Bratislava Photo Diary

Arriving in Bratislava is certainly not a glamorous experience but definitely a challenging adventure, at least for a clumsy solo traveler like me. Overshadowed by Prague, Vienna and Budapest, Slovakia's capital is a small city where Danube teams up with that pretty castle where once Putin met Bush; endless rooftops contrast with Socialist era derelict (or at least derelict-looking) buildings, baroque churches, pedestrian friendly alleys and charming medieval heritage. It is an unpretensious place for unpretensious people - if you loved Prague maybe Bratislava won't impress you that much but it's certainly worth a short visit (2 days should be enough, trust me when I say it is a small town) for the sake of its own charm, quirkiness and details. And that UFO-looking bridge is really something! With nights so cold and crisp you feel like either staying at home, getting drunk until you feel warm or eat some good old comfort food. Food in Bratislava is kinda like the Czech: heavy, meaty, gravy-drenched, a bit dull if you have it on a daily basis really. However, there was this creamy garlic and cheese soup in a bread bowl which was hands down one of the most delicious and comforting meals I have ever had in my life! I didn't even photograph it, meaning it appealed too much to my tastebuds rather than my visual stimulation. I've also enjoyed strolling the silent streets in the Old Town, passing by decadent gambling dens, dingy stripclubs and dodgy yet touristy Eastern European taverns. Generally speaking, Slovaks were a bit cold and aloof whenever I approached them or tried to. I found it hard to ask for directions because even in the airport no one happened to speak English - but I expect that from any ex-Commie country these days, considering my previous experiences. All in all Bratislava was a positive experience. I had to share my hostel dorm with a few Austrian guys who got hammered but hey, at least they were polite and went to vomit outside.