We left Slovakia on Sunday morning and blessed our GPS device all the way to Vienna, an hour and a half drive. If you want to know about stress free driving especially in a foreign country, try the GPS. We call our voice navigator Richard. He took us out of the driveway in Smolenice, turn by turn,into the rental car parking lot in the Vienna airport. Greatest invention since the computer.
On Saturday, the village held its annual fair complete with food, music, folk art, crafts and camaraderie. Most of the village turns out as well as people from surrounding villages and the capital, Bratislava(about 45 minutes drive).In the evening there was an out side concert on the grounds of the Palffy castle open to all and free of charge. I have video that I will include later on.
I have gotten into Christopher Moore novels that are hysterical. Having read Lamb, I was reading Fool on the plane. I had to stop reading because I was actually laughing out loud uncontrollably. Get these two to start with and just relax into his preposterous set ups.
I will take some time to reflect on the trip and share some insights in future posts. Meantime, think about a visit to this part of the world. Unspoiled, unused and friendly. The house in the village can be a jump off to all of central and eastern Europe.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Ah, the Joys of Village Life
Laura and I have spent the last week visiting relatives, hiking the small Carpathian mountains, touring the cities of Bratislava(capital of Slovakia),Modra, Trnerva and the spa village of Piestany. We visited as well the castles at Cerveny Kamen(Red Stone) and the Palffy Castle in Smolenice. The Palffy and the Lichtenstein families(yeh, you got it, the Lichtensteins of the country) owned most of Slovakia,and the Czech Republic. They were close to the ruling Maria Theresa who descended from King Stephen( circa 1000) of the Hungarian Empire. While they were not in line for the throne,they were made enormously wealthy by the ruling dynasty in Vienna because of their skills as defenders of the empire.Good to be king, No?
By now those of you on Face Book have seen the photos that Mae Henry( our niece) posted so I will include only a few here later on.
Since we are in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains,the weather is cool(not I hear Like NYC), has been dry and very pleasant to move around in.
The charm of this holiday is the time spent with family both American and Slovak. Technology, mainly the internet, has totally closed the gap between our cultures and people. The living lesson here is that we can all be aware of what each and all of us are doing at any given time through the internet. Therefore, our words and actions matter more than perhaps any time in the past. This starts, as I have seen through the eyes and thoughts of the people of the small village of Smolenice, commenting on what the German, English and American governments did over the weekend.
So, dear friends, Let's Make Sense, stay aware that We are All One, in my opinion.
Like to hear your thoughts.
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Headed for Slovakia
Laura and I travel to Smolenice, Slovakia today to join our American and Slovak families in celebration of Laura's parents 50th wedding anniversary.
There are 15 or so American and 30 or so Slovak relatives who will gather for weekend long events. The American clan will stay at the house that Laura's parents own and may be seen at www.penzion-agnes.sk/en/ The house has been in the family for some 300 years and was totally renovated (imperceptibly from the outside) in 2008. Six bedrooms, 4 baths and lots of room to roam around both in and out side.
Thirty minutes from Bratislava, two hours drive from Vienna, this central location will serve as a place to relax, connect to family and see some of Eastern Europe.
My favorite thing to do is to stay for a few days at a near-by spa in Piestany. An old world facility situated on a small island in the middle of a river that flows by on either side. The river and Island supply the spa with thermal waters, heated healing mud and various minerals used to restore health. Massage, baths, you know the drill. Best of all it is very civilized and Eastern European which means the bar is always open, the afternoon teas feature Viennese pastries so you get to set the body back to normal after purifying it all day long. Makes no sense, right? Try it, it makes absolute sense. As Mark Twain said, "how do you know you have had enough if you have never had too much".
While the Slovak culinary experience is some what forgettable, that all changes when Laura and I arrive and hit the local butcher, veggie and bread markets all within walking distance of the house. Ah, the village life! More from Slovakia including some recipes.
There are 15 or so American and 30 or so Slovak relatives who will gather for weekend long events. The American clan will stay at the house that Laura's parents own and may be seen at www.penzion-agnes.sk/en/ The house has been in the family for some 300 years and was totally renovated (imperceptibly from the outside) in 2008. Six bedrooms, 4 baths and lots of room to roam around both in and out side.
Thirty minutes from Bratislava, two hours drive from Vienna, this central location will serve as a place to relax, connect to family and see some of Eastern Europe.
