Bratislava Slovakia
Up Warsaw Poland
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Istanbul Turkey
Sofia Bulgaria
Belgrade Serbia
Bar Montenegro
Bijelo Polje Montenegro
Peje Kosovo
Pristina Kosovo

Budapest Hungary
Bratislava Slovakia
Warsaw Poland
Gdansk Poland

Braniewo Poland

Kaliningrad Russia Federation
Las Vegas, Nevada USA

 

 


Bratislava - Passengers watching the departure board for the Budapest train leaving for Berlin and points between, including Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - This is the departure board showing the Budapest train leaving for Berlin and points between, including Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - This is the departure board showing the Budapest train leaving for Berlin and points between, including Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - This lady is intensely watching the departure board for the Budapest train leaving for Berlin and points between, including Bratislava Slovakia.

 
Bratislava - Passengers dashing for the Budapest train leaving for Berlin and points between, including Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - Passengers dashing for the Budapest train leaving for Berlin and points between, including Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - This is the Budapest train leaving for Berlin and points between, including Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - Beyond the snow in the plaza guards in fancy uniforms stand at the entrance to the Presidential Palace while this huge spherical sculpture dominates a fountain pedestal in front of the palace.


Bratislava - Guards in fancy uniforms stand at the entrance to the Presidential Palace.


Bratislava - Beyond the snow in the plaza guards in fancy uniforms stand at the entrance to the Presidential Palace while this huge spherical sculpture dominates a fountain pedestal in front of the palace.


Bratislava - Spectacular tower near St. Michael's Gate can be seen for quite some distance.


Bratislava - Looking down one of the colorful narrow pedestrian walks toward the large open plaza where children played during my visit.


Bratislava - Looking down one of the colorful narrow pedestrian walks toward the large open plaza where children played during my visit.


Bratislava - Pattern of cobble stones common throughout the Old Town.


Bratislava - Iron cross sculpture mounted beside a church in the old part of the city.


Bratislava - Decorations over the entrance to one of the churches in the Old Town.


Bratislava - Entrance to the city hall or court house... or maybe both.


Bratislava - The city hall tower in the background can be see for many blocks over the surrounding buildings.


Bratislava - Cluster of sculptures in a yard next to one of the main churches in the Old Town.


Bratislava - Trams like this one crisscross the city and run frequently. Recent snow falls have left drifts everywhere.


Bratislava - Trams like this one crisscross the city and run frequently.


Bratislava - Whimsical sculptures integrated with a mail box.


Bratislava - Photo to remind me that even during the cold winter months people still like to buy things during a sale.


Bratislava - During my walks the first day in the city I found the Old Town and other major shopping streets, but failed to spot a single western fast food store. The second day riding buses and trams I finally came upon two McDonald's restaurants and had lunch in this one.


Bratislava - This is the traffic control turnstile installed in the McDonald's restaurants where I had lunch. Diners are allowed to pass without paying the fifty cents Euro charged non-customers! I had been under the impression use of restrooms always would be free in a Mac Donald's restaurant anywhere in the world; not in Slovakia!


Bratislava - This is the international information counter in the train station where agents speak a limited version of English and dispense international train time table information with reluctance.


Bratislava - This is one of the ticket tellers who cannot sell international tickets, nor provide any train schedule information for such trains.


Bratislava - This is the train departure display board where people stand around watching for changes in the schedule and boarding information for their train.


Bratislava - Boarding platform from which I entered my train to Warsaw, empty until a few minutes before the scheduled departure.


Bratislava - Boarding platform from which I entered my train to Warsaw, empty until a few minutes before the scheduled departure.

 

SmallBook20 February 2013
 

Greetings from Bratislava Slovakia,

The 09:45 Budapest train arrived in Bratislava station at 12:10. I took the opportunity while in the station to inquiry about onward train schedules. Because there is a possibility of visiting Kaliningrad as a part of a Baltic Sea cruise I wanted to check out transportation options from Slovakia to one of the Polish port cities on the Black Sea, either Gdansk or Wroclaw. None of the ticket sellers could speak enough English to understand my queries and all were short tempered with my inability to speak their language, Slovak [My one word in the language is Ďakujem (JAH-koo-yehm) which means "thanks."]. One exasperated agent finally made me understand I should visit the international information window in a separate terminal location. The international information agent did understand enough of my needs to print out a train schedule for Warsaw, indicating as best as I could determine that any trip to the Baltic Sea coast would need to start in Warsaw. On the printed time table I saw the next direct train to Warsaw wouldn't leave until 22:58. There were other trains, but they all required quick changes of trains at intermediate stops, something I felt might be risky for anyone not speaking Polish.

Hanging across the exit passage from the arriving trains where all arriving passengers couldn't miss it, a prominent banner proclaimed: "Welcome to Slovakia." Given the cold welcome I'd received from the ticket agents I had to wonder if the sign might be a subtle reminder to railroad staff to be more friendly to foreign visitors! With the Warsaw train schedule safely tucked away I left the station and started my search for a hotel or alternately someplace to wait out the 11PM train departure time in eleven hours.

