm going to stick to the easier hill, that way maybe I'll last a little longer. :p
Those are all the stories I've got for now but there are still four days of holidays left so who knows what else will happen!
LOVEloveLOVE
p
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
I'm gearing up for a busy week! Tommorrow is my last day before spring break!!!! So I have the next week off from school! hooray! although I must admit holidays aren't quite as sweet when you haven't earned them with all the hard work one should normally put into school...but still HOORAY!
Tommorrow I am off to Chalupart again for one night this time. Sunday I am going skiing all day with the fam and then tuesday skiing again probably. Wednesday I'm taking a day trip to Poland with my host mom and brother so I'm super psyched about that. I love that I can just non chalantly say "oh I'm just going on over to Poland for the day". How cool is that?! As well my counsellor has offered to take me skiing sometime this week with her family (and maybe even her extremely attractive son..here's hoping) and the rest I'm not sure what I'll be doing. Going out with friends, perhaps another night at the disco....who knows!
I really can't believe it. I was leafing through the pages of my agenda when I realized just how fast these last months are going to go. I have so many trips and things to look forward to and that's only gonna make the time fly! In March I have a week long ski trip with rotary, April I'm going to Germany to visit my relatives (super excited!!!!), in May I'm off to Italy and Greece for 10 days with rotary, and in June I have a two week district conference where I get to go to Krakow and Prague! I really will be a well seasoned travellor when I get home.
Exchange really is a confusing experience though. I feel like a giant hypocrite sometimes when it comes to my emotions. One moment I'll be daydreaming about coming home and what it will be like to be in university, and to have a job again, essentially wishing I was back in Canada and then the next I'll realize how the end is creeping up on me and how I never want all this to finish! The saying 'you want what you can't have is so true'. When going home is not in the least bit graspable that's all that you want (ok not ALL that you want but you think about it alot) but then when you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and you're sure you'll get there you want to turn around and run right back into the darkness. I mean really how is one ever supposed to come to terms with any of this if I continually contradict myself! Right now I'd have to say I'm running away from the light. As much as going home is an exciting prospect I'd rather not re-enter reality. I don't want it to end! But lucky for me I still have a ways to go. Four months to be exact.
Okay and a sidenote.....I have a new quote which I love. I'm not to sure whether I should reveal to you that it is from Grey's Anatomy. Yes a tv show. But they are fantastic all the same. "never leave that to tomorrow which you can do today" (*bejamin franklin) I just love this and really think it is something to live by. Not to mention how much it suits Rotary. I know that was a really random thing to share but I wanted to record it somewhere so I won't forget it!
AND I have exciting news! I've been accepted to uni! Next fall I will be going to the University of Calgary doing a combined degree in psychology and community rehabilitation and disability studies. I am so so so looking forward to it and the program looks to be everything I ever dreamed of studying! So that's a big relief and something to look forward to!
And that's all the news I have for now,
LOVE
p
Tommorrow I am off to Chalupart again for one night this time. Sunday I am going skiing all day with the fam and then tuesday skiing again probably. Wednesday I'm taking a day trip to Poland with my host mom and brother so I'm super psyched about that. I love that I can just non chalantly say "oh I'm just going on over to Poland for the day". How cool is that?! As well my counsellor has offered to take me skiing sometime this week with her family (and maybe even her extremely attractive son..here's hoping) and the rest I'm not sure what I'll be doing. Going out with friends, perhaps another night at the disco....who knows!
I really can't believe it. I was leafing through the pages of my agenda when I realized just how fast these last months are going to go. I have so many trips and things to look forward to and that's only gonna make the time fly! In March I have a week long ski trip with rotary, April I'm going to Germany to visit my relatives (super excited!!!!), in May I'm off to Italy and Greece for 10 days with rotary, and in June I have a two week district conference where I get to go to Krakow and Prague! I really will be a well seasoned travellor when I get home.
Exchange really is a confusing experience though. I feel like a giant hypocrite sometimes when it comes to my emotions. One moment I'll be daydreaming about coming home and what it will be like to be in university, and to have a job again, essentially wishing I was back in Canada and then the next I'll realize how the end is creeping up on me and how I never want all this to finish! The saying 'you want what you can't have is so true'. When going home is not in the least bit graspable that's all that you want (ok not ALL that you want but you think about it alot) but then when you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and you're sure you'll get there you want to turn around and run right back into the darkness. I mean really how is one ever supposed to come to terms with any of this if I continually contradict myself! Right now I'd have to say I'm running away from the light. As much as going home is an exciting prospect I'd rather not re-enter reality. I don't want it to end! But lucky for me I still have a ways to go. Four months to be exact.
