So, it has so far been an entire month for me here in Slovakia. I think it went by very quickly. And a lot has happened since I last wrote, so I will try to sum it up. I went and hiked up Martinske Hole Ferrata with Terka, and then we went to a lake somewhere outside of Martin. (I don't remember its name). It was a very fun day and I am so happy I got to see so many beautiful sights. A couple days later I went to Dunajska Streda and had a canoeing trip with some exchange students from around the area. It was so much fun to meet them and talk to them, most for the first time. We canoed down a river from one village to another, totalling in 26km, around 18 miles. It was an exhausting 4 hour trip, and I was with a family that did not speak well in English. For me, most of the time it was silent, and I just wanted someone to talk to. Afterwards, I had an hour or two more to talk to the other inbounds. It was really fun. The day after, Terka, Petka, and I went to a village fair in Kláštor pod Znievom. It was cool to see what kind of crafts people here like to make. Fast forward to a week later, and I went to my first Slovak wedding. It was really beautiful, and the wedding was a mix between modern and traditional. I really enjoyed myself and I thought it was really great to see how another country approaches something like marriage. About another week later I had a really fun trip with most of my family. We went to a small area near Banska Bystrica to a cave called Harmeneca. Before we hiked the 45 minute climb to the cave itself, we ate at a restaurant that was utterly amazing. I tried duck, venison, pork, beef, and chicken. After literally stuffing my face, we hiked up the side of a mountain to the cave entrance. I had never been in a cave before this, so it was awesome. The formations of the rock and the stalactites and stalagmites, these are things that in the US you don't see very often. I am very happy that I was able to experience this. The following day began my trip to the High Tatra mountains with my school. I believe that this will be one of the weeks of my life that I will never forget, and I am so happy that I was able to go. To see these mountains in person, to hike in them, it was something that I am so thankful for. I have so many beautiful pictures, and I got to know so many of my classmates so much better. I hiked to Teryho Chata, which is the second highest cottage in Slovakia, 2015m in the air. The hike to the cottage was slow, and as we reached the incline of the mountain it began to snow and rain. It was soooo cold. But the view from the top was so beautiful, I regret nothing. We also hiked to Popradske Pleso, a beautiful lake with the view of the mountains surrounding it. Things like this are so gorgeous, and everytime I see something new I am more amazed by how beautiful Slovakia really is. Immediately after the trip to the High Tatras, and I'm talking immediately (I was home for 3 hours) I went to the rotary inbound orientation meeting. It was really really fun to meet so many of my friends I had been talking to for so many months. We got to see Trenčín castle, and that was really pretty also. I think Trenčín is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen so far. It was so fun to spend time with my friends, and to get to know some of them even more. I am very thankful for this first month here!! <3
1 Comment
Cathy cleveland
1/10/2017 15:54:46
I enjoyed reading about ur first month, Tessa!! I love you, my beautiful friend!!!
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About Me:I am a 17 year old girl who has always dreamed about traveling and seeing the world. I love culture and language, and the ability to gain knowledge in both of those fields whilst improving myself was something I could not pass up. I am so proud to be a Rotary Exchange Student. Archives
October 2017
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