The Mercure Hotel is only a block from the train station, but their 99+ Euro sticker shock room rates made that a short unsatisfying visit. The receptionist noting my obvious pecuniary limitations suggested a really cheap nearby hostel. One quick look at the older, low budget Possonium Hostal and I moved on, though the description at their website makes it look like a pretty good value for anyone on a rock bottom budget.

About two blocks south of the train station I came upon the four star Hotel abba (their lower case spelling). The rack rate of 65 Euros didn't sound too outrageous until the receptionist noted breakfast would be an additional 12 Euros... plus various taxes. Pleading for a discount, she finally offered me the ten percent discount 73 Euro deal which included breakfast and all taxes. The abba is an excellent property and clearly worth all the posted stars. Compared to the Crown Plaza opposite the Presidential Palace at well over a hundred Euros per night, it is a good value for this expensive capital city.

The Hotel abba is nearly perfect; I say nearly because there are a couple management issues which need attention. First, the security box in the room was locked closed requiring a special visit by a maintenance guy who paused just long enough after opening it to suggest he might be expecting some reward for doing this little service, a service which would not have been necessary if the room had been properly prepared for a new guest. Second, loud and up beat music thrilled guests trying to enjoy a quiet leisurely breakfast. I'm sure the person who selected the music found it wonderful for shopping or beer drinking. Loud, fast beat music says: "Hurry up. Get moving!" That is not the message guests want to hear during their first cup of coffee in a hotel. In a fine hotel such as the abba something closer to wedding music is more appropriate, in my opinion. The reception staff have been uniformly friendly and all speak some English, most quite well. The decor is formal and cool colors, which probably is better appreciated during hot summer months, but not at all unpleasant with snow falling outside when it actually feels color coordinated!

After checking into the abba I walked down to the Centrum area of the "Little Big City" and noted that slogan on many of the numerous trams running around the Old Town area. Sensing something different about the city I noted few Western fast food outlets have managed to make inroads here. Infrastructure and customs have remained pretty much unchanged from earlier times.  The history of the country and Bratislava in particular is full of conflict. The Old Town has been restored and rebuilt many times after being damaged by wars. Today, it might look a lot like it did hundreds of years ago when still a center of culture and commerce.

People, young and old stroll around in the freezing temperatures like on a warm spring day... except for all the down coats and fur lined hoods. Colorful cafes invite shoppers to stop for a coffee or quick lunch; I chose an obscure little pizza restaurant for a big, 2 person mushrooms and salami pie and a half liter of local beer to wash it down. Children play in the open plazas totally oblivious to the weather, like children everywhere. With such a long history there has been a lot of time for beautifying the city and I have never seen more outdoor sculptures in one place, many with humorous themes.

On my second day in the city I decided I'd like a wider taste of things Slovakian. A day pass for all the trams and buses is only 4.50 Euros. As I had already walked a lot of the Old City, all that afternoon I rode buses and trams around the periphery of the city and into the suburbs. During one of the rides I came across two Mac Donald's restaurants and jumped off the tram at one for a bite to eat. The young man behind the counter apparently spoke just enough English to take Big Mac orders, but made change for a ten Euros note when I had given him a twenty! With no common language and the possibility the error was deliberate I faced a dilemma. So, I just stood there pointing to the coins he had offered as change and then pulling my other Euro bills out and pointing to a twenty Euro bill. He mumbled "ten" while I remained standing still, finally calling his manager over who opened the cash register. Fetching the missing ten Euro bill and the receipt which showed 20 Euros tendered he sheepishly stepped back with a pathetic expression on his face. Given all the ambiguities in the situation I am still not sure if the "error" occurred by accident or intent. Ah, the joys of traveling in a foreign country where you speak not a word of the local language.

With flurries of snow falling and after only two nights in the capital city of Slovakia I hiked over to the train station to catch the 10:13 to Warsaw. The train started in Budapest a couple hours earlier and I admired everything about my second class seating compartment this time. During the seven hours trip north to the capital of Poland I could see the results of numerous recent snow storms; scenery along the route looked like pages from a Christmas picture book: all the trees burdened by snow bending their branches. I took lots of pictures, but most came out "black and white." I wonder why. The next postcard should come from somewhere in Poland... or possibly Kaliningrad, my ultimate destination for exploration of eastern Europe. 

Peace

Fred L Bellomy

 

 

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/cia12/slovakia_sm_2012.gif
Bratislava - Map of Slovakia.


Bratislava - Large banner welcomes train passengers to the country. Given the unhelpful people in the ticket and information windows I wonder if the banner is an effort to encourage staff to be more friendly with foreign visitors.


Bratislava - Passengers leaving the train station.



Bratislava - Guards in fancy uniforms stand at the entrance to the Presidential Palace.


