"OH CHEAP BEER AND A WHOLE LOT O ..." a Slovakia Travel Page by Amelei

Czech heavy metal is still playing in my ear, as the wheels hum gently on the train tracks.Where am i? oh god, i feel awful! Where the f..k am i? I look wearlily out the window of the train that is pulling into some deserted town. I cant focus i am so hung over! What happened last night? my head hurts.....Welcome to SLovakia!!

Vague recollections of arriving in some backward part of the Czec republic... its 10pm and Friday night, nothing is open. i have my backpack, it hurts me! i find a pub with my sister and Slovak friend. Its a pub for young under aged wannabes. Heavy metal is playing. It hurts me. i drink vodka. it hurts me. i drink Czec spirits, it's really hurting me, i meet some young girl who speaks english and offers hash- it really hurts me. i partake in the Czec feast- im hurting!!!!!!

Arrive in Bratoslava hurting like nothing else. its hot . There is a medieval festival- but i dont care less. im in so much pain i need to be one with the toilet and pass out cold! Did i mention that everything hurts me!!

I find a friend with an apartment in the middle of bratoslave. i havnt seen him for months but i dont care. i run to the toilet and the pain lingers on.

After a day of this i finally get it together and this night of pain repeats itself regularly. these guys know how to party and how to drink. Stupidly i dive in head first...........

Other than the obvious pain that goes with being friends with Slovaks, that introduce you to other slovaks, who like to drink and cause you pain with Borovica ( however you spell that evil drink), Slovakia is one beautiful country, destined to be one of the loveliest for any grass roots traveller.

Bratoslava, the old town compromises old meets new. There are some gorgeous cafes and small cobblestone streets that weave their ways in and out of each other. I love the old school CD shops, pubs, and goulash ( traditional Slovak and Czec meal). The people are overwhelmingly hospitable, and i would even go as far to say some of the most generous races of people i have met.

I had the most amazing time in Slovakia and hence to say i have been back about 4 times. In summer we climbed mountains, and the following summer i was back at the Pahoda festival getting my groove on on an old airstrip turned music festval that expanded over 3 days. I got to see Morcheeba, Zero 7, Gentleman, Babylon Circus to name a few outstanding acts. I also witnessed the winters here at - 25deg. I thought i was going to die considering i had never seen snow before in my life. It was a first time for everything!

I stayed and had dinner with gypsies that slaughtered a goat in our honour. I saw the old town of Trencin and other amazing experiences.

This is a country i highly recogmend.