Slovakia or Not Slovakia, That is the Question

We were scheduled to visit Trenczyn, Slovakia today but life is what happens while you are making other plans, right? Ania had a very difficult night and Aneta and Witek were exhausted. No one got around very early and soon it was explained that it was too late to go to Slovakia so we would go to Zar Mountain and ride the Gondola to the top since the weather had cleared off again and we had another really nice day for viewing.

So off we went. It is a beautiful area and we were able to see many gliders in the sky, hot air balloons, parasailers and small planes towing the gliders up into the sky. The gondola was really nice and entirely enclosed, although standing up was the only option for riding as there were no seats inside the cars. We rode to the top and shed our coats and hats to enjoy the warm weather while we took photos in every direction and of each other.

Fot: Ela, Ania, Witek, Linda at the Zar Mountain, Aneta

After a half hour or so we decided to walk down the mountain instead of riding back down in the Gondola. Big mistake - at least for me. Walking down a ski slope is a hairy experience and this one was especially long and steep. We started out with poor Aneta holding onto my arm to keep me from falling down on the steep gravely terrain. After a few hundred feet I said, "I don't think this is a good idea." She concurred and we turned around and hiked back to the top and caught the Gondola down. My legs felt like a pair of rubber bands and every downward step I took hurt either my left knee or my right hip. Climbing back up raised my heart rate to aerobic levels but it was immensely more easy than going down.

Fot: Aneta and Witek at Zar Mountain, Linda

Of course Aneta and I reached the bottom long before Witek, Ela and Ania so we had time to sit and take in the scenery while we waited. Mountain bikers were hurtling off that mountain one after another and hikers were making their way up and down in a steady stream. Do I feel like a panty waist for not hiking down? No way. I get dizzy just thinking about it! It was a recipe for disaster for me.

Ela knew of a fine restaurant in Cieszyn where she wanted us to go for dinner. It was truly wonderful. We were placed upstairs in a room especially for diners with children complete with a children's play area to keep the little ones occupied. The menu was broad and complete with an International section as well as traditional Polish cuisine. I ordered chicken teriyaki with rice and steamed vegetables and it was just outstanding. Dessert was equally delicious and Witek and I shared a poached pear in rum and vanilla sauce with ice cream and whipped cream. Aneta had apple pie with ice cream and Ela had Flambe with plums in rum and sugar. To say we were sated would be an understatement.

On the way back to Ela's we stopped and bought two decks of playing cards to make a Pinoucle deck. After the baby was down for the night I taught the three of them how to paly the game and we played two rousing games. Witek caught on very quickly. The challenge for me was they all speak Polish and I only speak English so whatever conversation they may have been having went right over my head! Anyway we had fun, some wine, some hazelnut vodka and good conversation. It was a fun evening.

Linda