Okay and a sidenote.....I have a new quote which I love. I'm not to sure whether I should reveal to you that it is from Grey's Anatomy. Yes a tv show. But they are fantastic all the same. "never leave that to tomorrow which you can do today" (*bejamin franklin) I just love this and really think it is something to live by. Not to mention how much it suits Rotary. I know that was a really random thing to share but I wanted to record it somewhere so I won't forget it!
AND I have exciting news! I've been accepted to uni! Next fall I will be going to the University of Calgary doing a combined degree in psychology and community rehabilitation and disability studies. I am so so so looking forward to it and the program looks to be everything I ever dreamed of studying! So that's a big relief and something to look forward to!
And that's all the news I have for now,
LOVE
p
Monday, February 15, 2010
Nadacia Krajina Harmonie
I just got back from a fantastic evening at 'The Foundation' or Nadacia Krajina Harmonie as they say in Slovak. This is the organization which plans activities for people with special needs. I have been going there a couple hours a week and each week is a blast. I really love it! On Monday evenings they hold what they call 'club' and it's a gathering of people with all kinds of disabilities (mosty adults) and volunteers from the community. And what happens at these gatherings? Well, we drink tea, eat cookies, share about our week, and play games. It is just an all around good time and it makes me very happy as it's a sweet reminder of home. I even told Mariey today "yeah, what you just experienced there is exactly what my family is like. EVERY SINGLE day." But I love it and really do miss the craziness and hustle and bustle of it all.
Today was a special club meeting though. Today we had a Carnival! There is one guy volunteering in this organization from Brasil. He has been in Slovakia for 8 months now and works in the foundation on a daily basis. So he suggested we have a club meeting themed as a brazilian carnival. Thats where the inspiration came from and the rest just followed suit. The basement was packed with people all dressed up in funny costumes. There was loud music, dancing, and carnival games, and then finally a parade around the building. It was hilarious being a part of it all and genuinely enjoyed myself. All the people are absolutely precious! As well last week One man with Down Syndrome served Halusky to two French men. Why would he do this you may ask? I know it's a strange combination....but it was his dream. Last year the staff at the foundation had all the clients write down their dreams-whatever they may be. So over the past months they have been working to make everyone's dreams come to true to the best of their abilities. Mayo's dream was to serve halusky (a famous slovak dish) to some french men so they had to French volunteers come in and eat halusky with him. It was one man's dream to go to chile and since they couldn't afford to actually send him to chile they had a travel agent come in and do a presentation on it. Another woman's dream was to meet the judges on Sloval Superstar (the equivalent of Canadian Idol) and so they arranged for one of them to come in! It's really a neat thing they have going and don't you worry, I am most definately thinking of ways I could possibly recreate it in canada.
Aside from Club the foundation also organizes a number of other activities. There is painting, dancing, and art classes, movies on friday, and futbal on sundays. I haven't had the opportunity to see all the different sessions but I would like to at somepoint. This organization is also responsible for the Chalupart I spoke so fondly about a couple of posts ago (the one where I ventured into the sauna...)
I've come to know the founders of the organization quite well now and have discovered they are really fantastic people. It is an older couple who founded it and who still run it today. They now have three grown children who help immensely with all the activities. Over the years it has become quite a significant part of the community not only in Slovakia but in the whole of Europe. Not only does it provide weekly communities to residents in Zilina but it also is the basis of the Jolly Festival held each September. I think I've spoken briefly about this festival in past posts but it really is something worth mentioning. It is an international festival held each year in Zilina where people from across Europe come to celebrate people with disabilities. There are dramatic productions, painting workshops, music, dancing, fashion shows, and so much more all put on by people with special needs. Each year hundreds of people gather and join in the festivities and it makes for an incrediably special atmosphere.
I am incrediably happy I have found this organization, because if it wasn't for this and the english school I don't know how I'd get through the week. It's funny because sometimes I start feeling down and out and I don't want to do anything but crawl back in bed and sleep but when I find myself in a place like Nadacia I am instantly recharged. I'm happy I've found something so special to be a part of. And having been away from the world of disabilities for so long and then being re acquainted with it only affirms my love for it all. After spending a few short hours there doing the things I love I don't feel washed out anymore, it re ignites my fire, and picks me up.
