After Krakow, we clamored into our personal travel bus with
the grumpy driver and made our way through the mountains to Černy Balog, a village in
Slovakia. I’m going to have to split this town into multiple posts because a
small non-profit group showed us around and pumped our days full of activities.
Get ready to be jealous as I show you the cabin-mansion, mountainous,
fresh-air haven where we stayed.
[View through the window]
Like Rehlovice, we were welcomed with shots of some
flavored vodka, or maybe the herbal hard liquor Becharovka, who can remember. The
shots kept flowing in Slovakia: we awoke to early morning liquor at a kind old
couple’s house.
[It must be a painful life for those who are less artsy than myself...]
We had one when we arrived, one in the middle, and another
before leaving, but who can remember.
This couple was adorable though. They showed us traditional
Slovakian dress, food, music (involving an accordion, the instrument of
angels), and weaving.
Oh yes, and dancing.
The first involunteer was myself, but others followed. Let me tell you, this
woman was ridiculously strong. Some of you readers may know that I can’t dance;
I hardly did anything in this traditional Slovakian partnership but we were
spinning at 20 miles per hour (sorry, kilometers) and stepping across the whole
kitchen. I basically just held on and hoped I wouldn’t be flung into the
traditional bread with lard and bacon on it (surprisingly better tasting than it sounds).
[And next was Naomi]
By the way, this house was adorable. (I would use a stronger
word there if I could think of one.)
[And this was in some sort of gazebo thing, furthering the adorableness to new levels]
So now you probably want to know about our third round of
shots:
[Perhaps I didn't make it clear to the subjects that a photo was taking place]
The day was far from over. More fresh air and obviously more
shots awaited us at the next farm.
To be continued…
