No real theme here, just strolling around in or near the old city.
Most of these photos were taken during the hot sunny spell we had a
week ago.
![default title defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5084.jpg)
![The beam in your eye defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5233.jpg)
This green array
is here for something in particular, promoting an art exhibit or
something.
If I were using film, I'd have spent a bundle just on photos of this
beam construct in the Cardinal's Square, where the laptop users
hang out for the free wireless connection.
(I have since found
other, more comfortable wireless access, including the food court at
the "other" big shiny shopping mall - i.e.. the one where I
didn't see H. Potter & the Half-Blood Prince)
![Monument to the Slovak National Uprising defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5104.jpg)
![Michael's Gate, outer part defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5121.jpg)
Have I mentioned before that the small but charming old city center has
been lovingly spruced up? It really is a relaxing way to stroll around
and treat your eyes. Only when you get out into the modern town
do you realize how much the old city is aimed at the tourist
trade. F'rinstance, even though there a plenty of pricey cafes
and bars, there is no place to eat cheap, no place to buy groceries, or
even
cheap fast food, 'cept at McDonalds. The restaurant street below
is nothing like as crass as most cities' Shakedown Streets, but
contrived with charm is still contrived. And pricey.
I love the old city for its beauty, but I've learned to do my actual
day to day living in the working part of town like everybody else.
![Michael's Gate, outer part defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5124.jpg)
![anonymous passageway defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5147.jpg)
![Michael's Gate with tower defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5153.jpg)
Beatniks and Martians
![Martian, with heat ray defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5172.jpg)
Bratislava City of the Beatniks
That is what it says.
Someday I will have to look up what connection this off the beaten path
city is supposed to have had with the beats.
Many years later: This is embarassing. In my ignorance of Slovak, I misled myself with
that genitive plural. The sign really says Bratislava Reads the Beatniks!
Oops! At least it explains why I've never found any real connection between the city
and the beats. Mea culpa!
Awwright alla you old George Pal fans:
reports say that giant machines from
Mars have landed by the River Danube and are even now turning their
destructive heat rays on the freeways of Slovakia.
![Novy Most from the boat from Vienna defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5354.jpg)
This thing is actually called the New Bridge (Novy Most). Most of what
remained of the city's old Jewish neighborhood was demolished to make
way for it in the 1970's.
Here is what it looks like from the boat coming down the river from
Vienna, a picturesque and slightly pricier alternative to the 1-hour
train ride.
The Grand Promenade
Near the river there is a long promenade, lined with pre-WW1
buildings.
There is a playground here, a giant chess setup, a stage with free
jazz-oriented shows on weekends, various sculptures, greenery ... a
fine place
where people come and hang out. Even though there are plenty of cafes
and
booths where you can spend money, you can have a fine ol' afternoon for
free.
(One of the monumental statues there is of Hans Christian Andersen,
with a huge snail by his feet, and a small man on his shoulder,
speaking into his ear. My only pix of H.C. are in flat overcast light, so
we won't see him on this page.)
![Cafe Street leading to gate defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5163.jpg)
![default title defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5395.jpg)
![On the Mall defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5398.jpg)
![default title defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5399.jpg)
![default title defalt alt text](pix/2009/img_5408.jpg)
That is it for now.
A page with more pictures than this puts a strain on some people's net
connections.
Contents Copyright 2012 Jeff Bulf