Friday, August 7, 2009

If you’re going to take our money… by Maurice

What a day. I looked forward to the “day trip” for some time. I kept telling the kids “It’s like going to Baltimore to watch lacrosse.” Bratislava is only 75 minutes away by boat. We took a 2 hulled catamaran called the Twin Cities Hydrofoil. We cruised down the Danube at 50 kilometers/hr and into port at Bratislava. There is a unique draw to the “former Communist countries” for people and we are no different. I find the history fascinating and the drive towards democracy through capitalism refreshing. The economy is somewhat immature with respect to industry and that is apparent in the aged and somewhat decrepit buildings. It is clear that tourism plays a significant role in this small “former Czech” town. We learned it was a peaceful separation from communism and that the ties to the Austro-Hungarian dynasties were quite important. Bratislava was the center of the coronation of many kings. As usual there were lots of Churches and the required castle on the hill. We did manage to find the Irish Pub in town and have lunch, some things never change. The kids had a great day and laughed for hours about almost everything but I leave those stories for them to tell including our tour guide that had a habit of saying “Hey English I’ll have more time to talk with you in town!”

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