Bratislava on a peaceful Saturday morning and beautiful summer's evening

After a very bad night's sleep, due an incredibly bloated stomache full of the speciality potato gnocchi I had eaten the night before, I set off planning to work/ walk off what must have been  well over the average daily calorie intake!  I was most surprised to find the roads in the city completely deserted - Saturday morning about 10.00. What an incredibly clean city this is. It is extraordinary considering the crowds of people out and about in drunken stupours the evening before.

It is such a picturesque place to meander around. I thoroughly enjoyed my quiet morning alone in the city. Even a gregarious person like me needs peace and quiet and that is 100percent what I had.

The photo above was taken in the museum courtyard, and this photo below is the gorgeous view from the gates. Quite amazing to think that this near- empty square was packed last night and the inebriated German bridegroom- to- be was cavorting around there half naked!How a place can change in such a short time.

I was thrilled to find a market selling local organic produce. After last night, I felt it prudent to resist the many tasters. Pity.

Next to the market hall was a very  upmarket shopping arcade, with wonderfully plush armchairs, empty, with all  its shops closed on a Saturday morning. It seems so strange. 

I am so pleased I took the morning off the talks. I think it is vital to have a mix of the 'gathering', with its over 500 passionate language learners, and the local culture, etc. Lots of the participants seemed burnt out by the evening, a combination of the extreme heat and lack of air in the lecture halls , the noise and the concentration required to constantly change languages. I felt pretty good despite not being a heat- lover!

One thing I had on my bucket list here was to walk across one of the bridges, so that's exactly what I did. It was beautiful, with a pleasant breeze taking the heat out of the sun. Nice view of the UFO bridge and the castle, and I was practically alone.


Back to work/pleasure and this poster caught my eye. If you don't speak a Germanic language, it could appear rather  strange!
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After a fascinating talk on how emotions affect language learning, I went to a 100- minute introduction to esperanto. It was a fast track session giving us a good insight into the basics, and perhaps the kick start I needed. I had tried Online learning but could not get into it. This was much more fun! We created words from the parts of words seen below. It was great!

Dinner was not exciting, and after a nice drink with Monika and Matt, two Spanish/ French friends, on the balcony, I decided I could not cope with the noise and heat of the International Cultural event, and took myself into the city. I was lucky enough to travel in with Michael, my Green Hat guide. He is such a nice guy. I really hope he will be here next year!
Having crossed the river on the tram bridge in the morning, I found myself desperate to cross the UFO bridge. The spectacular sunset and the lovely views of the castle overlooking this pretty city made me immediately aware that I had made the right choice to head into town rather than go to the concert/ cultural event.

As I walked across, I had every intention of taking the 45- second lift ride to the lookout tower 90 metres above, but when I got there, I chickened out. The lift would have been too crowded for me, and anyway, I was so happy with the view anyway - upwards
And across the water
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What a brilliant last evening here. I wandered back to the restaurant I had visited on day one and enjoyed my glass of delicious Slovak wine whilst writing this and also watching the crowds go by. Lots of stag and hen parties, lots of drunks, or near-drunks! The view from my seat was also pretty special when there was a gap in the crowds.

As I returned home, I stopped to watch crowds of men leering at two young ladies, in skimpy clothing, dancing just above them on the bar. Strange world! I was happy to feel completely apart from it at times!

So now I am finishing this blog off in my rather hot appartment. What a fantastic 4 days it has been. I have met so many fascinating people from so many countries. Talks and workshops have been very motivating and I have fallen in love with Bratislava and the Slovak people I have met. I will be back, all going well. I am also torn as to which language to learn. I think I need to check out Icelandic, which many have said is a beautiful labguage. Only 4 days till we leave, but maybe I can learn a few basics! This gathering makes you so keen to get into language learning. 
Word of warning. When going to the toilets on campus, you may find out too late that there is no paper in the cubicle. Here, you have to take what paper you need before you go in to a cubicle. Interesting method. I would love to know if more or less paper is used! 

So, on that note, I will take my little propeller plane back to Zurich tomorrow, do some work in the office all day Monday and  Tuesday morning , visit Zuoz, and friends Marc and Tiziana, and then head away to Iceland with Trudi on Thursday. 😀 I really love fitting in work around pleasure!






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