19 Day Trip: Bratislava

 After Krakow, I got on the night train to Bratislava. The night train was interesting the train employee took my ticket before I went to sleep. That same employee came and woke me up before the Bratislava stop. I then went and check into my Hostel, Wild Elephants Hostel, and after that, I went to Vienna. The blog post about Vienna can be found here https://belgiuminternship.blogspot.com/2019/02/vienna.html. Keep reading for the day after that first day, which I spent in Vienna.

 When I got back from Vienna, the first thing I did was go to the Christmas Market that was in the main square right out front of the Hostel. At this Christmas Market, there was more Gluhwein and even hot beer. There were also live shows every once in a while. The shows were on a stage in the corner of the two markets (the market made an L shape). Many foods were also being sold, my favourite was dough fried in a pancake shape. It is called Lángos, and you can get it in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. At the end of the blog, I have linked to another blog where the Bratislava Christmas Market is talked about more.

 On my first and only full day in Bratislava, I went the 'free tour' and later a KHL game. On the tour, we passed the 'man at work monument'. It is a guy jutting out of a sewer entrance, and it is apparently good luck if you kiss its head. It is a neat statue, and I find it cool that it is a bit out of place in the city.

  The guide also showed us the parliament buildings and talked about some of the controversy surrounding the parliament at the time. An investigative journalist, Ján Kuciak, was killed. This eventually culminated in the resignation of the Prime Minister and the entire Cabinet. When I was there, the same party still held control.

 He, the guide, also showed us where a synagogue used to be. The synagogue was next to the Catholic Church, and the guide said they got along well enough. It was eventually torn down because Slovakia joined the NAZIs during WWII. Most of the Jewish population died during WWII.

 Right next to this location was where some of the old city walls were left. There was only a small piece left. The guide also explained a weird Slovak Easter tradition.

 During Easter, the men go around the city with a twig and whip the women that they like. It is a tradition that occurs in a few countries, and it is said that it helps women keep their health beauty and fertility.

 One of the best stops was the Castle that is in Bratislava. At the top of the Castle, it is possible to see three countries Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia. Below are some photos.

Here is a good blog about the Christmas Market
https://www.thetalkingsuitcase.com/why-you-must-visit-slovakias-bratislava-christmas-market/