Today was a special club meeting though. Today we had a Carnival! There is one guy volunteering in this organization from Brasil. He has been in Slovakia for 8 months now and works in the foundation on a daily basis. So he suggested we have a club meeting themed as a brazilian carnival. Thats where the inspiration came from and the rest just followed suit. The basement was packed with people all dressed up in funny costumes. There was loud music, dancing, and carnival games, and then finally a parade around the building. It was hilarious being a part of it all and genuinely enjoyed myself. All the people are absolutely precious! As well last week One man with Down Syndrome served Halusky to two French men. Why would he do this you may ask? I know it's a strange combination....but it was his dream. Last year the staff at the foundation had all the clients write down their dreams-whatever they may be. So over the past months they have been working to make everyone's dreams come to true to the best of their abilities. Mayo's dream was to serve halusky (a famous slovak dish) to some french men so they had to French volunteers come in and eat halusky with him. It was one man's dream to go to chile and since they couldn't afford to actually send him to chile they had a travel agent come in and do a presentation on it. Another woman's dream was to meet the judges on Sloval Superstar (the equivalent of Canadian Idol) and so they arranged for one of them to come in! It's really a neat thing they have going and don't you worry, I am most definately thinking of ways I could possibly recreate it in canada.
Aside from Club the foundation also organizes a number of other activities. There is painting, dancing, and art classes, movies on friday, and futbal on sundays. I haven't had the opportunity to see all the different sessions but I would like to at somepoint. This organization is also responsible for the Chalupart I spoke so fondly about a couple of posts ago (the one where I ventured into the sauna...)
I've come to know the founders of the organization quite well now and have discovered they are really fantastic people. It is an older couple who founded it and who still run it today. They now have three grown children who help immensely with all the activities. Over the years it has become quite a significant part of the community not only in Slovakia but in the whole of Europe. Not only does it provide weekly communities to residents in Zilina but it also is the basis of the Jolly Festival held each September. I think I've spoken briefly about this festival in past posts but it really is something worth mentioning. It is an international festival held each year in Zilina where people from across Europe come to celebrate people with disabilities. There are dramatic productions, painting workshops, music, dancing, fashion shows, and so much more all put on by people with special needs. Each year hundreds of people gather and join in the festivities and it makes for an incrediably special atmosphere.
I am incrediably happy I have found this organization, because if it wasn't for this and the english school I don't know how I'd get through the week. It's funny because sometimes I start feeling down and out and I don't want to do anything but crawl back in bed and sleep but when I find myself in a place like Nadacia I am instantly recharged. I'm happy I've found something so special to be a part of. And having been away from the world of disabilities for so long and then being re acquainted with it only affirms my love for it all. After spending a few short hours there doing the things I love I don't feel washed out anymore, it re ignites my fire, and picks me up.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Rotary Ples (BALL!)
This weekend I got to be a princess! Princess Paige...sounds pretty good doesn't it? On Saturday evening it was the Rotary Ball held every year by my Rotary club. All the proceeds go towards a worthy organization or cause in Slovakia (this year they went to the Foundation I've been volunteering with which works with people with special needs). Now when I first heard it was a ball, the first thing that came into my head was Cinderella....but I never imagined it would be like that....but it was! The Slovaks certainly know how to throw a party!
Before I get into explaining how the ball actually was I have to speak about the preparations, becuase as a girl there is lots that has to be done. I got the royal treatment all day Saturday as I was getting all glammed up to go. My councillor took me to get my hair done, Mariely did my nails and makeup (and I did hers), and the finishing touches were put on my dress (a full length green silky one my councillor arranged to have fitted for me and everything). I really can't believe all the trouble we go to as girls just to look pretty but it was fun all the same. We got all ready in Mariely's house (my next host home) which is this beautiful little flat in the heart of the city. She lives there with just her host mom so there were three girls running about the house which made for even more fun. The funny thing was I think I was more dressed up for this Rotary Ball than I was for my own graduation! At the end of it all though Mariely and I looked pretty darn good. We were sparkling from head to toe (literally. Mariely really loves shiny things. I had sparkles on my eyes, in my hair, on my body, EVERYWHERE). And of course two beautiful girls can't walk to the ball so our host mom called a taxi for us and we were whisked away to the big event.
