Author Archives
-
The bliss of my language ignorance…
Ignorance actually is bliss – at least when it comes to my language inabilities. We lived in Slovakia nearly 18 months. In that time, I mastered a few basics: ordering a glass of wine; wishing a friend “good day”; asking… Read More ›
-
A Weekend for Pig Killing
A few weeks ago, we ate at one of our regular neighborhood restaurants. The manager is always solicitous, ensuring we understand the non translated list of specials. On this particular Saturday, all related to the tradition of a Slovak pig… Read More ›
-
Home to Budapest
The last few weeks have been filled with the stuff of moving: packing and hauling and unpacking; cleaning, and purging and buying anew; connecting our cable and figuring out where to buy the best produce. We crossed a border along… Read More ›
-
A weekend at the spa in Piestany, Slovakia
“Your medical consultation is at five.” I dreaded this part, but it was a prerequisite to the treatments at the Thermia Palace spa.. “Thanks, that’s perfect.”. Besides, a quick blood pressure check seemed a good idea after 18 months of eastern European fried… Read More ›
-
Taking the water cure…
Water treatments are scattered in my literary memory. My Austrian babysitter read to me from Heidi. In the opening pages, Heidi’s Aunt Dete takes a job in the baths leaving Heidi to live with grandfather in the Swiss alps. Heidi’s invalid friend, Clara, visits… Read More ›
The World In Between 