Bratislava, SLOVAKIA

Day 159

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Beijing Olymics are on their countdown for 2008 Olympics - which starts at 8.08am on 08-08-08!!!! (Whats the Chinese lucky number????!!!)
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Bratislava, Slovakia

((((NB Slovakia was once part of Czech Republic..when SLovakia got sick of the Hungarian Domination after WW1..and became Czechoslovakia, then it separtated again, to become Czech Republic and SLovakia when the Hitler was about to take over Czech Rep just before the war...because SLovakia was fascist and had the leader that was pro Hitler) then it got taken over by the Russians and became communist..until the nineties when it finally became democratic! Ok, enuff of the history lesson!))))))

This morning we headed off to Bratislava in Slovakia. Its so COOL being able to visit countries that are so close. Vienna is a great base for doing that thats for sure...

This time, i was prepared. After going to Budapest and enduiring the 3 hour trip in a cramped bus, i took my front pack loaded up with a book, an apple, raincoat, and two bottles of water!! (got stuck in Budapest not being able to buy water as we only had Euros and no florin left after wed used all the money we exchanged at the border to buy lunch!).

And off we went...

Didnt read the book, didnt need to change money as Bratislava uses Euro as well as their own currency..and didnt need the raincoat until the end (it poured when we got back ´home´to Vienna!)

Bratislava is only about 60 miles from Vienna..but it still took about an hour and a half to get there, by the time we got picked up from the train station..and then herded onto another bus...and then counted and settled in...

But that was ok..there was heaps to see on the way. Still had to take our passports and got them stamped....(which we love cos we like to see all the stamps..little things amuse little minds!)...

Bratislava’s location is on the banks of the River Danube and was at the crossroads of ancient trading routes right at the heart of Europe in ancient times.

It became a meeting point of various cultures. It was the home of the Celts, the Romans, and the Slavs ...

The reign of Saint Maria Theresa is regarded as an important golden era in the city’s history.

She was crowned Queen of Hungary in St. Martin’s cathedral in Pressburg..just like the 10 other kings and 8 royal partners over the course of 300 years when Pressburg (or now Bratislava as it is now called) was the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary.

Was Funny, cos our tour guide said that Hungary still claims Maria Theresa as their saint..even though Bratislava (then Pressburg) has now become Slovakia!!!

Bratislava is one of the youngest capitals in Europe...and as i said, it used to be called Pressburg or Pozsony. It was actually one of the most important cities in the Austro-Hungarian Empire during that period!

And it had a mixing pot of various nations and nationalities who lived together in peace and harmony.

The tour guide we had said that her grandparents were german and hungarian on one side..and italian and hungarian on the other side.

And they say that a true *Pressburgian* speaks four languages...Slovak, German, Hungarian and Mishmash. Even as recently as the 1980s you might have heard how older Pressburgians in the street would say a couple of words in German, a couple in Hungarian and a couple in Slovak all in the space of one sentence. Hence the mismash!

Also on the cafe bars and public buildings there were always three languages written so everone could understand!

That was until Hitler came along and ruined everything!!! After the war, 3 million Germans were sent home from SLovakia..leaving the country completely lost in culture and in skilled people so the country went downhill.

Our tour guide said her grandparents were allowed to stay because it was what they called a mixed marriage. Hungarian and German.

Imagine how the germans felt when they all had to leave??? Due to the Russians kicking them out! Their families were here for hundreds of years. Since the 13th and 14th centuries. And in one foul swoop, they had to leave and go back to Germany, all because of Hitler. Geepers. I really felt for them. Apprently there were 40% Germans living in Bratslava!!! Imagine 40% oe people leaving?? No wonder the economy suffered.

And apparently 43 of 47,000 jews died in Bratislava during WW2 due to a man who was pro Hitler and who was a priest, prime minister and president! He sold the names of all the jews to Hitler..and then Hitler killed them all.

When you think of it, Hitler ruined the name of all Germans. Throughout the world. Even today some people have a bad taste about Germans, associating it with Hitler....but when you go to Germany you realise how wonderful the people really are. We certainly found that out in Munich when we were there. And probably will when we go to Berlin as well. A city that i always associated with the war movies myself!

Anyway..thats the history of Bratislava.

Our experience there was quite wonderful. We had lunch at this gorgeous restaurant..and met this wonderful Swiss couple (from Lausanne where we stayed) who embarrassed us at the end by paying our bill!! ANd we heartily protested..but they insisted!! So generous! The man, who we didnt even know the name of...said he loved practising his english..and wanted to contribute to our travelling!!!

How nice was that!!!!???

Later, after discussing it between ourselves...Greg and i decided he was probably a rich swiss banker.......

Later..at the end of the day, we caught this fantastic catamaran back to Vienna..which landed us in the harbour..and of course....we didnt know where we were ..and how wed get back to westbanhof...

So we did what we do well.

We walked..along to Danube..until we found where we were....the only thing was..by this time..it was thundering and lightening..and clapping down with rain...

But it was kinda nice walking along in the rain...because it had been so hot and humid during the day..

Now to enjoy Vienna for another couple of days..

And of course...

Have my birthday here..my 45th! OUCH.

It will be a memorable day tho...birthday in Vienna...aww how romantic :-)

Ill tell you all about it after!!!!

Crikey..im getting OLD.

xxxx