We arrived to Hotel Slovakia in a matter of minutes, checked our coats and found our seats. The three exchange students from the neighboring city were there as well and we lucked out and all had a table together. The all was elegantly decorated and there were dancers performing in the middle of all the tables. Everyone was elaborately dressed; the boys in tuxedos and bowties and the ladies in flowing dresses. And that's how the evening went, dancing, drinking (not for us of course) and some more dancing and then some eating. The food was interesting to say the least. I'm not so sure about Slovak delicacies. The appetizer was this minced meat stuff which resembled cat food from a can with apples in jelly. The main course was steak which I was super excited about a I haven't had beef since I've been here and it was good but nothing like the steak back home. A little tough to chew but you take what you can get in Slovakia. Then later on in the evening there was a buffet of every kind of food you could imagine which was really good. Fruit, cheese, meat, and get this, WHOLE FISH. They whole little fish, skin and eyes and all that you could just take and put on your plate. All the exchange students thought it was hilarious so we were in there taking pictures until the waiters looked at us dissapprovingly.
I've also come to the conclusion that Slovaks simply need a little alcohol in their blood to loosen up. A couple hours into the evening and a few wine bottles later all the Rotarians who've never said more than 'hello' to me were striking up friendly conversations. It was quite funny to be honest. It was also quite enjoyable to watch all the rotarians dance their hearts out to the Slovak Beatles cover band. It provided for good entertainment all the way around.
All in all it was a wonderful evening, one that I won't forget for a long long time, if ever.
LOVE
p
ps. I m going to try and put up some pictures but this page has been giving me some issues lately so no promises. If not I will post them to the internet and you can look at them there if you want.
Before I get into explaining how the ball actually was I have to speak about the preparations, becuase as a girl there is lots that has to be done. I got the royal treatment all day Saturday as I was getting all glammed up to go. My councillor took me to get my hair done, Mariely did my nails and makeup (and I did hers), and the finishing touches were put on my dress (a full length green silky one my councillor arranged to have fitted for me and everything). I really can't believe all the trouble we go to as girls just to look pretty but it was fun all the same. We got all ready in Mariely's house (my next host home) which is this beautiful little flat in the heart of the city. She lives there with just her host mom so there were three girls running about the house which made for even more fun. The funny thing was I think I was more dressed up for this Rotary Ball than I was for my own graduation! At the end of it all though Mariely and I looked pretty darn good. We were sparkling from head to toe (literally. Mariely really loves shiny things. I had sparkles on my eyes, in my hair, on my body, EVERYWHERE). And of course two beautiful girls can't walk to the ball so our host mom called a taxi for us and we were whisked away to the big event.
We arrived to Hotel Slovakia in a matter of minutes, checked our coats and found our seats. The three exchange students from the neighboring city were there as well and we lucked out and all had a table together. The all was elegantly decorated and there were dancers performing in the middle of all the tables. Everyone was elaborately dressed; the boys in tuxedos and bowties and the ladies in flowing dresses. And that's how the evening went, dancing, drinking (not for us of course) and some more dancing and then some eating. The food was interesting to say the least. I'm not so sure about Slovak delicacies. The appetizer was this minced meat stuff which resembled cat food from a can with apples in jelly. The main course was steak which I was super excited about a I haven't had beef since I've been here and it was good but nothing like the steak back home. A little tough to chew but you take what you can get in Slovakia. Then later on in the evening there was a buffet of every kind of food you could imagine which was really good. Fruit, cheese, meat, and get this, WHOLE FISH. They whole little fish, skin and eyes and all that you could just take and put on your plate. All the exchange students thought it was hilarious so we were in there taking pictures until the waiters looked at us dissapprovingly.
I've also come to the conclusion that Slovaks simply need a little alcohol in their blood to loosen up. A couple hours into the evening and a few wine bottles later all the Rotarians who've never said more than 'hello' to me were striking up friendly conversations. It was quite funny to be honest. It was also quite enjoyable to watch all the rotarians dance their hearts out to the Slovak Beatles cover band. It provided for good entertainment all the way around.
All in all it was a wonderful evening, one that I won't forget for a long long time, if ever.
