Whirlwind last few days

Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia - June 27

The school year was winding down, but we still were able to visit some classes and teachers.

Another delicious school lunch in the canteen (cafeteria)

Violinist and violist playing for tips in the square

They were really good!  

We enjoyed a free hour in the afternoon with Janice and Dennis (American lectors), sitting together in their flat where we used to live.  We especially enjoyed the shared reflections on their/our experiences teaching at EGJT, as well as the delicious Slovak cheese they shared with us!  

Ondrašová, Slovakia - June 27

A garden party barbeque, this time in Ondrašová with my dear friend and former office mate, Ad'ka, and her family.

Filipko and Ninka playing in the yard  -- such little monkeys climbing the tree and swinging on the trapeze!!    :-)  

Ad'ka, Robert and their kids live in a house at the opposite end of a long lot from other relatives, so it was one big family party with all the kids playing, adults and children music-making, and lots of good conversation.

Thanks for making us feel like part of the family!!  :-)  

Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia - June 27

We stole another hour with this wonderful couple before catching the last bus back to Bobrovec!  Such great memories!  

Bobrovec, Slovakia - June 28

Saška kept bouquets of fresh flowers on the altanok table just outside our apartment.  And the antique skis and decorations on the wall are so artistic!  

Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia - June 28

We had actually just finished one last lunch at Soda Club with the English department and this year's American lectors, (where I took no photos --- what was I thinking??), and on the way out we saw Táňa randomly!  So much fun to run into dear friends in town, just like old times! 

One cannot ever have too much zmrzlina, am I right??  We just had to take Zuzana out for one more ice cream on our last day in Liptovský Mikuláš.  :-)
If you know me, you understand!!    

When we taught at EGJT, I helped Pat'ka with the Drama Club, so we were thrilled to be able to see their final performance of the year in the Dom kultúry theatre.

It was a multimedia presentation with slides and video on the big screen behind, music, dialogue, and of course characters acting.  Such a powerful message in this excellent student performance!!  And the credits at the end said, "Thank you for coming, and have a magical day!"
If you know Tim, you understand!!  

Okoličné, Slovakia - June 28

Our last night in Slovakia was spent with our other precious Slovak daughter, Janka Elizabeth at her "Paradise" (in Okoličné, with a view of Poludnica, a mountain across the Vah River in the Low Tatras).

This selfie is all smiles in Janka's garden before we went to dinner together.  

Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia - June 29

Saška drove us from Bobrovec to the train station in Liptovský Mikuláš, and we were surprised to be greeted by Ivan and Eva, our Slovak little sister Zuzana Marie, and Slovak daughter Katarína Joy!

And then Táňa joined us too for some heartfelt farewells!  We love these people so much and will miss them a lot!

All too soon, the train arrived, everyone rushed to hand our luggage up onto the train during its 2-minute stop at the station, the doors closed, and we were waving good-bye, with tears running down my face through the smiles.  

Until next time, dear friends, until next time .....  
Dovidenia!   :-)

Traveling westward in Slovakia - June 29

With my guy on the train, heading to Bratislava

Thinking of our friend Matt Hafar as we passed by the Vrútky train station, where we used to transfer to another train to visit him in Martin.

So many mixed emotions on the train -- sad to be leaving all the friends in our second homeland, Slovakia -- but of course happy to be returning to family at home in the U.S.A.  

We never lost that sense of wonder at seeing a castle atop a hill from the train window!  Ah, Slovakia!!  

A nice pot of tea is always comforting when reminiscing on a wonderful three and a half weeks spent "back home".