5 facts about Slovakia people in the west get wrong

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

Slovakia

Slovakia is a country in central Europe, located in the geographical centre. It used to be a bridge between east and west Europe, between communism and capitalism, between home-made and fast food, between meeting friends and sending a message. Here are five facts about Slovakia that I'd like to point out.

1. We are not the capital of 'booze culture'

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

Capital of Slovakia is Bratislava, strategically located near the Hungarian and Austrian border. It is the main administrative and cultural centre. Walking the crooked streets in the old city, or doing business in the tall buildings, you can feel some zest of the western European metropoles. Prices are quite high, but still drinks are cheap compared to the European standards. I have met many foreigners that came to Bratislava only for a booze-up.

The rest of Slovakia is a little bit behind in infrastructure and services, but we like it the Slovak way. Services are not perfect, but easily accessible. This is what I like in Slovakia, as well as some traditional food and drink.

2. Our food is good, although not fast

Bryndzové halušky is the most popular meal accessible in any traditional wooden restaurant in the mountains. Potato dumplings with special kind of sheep cheese product that cannot be found elsewhere. However, Slovak hockey players in Canada claim that they almost matched the taste by mixing three kinds of cheese. Apart from that, the villagers and shepherds make potato pancakes, pastries and onion soup. Recently a radio reporter mentioned that the traditional Slovak restaurants started to offer popular 'menu' dishes such as pizza in order to copy the western fast food culture. I think, it is a cultural clash, as the traditional village food has always been associated with nature and serenity.

Food in Slovakia.

3. We do not suffer from freezing cold

Slovakia.

Temperatures in winter can really approach -30°C. Our mountains are popular with tourist destination. Biggest one is the Vysoké Tatry, but in winter you can go skiing in any mountain range, or national parks. However, in summer you can do hiking, climbing or just relax in some of the many spa towns with temperatures around 30°C.

Slovak climate is typical of the alternation of the four seasons. There is a lot of snow fall in winter. But while the inhabitants of the northern mountainous regions can enjoy skiing untill May, the hot April temperatures in the south melt the snow and turn the countryside into Venice. Literally, every year some villages struggle with flooding.

4. We are not Czechoslovakia anymore!

Ice hockey and slalom.

Before, we formed one state with Czech Republic. But in 1993, we formally separated into two undefended states. (No, there was no war, as many people may think.) Some people even associate Slovakia with Russia, our main ice hockey rival when we were still part of Czechoslovakia. Now, the rivalry transferred to the Czechs. Every May, the entire country watches the ice hockey championship, cheering for our national team. For a short period we forget about our good relations with the Czechs, especially when we play each other.

5. Three things the Slovaks living abroad miss the most

Horalky wafer bar

Horalky - Slovak wafer bar

Horalky, the wafers filled with hazelnut cream and coated in chocolate. There are several, modern versions, but the traditional hazelnut is the best.

Slivovica

Slivovica (plum brandy)

Slivovica is a strong spirit distilled from plums or other seasonal fruits. It has high alcohol content (up to 70%) and the local tradition is to welcome a guest with a shot of the home distilled spirit. Slivovica is unique to the family recipe, the mass-manufactured bottles in supermarkets are far from tradition. Therefore it is virtually unavailable abroad, unless you slip a bottle into your luggage and risk broken glass.

O kozliatkach

Fictional TV Characters

We have some typical fairy tale characters that are part and parcel of Christmas TV. John the Pea, King, Devil, Dragon, Cinderella (not the hair metal band), three little goats and the wolf, and other folk legends were all adapted by Slovak writers and film makers.