Bratislava through my looking glass

What is actually this "taking pictures thing" all about?

While traveling one normaly wants to picture the touristic attractions, traditional events, foods, etc. The intention behind it is merely to register his presence in a specific place and be able to say “I’ve been there! And I did it!”

Most people do that, and only that!

The whole thing gets much more interesting if one puts a bit of himself in his pictures and expresses his feelings through them. From that point of view, the objects of the photography are caught and transferred through a totally new perspective, and even the mainstream spots, as well as those things that no one would put an eye on, come into sight in a unique way. The results are, mostly, surprisingly beautiful.

This makes the photography so personal and intimate. It brings hidden corners, ordinary objects and situations under a special spotlight, namely the feelings of the one behind the camera.

The objects of these pictures (yeah! these ones in this post) and the perspective in which they were taken are related to me, to my perspective and to my mood in that specific moment.

They were taken in Slovakia, more exactly in Bratislava and its surroundings, and are more the “hidden corners, ordinary objects and situations” kind of pictures. Not much of touristic spots in them.

The objects pictured here have something to tell me, the way they don’t tell anyone else; and I exposed them, the way no one else would do. This makes them unique.

I’m very proud of these shots! Even of the simplest ones!

Just a little reflection about taking pictures.

Cheers peeps!

A stop in the Devín Hrad (Devín Castle)

A visit in the Devín Hrad (Devin Castle) is definitely worthy.

Easy to get there with the bus line 29 from Bratislava, or the way I did, with the bus 28 back from Sandberg and get out in the Stop "Devín".

The Devín Castle, actually more a fortress than castle, existed was built as a military station during the Roman period and later, 15./16. century,was rebuilt in a fortress.

The castle consists of many excavations, ruins and monuments. It's a huge complex.

From the castle, on the top of the hill, one can have an awesome view from the Little Carpathians and from the Danube (Dunaj) river, more exactly, from its meeting with the Morava river. Really awesome!

Its been three days since I'm back from Slovakia and I still feel so excited about the experience of  being in Bratislava, up in the Sandberg by Devín and in the Devín Hrad. Beautiful places, good food and friendly people. 

Slovakia! I'm glad I met you.

Djakuiem!

Adventuring in the outskirts of Bratislava: the Sandberg

For those, which enjoy some hiking and nature the outskirts of Bratislava are also a good option. Hiking in the Sandberg and visiting the Hrad Devín (Devin Castle) are definitely incredible experiences.

Well the adventure can start by taking the bus 28 on the way to the neighbor town, Devín. The bus station is located under the Novy Most (new bridge) at the side of the old town.

The journey along the Danube (Dunaj) will take approx. 20 min.

There are two ways to get up on the Sandberg: the hard and the easy one.

For the "hard one" get out in the bus stop "Sandberg" and ask some grandma by the road how to get there. She will pronounce something in Slovak and point to the bushes. In this situation I looked back to her with an skeptical expression, but she kept showing to the bushes. And there I went! 

Lets go to the easy way: get out at the next bus stop, " Na hriadkach", take the street to the right at the bus stop and turn right again up hill and that's it.

The Sandberg is a protected area of natural and archeological importance. It belongs to the Devínska Kobyla, part of the Little Carpathians mountain range.

A great place for hiking with an awesome view.

And also a place to make friends.Thanks to Matej for the picture. Good job!

About the Hrad Devín (Devin Castle) in the next post.

Cheers peeps!

The Danube and other wonders

Yes! Bratislava is definitely a trip worthy!

It's my second day in here and I keep getting more excited about this town.

There is always something new to discover around the next corner

The new bridge (Novy Most) is one of the best examples of its modern side.

From the river side, the Danube (Dunaj) one can have another perspective from the town. Walk and bicycle ways are available and well signed.

The Župné Námestie (Župné square) is another pretty nice corner of the Old Town with the Kapucínsky kostol Sv. Stefana (Capuchin church and monstery St. Stephen).

Another special spot in Bratislava is the Kostol Sv. Alžbety (Curch of St. Elizabeth) also known as  Modry Kostolík (Blue church). It's a Hugarian Secessionist catholic church. Take a look at the pictures and you will see why Blue church. 

It's been pretty much exciting to literally explore Bratislava and picture some of the impressions I've got.

Now sitting in the train on the way back to Germany and not really willing to do it. 

Needing some hint, be welcome!

Cheers peeps!

More from the Slavic kitchen

Another delicacy I tasted in Slovakia. Very typical in the Slavic kitchen the Bryndzové pirohy are dumplings of unleavened dough (Wiki.) filled with sheep cheese. In Slovakia it's served with sour cream and roasted onions.

Guten Apetit and cheers everyone!

A bit about Bratislava

Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and has a population of almost half a million inhabitants. The country is part of the European Community since 2009 and, like most of the countries in  the EU, its currency in the Euro.

The city is crossed by the river Danube and located at the corner Austria, Hungary, Slovakia.

Curiosity: Bratislava and Vienna are the two closest capitals in the world. Just one hour by train.

The also has its own language, the Slovakian, and is very similar to Czech, Polish and has also some influence from the Ukrainian.

Bratislava is a typical European city: young, international, open and very touristic. One won't miss anything on here, there is culture, party, shopping and nature.

Once here one must have a walk through the historical centre...

to visit the castle up in the hill (Bratislavsky Hrad)...

... and have a check of the "inverted pyramid". The local radio (Slovensky rozhlas) building with this awesome architecture.

Still a lot to discover. Keep going!

Cheers everyone. :)

Typical and tasty from the Slovak kitchen

Kapustnica, this cabbage soup with sausage and sour cream and...

Bryndzove halushky, a kind of potato dumpling with (molten) sheep cheese and roasted bacon.

Really tasty! Being in Bratislava just go for it!

Of how I fell in love with Bratislava

A half an hour walk through the historical center of Bratislava will be enough to fall in love with this neat town. It's a mixture of classical building, east block and modern Europe.

The Slovaks are very friendly and helpfull. I stopped someone to ask about some bus line and the person not only walked me all the till my destination but also introduced me to some of the towns attractions.

The population is very catholic. A lot of churches everywhere in the town and all of them are very well visited by young, as well as, older people as I could see.

The classic and modern are in constant contact with each other in here. Wether it's related to the people, traditions, architecture, media, etc.

I'm positively impressed by Bratislava and keep exploring it.

More about to come!

Cheers everyone!