A fortunate coincidence occurred this past week: the first real spring weather coincided with the arrival of our first guest of the year, Jo’s friend Kim from NYC.
Our short time together was packed with sight-seeing and culinary adventure.
Kim somehow managed to get Jo up to the open air viewing platform atop Bratislava’s highest point, located on top of the ’novy most’ or new bridge.
After a brief snap of photos, we climbed down to the safety of the bar and its panoramic view of the city and the Danube before heading out to dinner at a highly recommended Kogo http://www.kogo.sk/Page02.html where we ate extremely fresh and tasty fish.
Kim is not a meat eater and, as some of you may know, our adopted country’s reputation doesn’t show us Slovaks eating much other than pork, chicken, pork, chicken, pork. . . you get the idea.
Not so in reality. Kogo was an example of more and more restaurants offering fresh seabass, fresh langoustinos and other delights beyond the ritual carp at Christmas.
Chata Diviak has also expanded its culinary repertoire to include a hearty mushroom and lentil pithivier as well as salmon filet with a soy lime glaze (Kim's own creation).
Kim gamely joined in the wine tasting activities, discovering some of our favorite local whites; and downing the requisite shot of the local hooch (the bubbly we imported).
On the sight-seeing front, we once again had the opportunity to show off much of what we love about our new home in the Štiavnica Mountains. Kim saw Banská Štiavnica itself, and from a brand new vantage point: the apartment we’re renting for April and May while the chata gets a new kitchen, bathroom and a new set of stairs. The living room window overlooks the town’s imposing ‘starý zamok’ or old tower. From the small balcony to the east we can see the ‘Calvary Hill’; both views are stunning.
We had lunch on Banská Bystrica's famous sqaure, in a cozy cellar restaurant with vegetarian dishes on English-language menus.
Kim even had the joy of visiting our favorite food emporia: Bila, Tesco and our very special temple to consumption, Metro.
But perhaps the best time was on our cross-country hike to the village castle here in Svätý Anton. It was Sisi’s longest walk ever and we think she had the best sleep in ages. (Jo sure did.)
For a two-and-one-half day visit, we packed it in.
Thank you, Kim. Come back soon!
remember - if you invite me, I WILL show up. Thanks for a fun-filled few days! Love your home and the Slovak life you've built together!
Posted by: Kim | 03/25/2011 at 01:14 PM
... and a good time was had by all! (and more good times are in store for anyone who chooses to spend a few days with the host & hostess with the mostest in beautiful rural Slovakia). We are looking forward to our 3rd visit, long after completion of your remodel (probably 2012). xxxooo Carol
Posted by: Carol | 03/25/2011 at 03:23 PM
And thank goodness Scott is getting a haircut tomorrow in B'lava!
Posted by: JoEllen Zumberge | 03/25/2011 at 03:52 PM
No, no, no. That is the coolest picture of you both in the square. You guys look like bohemian mountain adventurers. Don't cut the hair!!!!
Posted by: Angele Switzler | 03/25/2011 at 05:15 PM
Angele: LOL!
Posted by: JoEllen Zumberge | 03/25/2011 at 05:19 PM