Jake´s diary 2

October Travel Entry – Exploration of the Vysegrad

            The month of October was full of travel, trips, and events for me. It was a busy month that included trips within Slovakia and to two different countries: the Czech Republic and Poland, basketball games, and theatre performances! Budapest is to come to complete my travel of the Vysegrad!

Prague, Czech Republic:

            I arrived in Prague late on Friday October 2 after a long day/night of travel. I met and traveled with the other Americans who are teaching in Slovakia for the year through the U.S. Fulbright Program. Prague was a beautiful city filled with rich history and very friendly people. I visited the St. Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, and the main square. We had dinner at U Flecû and spent a fun night exploring the rest of the city. I returned home on Sunday morning after a well spent weekend in Prague!

Zilina, Slovakia:

            I went to Zilina to see a theatre performance done by an English speaking theatre company traveling across Slovakia preforming the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Having studied Dr. King in high school and college, I was very eager to see the play and hear the English language. The play was very good and the students seemed to like it as well! Zilina was another amazing city and their main church and square were very picturesque.

Prievidza, Slovakia:

            I went to a basketball game to see Prievidza play another team in Slovakia. The atmosphere was great and being a big fan of the New York Knicks basketball team in New York City I was very eager to see my first Slovak basketball game. Prievidza won the game and they will be my new favorite team in Slovakia for the year that I am here. A special thanks to Paul Orsula for taking me to the game!

Krakow, Poland:

            The month ended with a final trip to Krakow, Poland. I went with six other Americans who are with the U.S. Fulbright program from October 28 to November 1. We stayed in the Old Jewish Quarter in town, which gave us unhindered access to the city’s best attractions. Thursday we spent time touring the Old Town Square and the Wawel Castle in Krakow. Friday we spent the day touring Oskar Schindler’s factory in Plasznow and we traveled to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz-Birkenau. Saturday we awoke early to go on a food tour of the city and then we visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine. All of the sights from the mines to the city center were absolutely terrific! The city was so beautiful and similar to Prague rich with history. The food was superb and being able to celebrate Halloween on Oct. 31 was very enjoyable as well. I am hopefully going to return to visit more of the sites in Krakow!