Dinner at Frenchie's

Missed my girls! Frenchie invited us over to her place for dinner and xmas gift exchange. Very good to see everyone again!

For more pictures see "Christmas and New Years" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

Home Sweet Home

Although the plane ride was 9 hours, we gained 7 hours coming back to Calgary - so we made it in plenty of time for presents and Christmas dinner. Everyone was thrilled that we had brought home some slivovica for toasts!

For more pictures see "Christmas and New Years" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

London to Calgary

Only a 9 hour flight. On Christmas day. Lots of fun.

For more pictures see "Christmas and New Years" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

Heathrow on Christmas

Christmas morning in the Air Canada Lounge. We were nervous about missing our flight given the chaos of London airports, so we arrived early and hung out at the lounge, enjoyed our free food and drinks and relaxed.

For more pictures see "Christmas and New Years" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

No Tube on Xmas

London shuts down on Christmas day - there is no public transport - no tube, no buses, no trains. Because our flight back home left on Christmas day, we had to book a cab to Heathrow - at double rate. Glen was happy about that.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Shane & Bianca's flat (Shane went home to Canada, and Bianca to Germany for xmas) We were both feeling pretty sick so we just bought dinner from Marks & Spencer (my fave!) which actually turned out surprisingly well.

Back in London

I met Glen in London for a few days before our flight back home. We did some shopping at Picadilly Circus, Oxford Street & Covent Garden, went to a play (The History Boys)and saw a movie (which ended up costing $56 CDN! no snacks!)

For more pictures see "Christmas and New Years" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

Farewell dinner at Rodrigo's

Rack of lamb, proscuitto & peach salad, Chilean wine - Rodrigo went all out. This was truly our last night in Blava - Chris to Macedonia, Ilona to her parents, Rodrigo to New York, Silvia to Barcelona, then Columbia, and me to London - all the next morning. John, the only one staying at home in Slovakia, bought us gifts and Rodrigo's neighbor dropped off traditional Slovak christmas cookies and treats.

For more pictures see "Farewell Bratislava" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

The Last of Blava Night Life

Tequila shooters, retro dance music, good friends.... I will miss Bratislava!!

For more pictures see "One Last Party" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

Dinner at Chris's

Although our numbers were dwindling, we decided to get together at Chris's for dinner and drinks. John, Ilona, Silvia, Francesco, Chris, Rodrigo and myself were the only ones in our crew left in Blava. Using Francesco's special rum punch recipe, Silvia and I made the punch and Francesco whipped up some pasta for us.

For more pictures see "One Last Party" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

Punch & Pasta

Punch - not soup. The Italian made an incredible pasta from leftovers in Chris's fridge.

For more pictures see "One Last Party" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

Farewell UNDP Office!

Last day in the office: we convened in Silvia's room at the end of the day. Jost brought some champagne and we tried not to be sad. Silvia was off to Columbia and I to Canada!

For more pictures see "Farewell Bratislava" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

SUBCLUB

After dinner at Rodrigo's we went to SUBCLUB, a former nuclear fall-out shelter on the river side of the castle hill just behind the New Bridge. When the cab dropped us off I wasn't sure what i was getting myself in for - the entrance is kinda dodgy looking and small - built into the hill. Then you go through these long series of tunnels to reach the club, which is actually pretty cool. Nadja's friend was the dj - playing house music, the coat check people were smoking dope and we were in a nuclear fall-out bunker. Weird night.

For more pictures see "Another Night Out" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

Dinner @ Rodrigo's

Asya & Michel's friend, Rodrigo (from Chile) had everyone over for dinner and drinks. Lots of fun and met some new people.

For more pictures see "Another night out" at:

Shan's Sony Image Station Photo Albums

C'est La Vie

I was sad to say goodbye to Bratislava but quickly forgot about the Slovak capital when I arrived in Paris. Shane and I spent 4 great days eating drinking, sightseeing and were lucky enough to stay at one of Shane's and Bianca's friends flat in the heart of Paris. I know, your suppose to spend time in Paris with you significant other but Shannon was stuck in Bratislava serving her last few days on a project for the UN, c'est la vie. Of all the cities in Europe I have visited, Paris ranks as the best, so far. Au revoir, mes amis.

Farewell, Stone!

In case you haven't noticed this already, Glen's European nickname is "Stone". You'll need to ask him about that one...

Old Stone said his goodbyes to everyone last night, as he leaves Bratislava to go to London to visit Shane. They plan on a romantic getaway to Paris, a visit to Aunt Topsy in Letchworth, and a visit with Jay in some pub somewhere in England ...

Glen will miss all the friends he made, but will probably not miss Tesco and life as a househusband in a non-english speaking country!

For more pictures of Glen's farewell, see: http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/index.html

Dinner at Mytny Domcek

Jost invited us out for a fantastic dinner at a place called Mytny Domcek. The restaurant is in the old Toll House at the end of Stary Most (Old Bridge) One of the best meals we've had in Bratislava!

For more pictures see "December in Blava"

at:http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/index.html

Amrei's Geburtstag

Amrei's russian roommate, Marina, threw her a surprise birthday party and cooked us all a fantastic meal.

For more pictures, see "Amrei's Geburtstag" at: http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/index.html

Friends

We've made some good friends during our stay in Bratislava. Mamura, Silvia and Francesco all have standing invitations to come visit us in Canada. Glen has even promised Silvia that she can be next years Rodeo (pronounced Ro-DAY-o) Queen.

For more pictures see "December in Blava" and Amrei's Geburtstag" at: http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/index.html

Buddha Bar

After hanging out at the Christmas Market after work, we decided to move indoors to Buddha Bar. Cool music and atmosphere - however b/c cigarettes are dirt cheap, EVERYONE in Slovakia smokes. At bars, restaurants, work, shops, church? So it doesn't matter where you go out, you always come home smelling like an ashtray. Pictures above are Katti (Czech-Swedish) Glen (CDN!) Mamura (Uzbekistan). Then the lovely couple - Asya (our Bulgarian princess/best Salsa dancer in Blava) and her boyfriend Michel (Mexico). Nadja is the smoking Swede.

For more pictures see "December in Blava" at: http://www.imagestation.com/mypictures/index.html