My favorite thing to do is to stay for a few days at a near-by spa in Piestany. An old world facility situated on a small island in the middle of a river that flows by on either side. The river and Island supply the spa with thermal waters, heated healing mud and various minerals used to restore health. Massage, baths, you know the drill. Best of all it is very civilized and Eastern European which means the bar is always open, the afternoon teas feature Viennese pastries so you get to set the body back to normal after purifying it all day long. Makes no sense, right? Try it, it makes absolute sense. As Mark Twain said, "how do you know you have had enough if you have never had too much".
While the Slovak culinary experience is some what forgettable, that all changes when Laura and I arrive and hit the local butcher, veggie and bread markets all within walking distance of the house. Ah, the village life! More from Slovakia including some recipes.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Questions for this Week.
How should an American discuss the current political debate going on in the country today with out alienating friends, families and colleagues?
Perhaps you have run into this dilemma. I have and it becomes heated and uncomfortable very quickly. The following paragraph sets up the debate as I understand it:
The USA is going through its usual historical transition from one presidency to another. This transition is different because we are also going from a conservative(some would say neo con) perspective to a more progressive perspective(some would even call it liberal)
The party who has just left control is trying desperately to redefine itself in time for the mid-term elections in 2011-2.
The Obama administration has staked out major areas to change or address:a declining economy which they say is exacerbated by and includes: the cost and inclusiveness of our health care system, creating jobs, and, assuring that the banking system survives and is regulated properly. Finally, they want to reduce the impact of negative climate change and the US dependence on foreign oil.
These are also know as fix the bank/wall street debacle and create new positive core values in the financial sector. Insure 47 million Americans without health care. And, oh by the way, if you loose your job, have a previous health problem and/or can not afford today's insurance cost, you can not be rejected from health insurance.
And lastly, let's prevent any further climate change destruction of our planet.
I think I have it.
The questions are: One, should you discuss these issues and how do you do so without crashing into the opposing attitude of friends, family and colleagues who may think differently than you. And how do you avoid being labeled as liberal, conservative, progressive, neo con, far right, far left, centrist?
Interesting no? There is a tried and true way to avoid conflict: simply never discuss politics, religion or social issues with any one. Well, come on, that does not work so I have developed a question when the conversation goes toward the political/social debate mentioned.
It is: Do you feel in any way responsible for your fellow man? You can of course peel that back to neighbors, fellow-Americans, Europeans, etc. If the answer is yes or no, and it reflects your philosophy, you are home free, If what you hear does not reflect your philosophy and you are not really skilled at conversation perhaps best to move on. If,however, you are up to a confrontation, go for it but remember i told you so!
Like to hear what you think
Thanks
Ted
Perhaps you have run into this dilemma. I have and it becomes heated and uncomfortable very quickly. The following paragraph sets up the debate as I understand it:
The USA is going through its usual historical transition from one presidency to another. This transition is different because we are also going from a conservative(some would say neo con) perspective to a more progressive perspective(some would even call it liberal)
The party who has just left control is trying desperately to redefine itself in time for the mid-term elections in 2011-2.
The Obama administration has staked out major areas to change or address:a declining economy which they say is exacerbated by and includes: the cost and inclusiveness of our health care system, creating jobs, and, assuring that the banking system survives and is regulated properly. Finally, they want to reduce the impact of negative climate change and the US dependence on foreign oil.
These are also know as fix the bank/wall street debacle and create new positive core values in the financial sector. Insure 47 million Americans without health care. And, oh by the way, if you loose your job, have a previous health problem and/or can not afford today's insurance cost, you can not be rejected from health insurance.
And lastly, let's prevent any further climate change destruction of our planet.
I think I have it.
The questions are: One, should you discuss these issues and how do you do so without crashing into the opposing attitude of friends, family and colleagues who may think differently than you. And how do you avoid being labeled as liberal, conservative, progressive, neo con, far right, far left, centrist?
Interesting no? There is a tried and true way to avoid conflict: simply never discuss politics, religion or social issues with any one. Well, come on, that does not work so I have developed a question when the conversation goes toward the political/social debate mentioned.
It is: Do you feel in any way responsible for your fellow man? You can of course peel that back to neighbors, fellow-Americans, Europeans, etc. If the answer is yes or no, and it reflects your philosophy, you are home free, If what you hear does not reflect your philosophy and you are not really skilled at conversation perhaps best to move on. If,however, you are up to a confrontation, go for it but remember i told you so!
Like to hear what you think
Thanks
Ted
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Federici Thoughts
Welcome to my blog. I intend that what I present here will be insightful and useful . The thoughts I will offer are informed by my experiences. Some will be fun, some spiritual, some about food, music, current events. In short what ever moves me and I have something to offer.
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