First Day of School

25 Aug - Jamie had her first day of Public School. She attends Vogelweh Elementary School here in Kaiserslautern. She rode the bus for the first time today. The bus stop is across the street from our house. The bus was late to school so Jamie was not able to line up in the Purple Section for 5th Grade so she was bummed about that but they got her to class. She is sitting in the front row (that's my girl). Her teacher is Mrs Thomsen. Jamie's subjects are Math, Health, Science, Social Studies (Mrs Cooley), Reading/Language, German Language & Culture (Frau Williams), Spanish, PE, Art, Library and Computers. She made a friend on the bus and one in class. When asked how her day at school was, Jamie simply said "Perfect". She was a little worried after hearing some things from others about public school but I think she will realize that regardless of what you do, things are what you make of it.

As you can see from the picture, the school buses are a little different here than in the US. See if you can spot the differences.

Jamie getting on the bus for the first time at 0724 this morning.

Even in Slovakia - Start with Dessert!!

Slovaks are not big on dessert but when they do - WATCH OUT!!! These are the desserts we enjoyed and I mean ENJOYED on our visit!! Pastries at Babka Anna's Babka Mary's Cake - AMAZING! Babka Mary's Bread Roll with Poppy Seed Iveta's BEST IN THE WORLD HOMEMADE DONUTS!! Forget Dunkin Donuts or Krispie Kreme Babka Mary's Bread Roll with Homemade Plum Jam

Slovak Food

WOW: What amazing food we had in Slovakia. Iveta, Martin and Both Babkas just cooked the most incredible HOME food. Jamie was very helpful in making some of the meals. Food is the one thing all cultures share.... let's get started!! Babka Ann's Bread with baked in Jam Babka Ann's Homemade Noodle Soup Babka Ann's Stuffed Cabbage with Pork & rice Babka Ann's Potato Cakes with butter Martin's Chicken Wings, Potatos and Onions Resturant Regional Schnitzel and Rice Martin's Goulash Iveta's Slovak pancakes Iveta's Chicken and Rice Four Season's Pizza - Egg, Olive, Cheese and Pepperoni Babka's Fresh Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Eggs, Mushrooms and Onions Iveta's Mushroom Creme Soup Babka's Puroghy (Kim and Jamie helped stuff them) Noodles stuffed with mashed potatos Pork on Potato Cakes with Red Cabbage Iveta's Ham and Brocolli Pasta Martin & Matthew's Appetizers Martin and Matthew's Pork, Potatos and Red Cabbage Babka's Homemade Chicken Noddle Soup Babka's Roasted Chicken and Potatos Halushky - (Potato Noodles) Traditional Slovak Dish

Departing is such sweet sorrow

16 Aug - Went shopping with Tina to get a few snacks and things to take home. Had a great lunch of chicken wings and potatos with onions. Then we exchanged gifts. Martin and Iveta gave us some Slovak Wine for us and for the Stoffel Family, beer, some candy and really cool pencil holder for Jamie, Kim received a wall relief picture that is typical Slovak, a really nice olive tray and some cross stitches. Martin gave James a Slovak Army Penant, briefcase, beer and beer glasses and some special spices for gulash soup. The gifts were very special and had a lot of meaning. It was very emotional for all because of the graciousness of the Malinak family. We departed for Vienna at 1430. It was really hard to say good by to everyone but we believe we will see them again before we depart Europe. Tina now has to study for her exams next week and Matus will return to his hockey.

Family Picture at Tina's Home

Some Final Thoughts on our trip. It was perfect! That is the closest word I can find to describe it. Martin and Iveta made us feel very welcome in their home. They did not just invite us into their home, they welcomed us into their heart. They showed us "Their Slovakia". Where they grew up and what they were most proud of. They made alot of sacrifices for us - rearranging their sleeping arrangements, not cooking with bell peppers and even buying and taking diet Pepsi and diet Coke everywhere because Tina told them that is what we drink. They were wonderful in their concern to ensure we had a wonderful trip. You could hear in their voice how proud they were of the places they took us and how they talked about Tina and Matthew. Kim and I talked about the trip the whole 16 hours in the car on the way home. Despite two fill-ups of $12.50 gas in Slovakia (yes, at 20 galper tank that is $500) and 32 total hrs driving in the car, we would not have missed this week for the world. We did alot of touring and all 3 of us agree that the most special thing about the trip was everyone sitting around the table, eating, talking and laughing. Both Grandparents and Tina's parents grew up in Czechoslovakia and lived under communism. All the men were in the Czechoslovak Army in the cold war on the border with Austria watching the "Evil Capitalist". They did not have any opportunities to travel. Now, under the European Union, kids today have those opportunities. Both sets of Grandparents are very proud of Tina and happy that she was able to do so much in the year living with us in Washington, DC. We are the first Americans they ever met. We had quite the responsibility to represent our country to Tina's family. Jamie was Jamie and had a great time. In her short life, she has met many different people but that is what she knows - she does not see differences - only another Grandma cooking excellent food or kid to play with. She is getting quite the education in life as well in how to be an ambassador for her country. Kim and I were very proud of her this week. Slovakia is still developing and recovering from life under Communism. Eastern Slovakia is still very rural and agricultural. Some businesses are moving into Slovakia because of the cost of labor and the quality of the work. We were awestruck by the beauty of the landscape. Rolling hills with open valleys with views for miles and the age of the cities. Legend has it that the Slovak Language is the most beautiful in the world and when the Slovak Women sing, the birds fall silent and the earth shutters just a little. Western modern life is creaping in and clashing with traditional ways. It will take time to build up the tax base to improve the city infrastructure. The medium income is about $1000 a month. The cost of living is low. People have what they need. The education system is good but job opportunities are not in Slovakia. We discussed a huge brain drain of young talent from Slovakia going where the jobs are. Slovakia also has a huge concern with the amount of Roma (Gypsies) living in Slovakia that will have to be dealt with. Jamie saw many Roma, their houses and villages. They have a beautiful culture and heritage but their daily life it is not as portrayed in Disney movies. Finally, we are grateful to the Malinak family and all they did for us during our visit. There is no way we can have the same experience when they visit us in Germany but we will have fun as a family none the less and make more great memories. We are very proud of our Favorite Slovak Daughter and eager to see what she does in life. It is ironic that Martin and I both joined our armies in the 1980s as enemies and today we share a daughter with unlimited potential and opportunities.