LOVE
p
ps. I m going to try and put up some pictures but this page has been giving me some issues lately so no promises. If not I will post them to the internet and you can look at them there if you want.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Kosice Rotary Vikend
So about a week removed I'm going to tell you about my most recent Rotary Weekend. One of those ones where all the exchange students from Slovakia get together. This one was not quite as well organized as the others have been but I guess you can not get a perfect score everytime. So despite some minor organizational glitches, a snow storm, and Sketchy hotel, it was still a pretty darn good weekend. Really though, I've come to the conclusion that you could stick all of us exchange students in a hole and we would still have a good time, we just like seeing eachother that much.
But yes there was a snow storm and I was fortunate enough to get to walk right through it. Let me tell you while I've been in Slovakia I've become quite well acquatinted with the elements. So this weeend our destination was Kosice. The second largest city in Slovakia,renowned for it's historical sites and buildings. We were scheduled to tour the city center on foot which was not quite as enjoyable as we were forced to wade through knee deep snow which was only getting deeper by the minute. It in times like this that I am happy to be Canadian. You should have seen how cold the poor mexicans, brasilians, and Australians were. The poor things. But snow and all, the city was pretty spectacular and has been chosen as the European cultural centre for 2013 I believe. We visited the main cathedral downtown and it as absolutely stunning. We then proceeded through the blizzard to a museum which happened to be situated in an ancient prison. Now let me just say it now.... I would never EVER want to be captured and held in a Slovak prison back in the day. It was scary! There were torture devices and chains and all kinds of crazy things. Now don't ask me why on earth the Rotarians decided to take us there, perhaps they were sending us a message "be good or else!".
After viewing the torture chamber and various other tools for imprisonment we went out bowling! It was super fun just to have the chance to sit and talk and eat and drink with all the other exchange students and catch up on life (our slovak life that is). Many good times were had and we bowled well into the evening. This was one of the more successful activities planned this weekend. The other ridiculously fun activity was salsa lessons. Yuppers, they put 35 foreign exchange students in a room together and taught us how to dance! Boy I be it was entertaining to watch. And man oh man did I get shown up by the brasilian and mexican girls! Can they move there hips or can they move their hips! IT WAS UNBELIEVEABLE! I feel like a complete and utter square now. Here all the American Girls were trying so hard to shake our booties, but all we ended up doing was looking like we had to pee or something. So I discovered I'm not the most graceful nor am I the most coordinated being on this planet but I still had a lot of fun trying to get my hips to cooperate with my brain.
And then there was the Hotel. I'm just gonna come right out and say it: It was THE sketchiest place I have ever stayed in my entire life. But it did just make the weekend that much more memorable. Before I even stepped foot in the building I was beginning to feel a little concerned. It was this giant square dirty, grey, block of concrete with bars on some of the windows. Mhhhhmmmm. I know. Great first impression. We walked into the lobby and much to my surprise it looked pretty decent, like any 3 star hotel. We got our keys and headed on up. To get upstairs you had to take one of those nightmarish tin boxes which pass as elevators in slovakia, so I opted for the staircase. Taking the stairs I had the opportunity to briefly see all the floors and much to my dissapointment as I went higher and higher, they were in worse and worse condition, which was just wonderful because I happened to be staying on the top floor. I finally made it up there luggage in tow only to discover my be-a-u-tiful room. not. I have pictures so you can see for yourself but here's a quich rundown: the cupboard doors were falling off, there was a puddle on the floor and a constant drip from the ceiling, the bathroom doors didn't close, the shower had a black hose, the water ran brown first, the lighting was virtually nn existant, the carpet was coming up, and the radiator starting spurting water randomly. As I sat down on my bed to take it all in I could help but burst out laughing. Oh how I love the expereinces I have encountered while in Slovakia! I mean when else would I ever find myself in a place like this?
And the adventures don't stop there. On our last day we were scheduled to take a tram to the train station where everyone would get on a train to their seperate cities. Seemed simple enough but perhaps mother nature thought it was too easy, so she put her own twist on things. All 35 of us slowly but surely made our way outside only to discover even more snow. ughhhh. So there we were trudging through the snow WITH our luggage to the tram station where we proceeded to stand, frozen by the wind, for 30 minutes waiting for our tram which never came. So not funny. So we had to walk the six or seven blocks to the train station which wouldn't have been that bad had it been a beautiful summers day out, but that it was not! I'm sure we looked more than a little ridiculous, a string of 30 plus people hiking through the city with luggage on their backs, through a snow storm, but we made it! Our train ended up being delayed three hours so we got to hang out at the train station while a man tried to steal one girl's purse and a trio of homeless people sang to us. It really was quite the adventure but I guess the important part is I made it home in one piece and I saw and did a lot of things I wouldn't/couldn't have done on my own. Leave it to Rotary to put on an unforgettable weekend!