Bratislava - Guards in fancy uniforms stand at the entrance to the Presidential Palace while this huge spherical sculpture dominates a fountain pedestal in front of the palace.


Bratislava - Beyond the snow in the plaza guards in fancy uniforms stand at the entrance to the Presidential Palace while this huge spherical sculpture is displayed prominently on a fountain pedestal in front of the palace.


Bratislava - Spectacular tower near St. Michael's Gate can be seen over the tops of buildings lining this street.


Bratislava - Looking down one of the colorful narrow pedestrian walks through St. Michaels gate toward the large open plaza where children played during my visit.


Bratislava - Looking down one of the colorful narrow pedestrian walks toward the large open plaza where children played during my visit.


Bratislava - Pattern of cobble stones common throughout the Old Town.


Bratislava - Looking down one of the colorful narrow pedestrian walks toward the large open plaza where children played during my visit.


Bratislava - Sculptures look down on the plaza near the city hall.


Bratislava - "Found and restored in 1977." reads the carving according to my hotel receptionist. She thinks it is an old well, but it appears to have evidence of burning so I wonder if it might have been one of those "eternal flames" monuments.


Bratislava - Cluster of sculptures in a yard next to one of the main churches in the Old Town.


Bratislava - Cluster of sculptures in a yard next to one of the main churches in the Old Town.


Bratislava - Cluster of sculptures in a yard next to one of the main churches in the Old Town. The little girl standing next to this colossal sculpture shows the scale of the art.


Bratislava - Strangely decorated building which houses the museum.


Bratislava - Trams like this one crisscross the city and run frequently. Recent snow falls have left drifts everywhere.


Bratislava - The city's slogan is prominently displayed on many of the trams running around the Old Town area of the city.

 

No more photos from this visit.

 

 

 


Bratislava - Arriving passengers dashing for the exit after arriving in Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - Arriving passengers dashing for the exit after arriving in Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - Arriving passengers dashing for the exit after arriving in Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - Arriving passengers dashing for the exit after arriving in Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - Sign on the window of a car in the Budapest to Berlin train I took to Bratislava Slovakia.


Bratislava - Looking back at the train station from the area where all the taxi cabs wait for arriving passengers.


Bratislava - Looking back at the train station from the area where all the city buses wait for arriving passengers.


Bratislava - Looking back at the train station on the way to the location of the Mercure Hotel.


Bratislava - Looking back at the train station about half way to the location of the Mercure Hotel.


Bratislava - This is the first hotel seen as you leave the train station and a very convenient place to stay for anyone with an early morning train to catch. The four star Mercure is a good choice for those willing to part with 99 Euros per night. I've stayed in other Mercures with lower room rates and can report they are generally good values.


Bratislava - Entrance to the 4 star 73 Euro Hotel abba where I stayed for my two nights in Bratislava.


Bratislava - View from the window in my room at the Hotel abba where I stayed for my two nights in Bratislava.


Bratislava - This is the 4 star 73 Euro Hotel abba where I stayed for my two nights in Bratislava.


Bratislava - Breakfast buffet setup at the Hotel abba where I stayed for my two nights in Bratislava.


Bratislava - One of four monochrome art works on the walls of the breakfast dining room at the Hotel abba where I stayed for my two nights in Bratislava. It is an artist's rendition of an actual popular sculpture in Old Town.


Bratislava - One of four monochrome art works on the walls of the breakfast dining room at the Hotel abba where I stayed for my two nights in Bratislava. It is an artist's rendition of an actual popular sculpture in Old Town.


Bratislava - One of four monochrome art works on the walls of the breakfast dining room at the Hotel abba where I stayed for my two nights in Bratislava. It is an artist's rendition of an actual popular sculpture in Old Town.


Bratislava - This is the 4 star 73 Euro Hotel abba where I stayed for my two nights in Bratislava.


Bratislava - Spectacular tower near St. Michael's Gate can be seen for quite some distance.


Bratislava - Bronze plaque in the sidewalk at the entrance to Old Town commemorating the "First witch burned to death in Bratislava in 1609."


Bratislava - This is Trinitarian Church, built by the Hungarians. in 1727. It is situated near the gate to the Old Town.


Bratislava - Odd sculpture a bear covered with splatters of paint.


Bratislava - Statue honoring Dr. A. Kolisek: long dead and pretty much forgotten (found little about him during an Internet search). No doubt he had many admirers during his lifetime, something for the rest of us to consider.


Bratislava - In the very heart of the Old Town I found this large open plaza area being used by a couple dozen children for play.


Bratislava - In the very heart of the Old Town I found this large open plaza area being used by a couple dozen children for play.


Bratislava - Cluster of sculptures in a yard next to one of the main churches in the Old Town.


Bratislava - Cluster of sculptures in a yard next to one of the main churches in the Old Town.


Bratislava - Cluster of sculptures in a yard next to one of the main churches in the Old Town.


Bratislava - Cluster of sculptures in a yard next to one of the main churches in the Old Town.

Reference photo: author
 August 2002
 

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