Fireworks
11 December, 2005. 3:05pm. Trnava, Slovakia.
Those gunshots that I thought I heard? They're actually fireworks (much to my relief, since I keep hearing them all over the city, and at greater frequencies everyday). Turns out it is Slovak tradition to celebrate Christmas with fireworks....and, well, lots of people are just celebrating early I guess.... Funny thing is, these are just "big bang" fireworks--I've never seen any actual lights in the sky accompanying the noise.....
What else is new? Well, to be truthful, not a hell of a lot. I hate to admit this, but I'm actually bored! I've been in Trnava now for less than a week, and I swear I've walked every street. I don't start working until tommorow, so I've had a lot of free time on my hands. Foolishly I didn't use this time to travel somewhere else....but I had little things to do in the meantime--like get a phone, and pay brief (too brief) visits to friends. For instance, this weekend my big highlight was supposed to be a trip to Piestany to visit Kristina (this is where her parents live, and where she spends most of her weekends). Well, for reasons I don't completely understand, I was only in Piestany for two hours! Now I don't know whether to be happy I saw Kristina even briefly, or annoyed that I wasted my whole weekend for a two hour visit!! I still have a lot to learn I guess--and dating protocol is only the half of it.... But I start working tommorow, thank goodness. That'll keep me busy.
A funny thing about my residence: during the week, the place is a madhouse, crawling with teenagers. But by Friday at 5pm, the place is completely dead! I swear, I'm the only person in the whole building this weekend! And on Friday I received my very own key to the showers...it's funny how such small things can give a person pleasure....
As for the drama with the Canadian Language School, there's nothing new to report since they emailed me demanding more than 6,000 crowns in retribution. But I've been advised to ignore this email. I didn't sign a contract, so I see no way that I can be considered responsible for paying this money. Oh, and just to clear up a little confusion: the Canadian Language School is NOT the same outfit that I've been working for the past three summers. Each summer since 2003 I've worked for the Canadian Summer School in Modra. This is a very different school. My friend Miro, who has done so much for me over the past two weeks, is a principle organizer of the Canadian Summer School. With the exception of one dud teacher, I've had nothing but positive experiences with the CSS in Modra, and I fully intend to work for them again this summer. You see, in Slovakia, "Canadian" is a popular way to sell products--particularly for language schools. The CLS, for example, in actuality only employs about two Canadian teachers--the rest are Americans, Brits, Ozzies, Slovaks, and even a South African. Slovaks prefer Canadian English to American or British because Canadian English tends to be a mix of both. "Canadian" also helps to sell hot apple and pear drinks. At the restaurant that I had lunch at today, there was a card on the table advertising "authentic Canadian" hot apple drink. I tried it, and it's really just warm apple juice....
I have an address now, for those interested (I think):
c/o
Stredna Priemyseliva
Skola Stavebna
Lomonosovova 7
TRNAVA 917 08
SLOVAKIA
It remains to be seen if I'll actually recieve any mail at this address....
Hope the weather is fine back home, and thanks for all of your interesting comments and emails!!
Those gunshots that I thought I heard? They're actually fireworks (much to my relief, since I keep hearing them all over the city, and at greater frequencies everyday). Turns out it is Slovak tradition to celebrate Christmas with fireworks....and, well, lots of people are just celebrating early I guess.... Funny thing is, these are just "big bang" fireworks--I've never seen any actual lights in the sky accompanying the noise.....
What else is new? Well, to be truthful, not a hell of a lot. I hate to admit this, but I'm actually bored! I've been in Trnava now for less than a week, and I swear I've walked every street. I don't start working until tommorow, so I've had a lot of free time on my hands. Foolishly I didn't use this time to travel somewhere else....but I had little things to do in the meantime--like get a phone, and pay brief (too brief) visits to friends. For instance, this weekend my big highlight was supposed to be a trip to Piestany to visit Kristina (this is where her parents live, and where she spends most of her weekends). Well, for reasons I don't completely understand, I was only in Piestany for two hours! Now I don't know whether to be happy I saw Kristina even briefly, or annoyed that I wasted my whole weekend for a two hour visit!! I still have a lot to learn I guess--and dating protocol is only the half of it.... But I start working tommorow, thank goodness. That'll keep me busy.
A funny thing about my residence: during the week, the place is a madhouse, crawling with teenagers. But by Friday at 5pm, the place is completely dead! I swear, I'm the only person in the whole building this weekend! And on Friday I received my very own key to the showers...it's funny how such small things can give a person pleasure....
As for the drama with the Canadian Language School, there's nothing new to report since they emailed me demanding more than 6,000 crowns in retribution. But I've been advised to ignore this email. I didn't sign a contract, so I see no way that I can be considered responsible for paying this money. Oh, and just to clear up a little confusion: the Canadian Language School is NOT the same outfit that I've been working for the past three summers. Each summer since 2003 I've worked for the Canadian Summer School in Modra. This is a very different school. My friend Miro, who has done so much for me over the past two weeks, is a principle organizer of the Canadian Summer School. With the exception of one dud teacher, I've had nothing but positive experiences with the CSS in Modra, and I fully intend to work for them again this summer. You see, in Slovakia, "Canadian" is a popular way to sell products--particularly for language schools. The CLS, for example, in actuality only employs about two Canadian teachers--the rest are Americans, Brits, Ozzies, Slovaks, and even a South African. Slovaks prefer Canadian English to American or British because Canadian English tends to be a mix of both. "Canadian" also helps to sell hot apple and pear drinks. At the restaurant that I had lunch at today, there was a card on the table advertising "authentic Canadian" hot apple drink. I tried it, and it's really just warm apple juice....
I have an address now, for those interested (I think):
c/o
Stredna Priemyseliva
Skola Stavebna
Lomonosovova 7
TRNAVA 917 08
SLOVAKIA
It remains to be seen if I'll actually recieve any mail at this address....
Hope the weather is fine back home, and thanks for all of your interesting comments and emails!!
posted by BFRE at 3:03 p.m.
3 Comments:
I'm very relieved that this school isn't the same as the summer one. You'd said so much positive about them - I couldn't imagine them turning evil so quickly!
Have you checked out the Museum of Literary Culture yet? Is it as "right up your alley" as it sounds?
I hope Christmas in Slovakia is lots of fun for you, fireworks and all! Do you have a break from teaching for the holidays? If you do have a break, are you going to travel through the country or Europe at all? I would love to go to a Christmas mass in another culture. But then, I like weird things. Hmm, I bet since Trnava has such a musical history, they probably have some great church choirs. I think if you don't already have plans for the day (like maybe spending it with your friends), you should head to the nearest hostel on Christmas Day. It's always fun to see how different countries celebrate Christmas and I think you'd get the greatest variety of that at a hostel.
Do you think there's going to be a problem with recieving mail at the place (ie, it will get swiped) or that noone will send you mail or both? I know I plan to send you something, I'm just not sure what would be best yet (and what will actually get through customs - maybe I should just aim lower and send a postcard or something?). And on the topic of communication, do you prefer to recieve replies here or actual emails?
Good to see its all working out for you. I was worried with all the BS you were going through with the other school.
Nothing like fireworks early in the morning to keep you on your toes. Just think, this is the warm up to christmas. There'll be no sleeping Christmas eve.
Take care,
Good luck with school
Keith
hey Brendan, I've just sent you a postcard at that address, let us know if it arrives...
Post a Comment
<< Home