Sylvester v Slovensko! New Years Eve in Slovakia

New Years Eve in Slovakia was the best I've ever had. Like a typical teen I went out with my friends here, and had a great time. We were at a friends flat until midnight and then went into the center city for the fire works, which were much more spectacular than anything I've ever seen Wisconsin do (no surprise there). After the fireworks we went to a different house and finished the night/morning. It was great, I never expected to meet some of the best friends I think I will ever have, here in Slovakia. They help so much with the language, but most of all they make me feel at home here, and I can honestly say at this point I never want to leave Slovakia. One year is not long enough!
The next day after arriving home late in the morning I fought off the urge to fall asleep the whole day, as we spent it with family here. Although I was unbelievably exhausted, it was a great way to spend New Years Day.
I must say, I really do love the way they do holidays here in Slovakia.
As much as I write in my blog, post on Facebook, and talk to people back in the USA, it's honestly impossible to explain exactly what it feels like to be here. The feelings I have experienced go beyond words, and I am continually amazed every day by just how beautiful my new home is.

Hitler gave his first speech to Austria here as Nazi soldiers marched through the city. 

 Most Modern Building in Vienna

 Christmas lights making the streets look like ballrooms

 My personal favorite church in Vienna

Tis' the Season to Celebrate like a Slovak

If anyone knows how to properly celebrate the holiday season, it's Slovakians. Between having champagne for breakfast, and fish in the bathtub, everything is exciting, and I honestly don't know what to expect. Ever.

When I returned home from a long day out with friends the week before Christmas, I was stunned to find four large carps in one of our bathrooms. Actually it scared me quite a bit. My host dad heard my reaction from a couple rooms away and with tears of laughter came in to explain that we would eat them for dinner, and they are kept in the tub so that they will be clean to eat. That was probably the only really strange thing that happened for Christmas. We had a great dinner, opened presents, and went to mass at 12 midnight (not fun after being exhausted from drinking all day). 

After Christmas I went back to Vienna, Austria to see the world famous Christmas lights. I was not disappointed. Spending the night in Baden, Austria (where Beethoven wrote most of his music) was a great getaway from my home away from home. 

Good Morning, Slovakia!

Just had to share, I truly believe that this is the best view to wake up to;

As November Continued...

As November Continued, I got to witness one of the most beautiful nights in Zilina. People came from all over Slovakia to meet in our center and lit lampions (paper lanterns). At 5 pm we all let them fly into the air. The point of lighting the lampion is to light it with loved ones, friends or family, and make a wish as you send it into the sky. I sent two; one with my classmates, and one with a different group of friends. Watching thousands of lights fly into the night sky was simply amazing and beautiful. The symbolism of wishes being made was absolutely amazing. Now, in Slovakia they don't celebrate Thanksgiving of course, and most people here have no idea what it is. But the other two Americans in the city next to mine and I couldn't bare to let the holiday go unnoticed. So, we decided to make thanksgiving dinner for the Rotarians. Conveniently, one of the Rotarians owns a small restaurant, and he not only let us use it for the preparation, but also bought all the ingredients for us and had his head chef help us cook the food. Since we were cooking for 50+ people, we made two turkeys and a whole lot of side dishes. Before we let them dig in, we gave a small speech in Slovak explaining what exactly the holiday is, and also we each told something we are thankful for, to provide an example for them. Needless to say, they all loved the dinner. We are glad that we got to share our tradition with them, and also that we didn't have to go a year without pumpkin pie. Here are some pictures from the lampions and also Thanksgiving.

Lots to Report

Sorry it's been so long since I last posted; the Slovak life keeps me very busy, and sometimes I forget about my blog.. I suppose I should catch you all up on what's been happening in chronological order. At the end of October I was given a pumpkin to carve from my host parents. This was a sweet surprise for me since Slovakia doesn't celebrate Halloween. Yet one more example of how amazing my host family has been. On the first weekend in November my host father's generous sister and her husband decided to take me on a trip. We first went to a huge castle in North Slovakia, which was absolutely amazing. Most of the castle is preserved, so we got the whole experience of being in a real castle. From there we went to a historic village from the 13th century that has been preserved. There, proving our luck, was a film being shot about the Communist takeover, and there were many actors dressed in police uniforms from Nazi Germany that we got to meet. Early the next morning we continued our journey; heading on to a town in Poland called Zakopane. This was by far the most beautiful place I have ever been. The town has a huge outdoor market, which we went through thoroughly, finding all home made furs and slippers, along with everything else you could possibly imagine. After we finished the market, we went out to eat the most delicious food I've ever tasted at an authentic Polish restaurant. Since the town is at the base of Slovakia's biggest mountains, the High Tatras, the view is amazing. After a nice afternoon walking the town and shopping, we headed back to Slovakia. On the way home we stopped at a place called Meander Park; an indoor and outdoor water spa with heated water. I have decided that sitting in a heated pool at the base of a beautiful mountain range, watching the sun set is one of the most relaxing ways to end the day. After we finished at the spa, we went home. It always continues to amaze me how I can go an hour North and be in Poland, an hour west and be in the Czech Republic, and 2 hours South-West and be in Austria. I am truly lucky to be living in such an amazing place with such amazing people. In these pictures you will see my lovely pumpkin with my host family, the castle in North Slovakia, Zakopane along with the High Tatras, and Meander Park.