Top of the Morning to You!!!!!

This past Friday morning I headed up to the train station (about a 20 minute walk one way) to purchase the tickets for our holiday travel. We will be spending a week in Salzburg, Austria, we leave the 23rd and return on the 30th. Scott and I are very excited about spending Christmas in Salzburg. We will be sure to share photos and stories in the new year. On the walk back from the train station I discovered a public park located on the grounds of the Presidential Palace, a very beautiful area and so relaxing.

Scott and I had a terrific weekend. Although quite low key it was very relaxing and enjoyable. We were able to explore some more of this fair city, Bratislava. Strolling down towards the waterfront we discovered a wonderful walking/cycling trail. The weather was phenomenally balmy for this time of the year and the sun was shining in a beautiful blue sky. Walking along the river we discovered we were not the only ones out enjoying the gorgeous weather. There were fellow walkers, cyclists and roller bladers galore. It is quite remarkable the amount of construction, development and revitalization, that is going on here. Scott mentioned that Bratislava will be a very different city in 10 or 20 years time. In the Old Town, there are a number of older buildings that are being gutted and their exteriors maintained. It can hardly be an easy or inexpensive venture for the investors of these projects. Bratislava is certainly a city of contrasts. The facades of many buildings in Old Town hold the old world charm that locals and travelers alike adore, it is part of the charm that draws so many to Europe. One can not help but recognize the deterioration that is so rampant and inevitable in cities that indeed have such history. It can be quite disconcerting at times, as you walk down a street admiring the fair beauty and architectural skill that went into creating such a fine building, on turning the corner you are confronted by a dilapidated, almost derelict building.

Above is a photo of a beautiful church we walk by each morning.

It is quite refreshing to find a city that is conducive to walking about in. As many of you might recall, in Bill Bryson's book, A Walk in the Woods, he points out the disheartening fact that so many cities in the United States of America are not pedestrian friendly; some are exceedingly dangerous actually for anyone who ventures out on foot. If you haven't had a chance to read this book, by all means add it to your Christmas reading list. I found it quite entertaining and enlightening, there were parts that were laugh out loud hysterical.