But yes there was a snow storm and I was fortunate enough to get to walk right through it. Let me tell you while I've been in Slovakia I've become quite well acquatinted with the elements. So this weeend our destination was Kosice. The second largest city in Slovakia,renowned for it's historical sites and buildings. We were scheduled to tour the city center on foot which was not quite as enjoyable as we were forced to wade through knee deep snow which was only getting deeper by the minute. It in times like this that I am happy to be Canadian. You should have seen how cold the poor mexicans, brasilians, and Australians were. The poor things. But snow and all, the city was pretty spectacular and has been chosen as the European cultural centre for 2013 I believe. We visited the main cathedral downtown and it as absolutely stunning. We then proceeded through the blizzard to a museum which happened to be situated in an ancient prison. Now let me just say it now.... I would never EVER want to be captured and held in a Slovak prison back in the day. It was scary! There were torture devices and chains and all kinds of crazy things. Now don't ask me why on earth the Rotarians decided to take us there, perhaps they were sending us a message "be good or else!".
After viewing the torture chamber and various other tools for imprisonment we went out bowling! It was super fun just to have the chance to sit and talk and eat and drink with all the other exchange students and catch up on life (our slovak life that is). Many good times were had and we bowled well into the evening. This was one of the more successful activities planned this weekend. The other ridiculously fun activity was salsa lessons. Yuppers, they put 35 foreign exchange students in a room together and taught us how to dance! Boy I be it was entertaining to watch. And man oh man did I get shown up by the brasilian and mexican girls! Can they move there hips or can they move their hips! IT WAS UNBELIEVEABLE! I feel like a complete and utter square now. Here all the American Girls were trying so hard to shake our booties, but all we ended up doing was looking like we had to pee or something. So I discovered I'm not the most graceful nor am I the most coordinated being on this planet but I still had a lot of fun trying to get my hips to cooperate with my brain.
And then there was the Hotel. I'm just gonna come right out and say it: It was THE sketchiest place I have ever stayed in my entire life. But it did just make the weekend that much more memorable. Before I even stepped foot in the building I was beginning to feel a little concerned. It was this giant square dirty, grey, block of concrete with bars on some of the windows. Mhhhhmmmm. I know. Great first impression. We walked into the lobby and much to my surprise it looked pretty decent, like any 3 star hotel. We got our keys and headed on up. To get upstairs you had to take one of those nightmarish tin boxes which pass as elevators in slovakia, so I opted for the staircase. Taking the stairs I had the opportunity to briefly see all the floors and much to my dissapointment as I went higher and higher, they were in worse and worse condition, which was just wonderful because I happened to be staying on the top floor. I finally made it up there luggage in tow only to discover my be-a-u-tiful room. not. I have pictures so you can see for yourself but here's a quich rundown: the cupboard doors were falling off, there was a puddle on the floor and a constant drip from the ceiling, the bathroom doors didn't close, the shower had a black hose, the water ran brown first, the lighting was virtually nn existant, the carpet was coming up, and the radiator starting spurting water randomly. As I sat down on my bed to take it all in I could help but burst out laughing. Oh how I love the expereinces I have encountered while in Slovakia! I mean when else would I ever find myself in a place like this?
And the adventures don't stop there. On our last day we were scheduled to take a tram to the train station where everyone would get on a train to their seperate cities. Seemed simple enough but perhaps mother nature thought it was too easy, so she put her own twist on things. All 35 of us slowly but surely made our way outside only to discover even more snow. ughhhh. So there we were trudging through the snow WITH our luggage to the tram station where we proceeded to stand, frozen by the wind, for 30 minutes waiting for our tram which never came. So not funny. So we had to walk the six or seven blocks to the train station which wouldn't have been that bad had it been a beautiful summers day out, but that it was not! I'm sure we looked more than a little ridiculous, a string of 30 plus people hiking through the city with luggage on their backs, through a snow storm, but we made it! Our train ended up being delayed three hours so we got to hang out at the train station while a man tried to steal one girl's purse and a trio of homeless people sang to us. It really was quite the adventure but I guess the important part is I made it home in one piece and I saw and did a lot of things I wouldn't/couldn't have done on my own. Leave it to Rotary to put on an unforgettable weekend!
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