Aug 8-9 Relaxing in Bratislava

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These days were pretty chill. I just headed into the city center for a few hours on each day and relaxed and refreshed the rest of the time. One of the things I noticed is that a lot of the workforce, at least in the pharmacy and airport, were pretty young - close to my age (under 25). This might be due to the need to speak English in those jobs, but may also reflect the general workforce in Bratislava.

DAY 1

HVIEZDOSLAV SQUARE

This is where the cafe was located. There was a LONG and pretty fountain, but I couldn't get a good picture because of the rain.

CAFE VERNE

Tomato soup - not as acidic as the tomato soups I'm used to it. A little sweet and smoky, probably from bell peppers. Some additional spices also possible. Topped with a dollop of sour cream

Duck breast with purple cabbage and crepe - purple cabbage was sweet and sour, almost pickled but not quite, balanced out saltiness and meatiness of duck. crepe was again like pancakes from childhood - very filling, thickest ones so far, actually hard to cut with a so-so dinner knife

Also the inside space was very cozy. Almost like in someone's home.

NIVY CENTRUM

This is a newly built bus station / mall. There are many businesses, ranging from financial offices and eyeglass stores to home goods, clothing, and grocery stores.

Look at the fancy restaurant next to the discount clothing shop

The main reason I was there was to practice piano!

Also I noticed that the cigarette prices are very cheap, 4 euros for a pack of Marlboro, compared to 12-15 dollars in the US, at least in NY.

DAY 2

NIVY CENTRUM

I came back to play the piano. I got to listen to a man who looked homeless play the piano and watch him earn a few bucks. I also struck up a conversation with a Ukrainian studying international relations in Bratislava. (Well really he started the conversation.) He shared his desires to start learning music at the age of 25 and also to live in NYC!

SLOVAK PUB

Cesnakova polievka v bochniku - creamy garlic soup served in a bread bowl. taste like what it's made of - cream, fresh pieces of garlic, shredded mozzarella cheese. bread that soaked up soup tastes like garlic bread!

BOTANICAL GARDEN OF CORMENIUS UNIVERSITY

Rose garden

Cool wooded trails that made me feel like I was going on an adventure

Conservatory / greenhouse

MORE FOOD IN BRATISLAVA

Marta's food

  • Egg, potato, onion, pepper, sausage scramble
  • Cabbage soup - [canned] tomato base, sweetness from cabbage, maybe some onions?? only hint if so, chicken chunks, caraway
  • Crepes - eggs, milk, flour
Giant loaves of bread - pretty big and wide

Valerian (vegetable) - I thought I never had this vegetable before, but turns out they often use it as a garnish for dishes I've had in Italy.

Wheat malt beer - not as clean of a flavor as simply barley malt beer...I realized that I've gotten used to light malt beers. perhaps similar to what kvas tastes like??

Parenica (creamy smoked cheese) - according to wikipedia it is also steamed! only lightly smoked, adds something special to a creamy spreadable (semi-soft) cheese

FLIGHT BACK TO MILAN
From my window seat on the plane, I noticed many windmills in the area, about the same number that I saw flying into Amsterdam! Probably because the land is flat, which makes it good for farming and windmills.

Beautiful view both near and far


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