Pekný Weekend
13 February, 2006. 7.55pm. Trnava, Slovakia.
This past weekend was very nice (pekný). Friday was a quiet evening (although I was lucky enough to pass by a public TV just as Bulgaria was entering the opening ceremony of the Torino Olympics... Seconds later the Canadian athletes walked in, followed by the Czech Republic, then I was on my way....). On Saturday morning I awoke early to catch a bus to Dechtice. This is the village (about 20 minutes north-west of Trnava) that Petra and her family live in. Along with my colleague, Mila, from SUT, we took a beautiful walk through Dechtice with Petra, her two sisters, brother, and cousin. Dechtice is in the Carpathians and is home to one of the oldest churches in Slovakia. This beautiful little church and cemetery were established in the 12th century. It has been renovated and reconstructed, of course, through the centuries, but it is still functioning today. We then continued on our walk into the hills above Dechtice–the weather was perfect: about -5 C, with light snow, and almost no wind. Local hunters cut a path through the snow into the hills, but otherwise the snow was untouched. I have only about a half-dozen memories of such perfect winter conditions in all my life, so I really appreciated this walk. I am told that this same walk in the summer and autumn is equally beautiful, and I believe it. After our walk, Petra’s family treated us to a wonderful lunch at their house, which included a surprise birthday cake for me! Mila and I returned to Trnava in the early evening and needless to say after all that fresh air and exercise I slept like a baby on Saturday night!
On Sunday afternoon I walked to Mila’s flat and watched a little bit of the Olympics with her son Michel. Following dinner, Mila and I went to the centre of Trnava to watch the much-anticipated concert of Diabolské Husle (Devil’s Violin). This is a Roma band, which if I’m not mistaken may be featured in the Canadian film, Red Violin. Their performance was stellar. The cimbal player, Ernest Šárkzi is probably one-of-a-kind in the whole world. By far, this is the best music I’ve seen performed in Slovakia thus far (and I’ve seen some great music!). Distinguished guests in the audience included the piano player from Slovak Superstar (rather than singing karaoke, like on American or Canadian Idol, contenders sing to a live piano player on Slovak Superstar). As you may know, relationships between Slovaks and Slovak Roma are not good, so to see such a positive audience reaction to the music of Diabolské Husle is hopeful, to say the least.
Next week is the winter holiday for the schools in Slovakia. I am trying to convince Petra to come with me on a trek to the Czech Republic.... No success yet, but I’m sure the week will not go to waste....
Tomorrow is St. Valentine's Day--Slovaks generally don't celebrate this day, but I think I'll bring some candies to school for the students....
This past weekend was very nice (pekný). Friday was a quiet evening (although I was lucky enough to pass by a public TV just as Bulgaria was entering the opening ceremony of the Torino Olympics... Seconds later the Canadian athletes walked in, followed by the Czech Republic, then I was on my way....). On Saturday morning I awoke early to catch a bus to Dechtice. This is the village (about 20 minutes north-west of Trnava) that Petra and her family live in. Along with my colleague, Mila, from SUT, we took a beautiful walk through Dechtice with Petra, her two sisters, brother, and cousin. Dechtice is in the Carpathians and is home to one of the oldest churches in Slovakia. This beautiful little church and cemetery were established in the 12th century. It has been renovated and reconstructed, of course, through the centuries, but it is still functioning today. We then continued on our walk into the hills above Dechtice–the weather was perfect: about -5 C, with light snow, and almost no wind. Local hunters cut a path through the snow into the hills, but otherwise the snow was untouched. I have only about a half-dozen memories of such perfect winter conditions in all my life, so I really appreciated this walk. I am told that this same walk in the summer and autumn is equally beautiful, and I believe it. After our walk, Petra’s family treated us to a wonderful lunch at their house, which included a surprise birthday cake for me! Mila and I returned to Trnava in the early evening and needless to say after all that fresh air and exercise I slept like a baby on Saturday night!
On Sunday afternoon I walked to Mila’s flat and watched a little bit of the Olympics with her son Michel. Following dinner, Mila and I went to the centre of Trnava to watch the much-anticipated concert of Diabolské Husle (Devil’s Violin). This is a Roma band, which if I’m not mistaken may be featured in the Canadian film, Red Violin. Their performance was stellar. The cimbal player, Ernest Šárkzi is probably one-of-a-kind in the whole world. By far, this is the best music I’ve seen performed in Slovakia thus far (and I’ve seen some great music!). Distinguished guests in the audience included the piano player from Slovak Superstar (rather than singing karaoke, like on American or Canadian Idol, contenders sing to a live piano player on Slovak Superstar). As you may know, relationships between Slovaks and Slovak Roma are not good, so to see such a positive audience reaction to the music of Diabolské Husle is hopeful, to say the least.
Next week is the winter holiday for the schools in Slovakia. I am trying to convince Petra to come with me on a trek to the Czech Republic.... No success yet, but I’m sure the week will not go to waste....
Tomorrow is St. Valentine's Day--Slovaks generally don't celebrate this day, but I think I'll bring some candies to school for the students....
posted by BFRE at 7:56 p.m.
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