Visiting Iveta's Parents

15 Aug - Kim wakes up with a very bad headache. We adjust our plans and arrive at Iveta's parents at 1400. We are greated by Iveta's Mom, Dad and Grandmother (Babka Babka). So began the flow of food and vodka. Babka cooks with a wood fired stoved and oven. The food was more than outstanding. We ate Homemade Noodle soup in Chicken Broth, then the most wonderful stuffed cabbage I have ever had. Jamie slapped me before I even had a chance to taste it. Jamie actually at three of them!! Jamie helped make the potato cakes and corn on the cob fresh from the garden. Babka served a sweet roll with the Jam baked in the roll. Oh Snap!! Then we had the Slovak Appetizer that I had a the change of command. These were MUCH better. Along with all this we had puff pastries and cakes. And of course in between courses, the men did shots of Vodka and drank beer. Kim drove home........................ During one break, James went out with Michael and Martin and Ditko to throw the football Tina brought home. We had a good time. Babka Babka came out so we taught her to throw - Peyton Manning - watch out!! Babka babka is pretty good!! We ended the evening trading gifts. Kim received a beautiful table runner that matches the vase we bought perfectly. Jamie got candy and I received Plum Brandy!! We gave both families a trivet with the American Flag on it as a reminder of their Granddaughters visit to America so it could also be a conversation starter for them. It was a great time. They opened their home to us and we could feel the excitement in their voices, the food and the laughter. Unfortunately babka did not agree to marry me :(( Jamie had a great time and left a very good impression on the family and them on her. She understands her role as an ambassador of America and the responsibility that goes with that. First try of German Wine - Stoffel Wine Jamie Enjoyed the Stuffed Cabbage Babka Babka's first try at Football Jamie helping make Potato Cakes and BUTTER!! Kim received a beautiful Table Runner from Babka! Babka, Ditko, James, tina, Kim, Jamie Babka Babka, Matthew and Iveta

Gulash, Hockey Game and Presov

14 Aug - We began the day with another great Slovak breakfast. Spent the morning cooking. Martin taught James how to make Gulash and Iveta taught Jamie to make Handmade Donuts. We also fried some Plantains we brought Tina. Not quite ripe yet but it was fun. The donuts were the best ever!!!!!!! After lunch, we went to Matthew's Hockey Game. His team lost 4-2 but Matthew played well. It was different than watching the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center but we enjoyed it alot more. Hockey is the national sport of Slovakia and is treated like Baseball in the states. The trip would not have been complete without seeing Matus (Matthew) play hockey. After the game, we toured old town Presov. We had some excellent ice creme and toured a wine museum. They had over 32000 bottles of wine but none from the Mosel. We did a little wine tasting afterwards. For Dinner, we went for Pizza - Yes Pizza. We wanted to compare the pizza. It was excellent. The crust was very good. It was the first pizza I remember that had green olives on it. Everyone enjoyed their meal and of course the Saris Beer for me and Martin!

In the evening, we made margaritas and just talked.

Men, Meat and knives as God Intended! Moja Iveta and Kartoffel making Donuts The donuts were the best EVER!!! Matus after his game.

Downtown Presov.

Ice Creme in Presov.

Family in Presov

Sarish Pivo (beer)

Wine tasting at the Wine Museum - Presov

Margarettaville!!

Touring Levoca and Spissky Hrad

13 Aug - Today we toured Levoca, one of the oldest town in Slovakia. The Church of St Jacobs 500 years old and untouched by the wars. It is a museum now. The main alter took 9 years to carve. We had a great local lunch and then headed to Spissky Hrad (Castle). The castle was first started in 1200's. It had a really nice museum. The tour was self guided. The Castle was partly ruins and it being reconstructed in many areas. It is the largest castle in Central Europe. We returned to the house where Iveta prepared WONDERFUL Slovak Pancakes with Nutella or Babka's Cherry Jam. St Jacobs Church in Levoca View of Lower Part of Spissky Castle Kennedy's and View of Upper Castle

Happy Anniversary

12 Aug - Kim and I Celebrated our 19th Anniversary. We all travelled to the Slovak-Polish border for a rafting trip. Iveta and Martin treated us to a wooden boat ride down the Dunajec River in Pieniny Slovakia. It was a beautiful day. We ate lunch, did the 1.5 hr river trip and headed home. It was a great drive over where we saw the High Tetras - the highest mountain in Slovakia. At the end of the ride, Martin and Iveta treated us again to a horse and buggy ride to the bus pick-up point. They gave us a gift to open on the ride. It was two cups with 12 Aug 2008 Slovakia 19th Anniversary engraved on the cup and saucer. It was a special day that we won't forget. We returned and had a wonderful Broccoli & Ham Casserole for dinner.

Tina and Jamie with Poland in the Background

Wooden boats - actually 5 thin boats lashed together -

Yes, the side says MAX 12 occupants but yuo can count

for yourself how many fit.

Scenery - Beautiful hills and river.

Horse and Buggy Ride