Bojnice- A small fairytale

From Bratislava to Bojnice:

The train from Bratislava to Prievidza took around 3 hours. And a one side ticket would cost you around 8 euros. When I reached there it was already dark. I opened my map and checked that the place I was going to stay was at a distance of some thirty minutes.  Also I was kind of tired sitting inside the train, I decide to walk. After around 15 minutes of walk, I noticed that there were no people around me anymore. I was on a highway. Because the place I booked was actually in another small town called Bojnice. What actually surprised me was that I was on that highway alone and that too in the darkness of night, but somehow I didn’t have a bit of fear in my heart. I was walking enjoying music as if I was in a garden or some street in an old city town. That’s when I realized that how far I have come in all these years, in all these months. I felt a sense of accomplishment. It is a nice feeling when you realize that you have overcome your fears.

Accomodation:

Anyhow my walk at the highway didn’t last long and soon I was in a three story house, where I got a single room with a separate bathroom. Considering the fact that it was a single separate room, the price of around 17 Euros which I paid for that seems highly reasonable. The name of the place was Garni Hotel Mado, and the guy there was also quite cooperative.

I wanted to wake up early the other morning, so I didn’t do much and went to bed soon.

I stuck to my plan of waking up early. Well, when it is about travelling and exploring a new place, I don’t mind waking up at even 4 in morning. The case is of course different when it comes to waking up for a morning class.

Anyhow first I located a nearby super market and went there to get something for my breakfast like cookies or small cereal bar etc.

Bojnice Castle and the Amazing People I met:

Then I set my feet on the path which led to the castle that actually attracted me to Slovakia. Yes I am talking about Bojnice Castlewhich is among the most visited castles of Central Europe. It was just a 15 minutes’ walk from my place. I really enjoyed my walk. Just a day before I was in the crowds and clamours of Vienna celebrating my new year. And then there I was in the small peaceful town of Bojnice. With beautiful walk ways bordered by trees and the small houses on either side.

Just near to the Castle, I was approached by a man. Interestingly he had a good amount of information about Pakistan which I was not expecting at all from someone roaming around in that small town. I hope no one takes it in a wrong way. The fact is that Slovakia was the only country where I didn’t see any South Asians or Pakistanis. So I would assume that in general people there are not well aware of Pakistan.

And it turned out that man studied in Italy and had a friend from Pakistan there and that’s how he knew about numerous cities of Pakistan. He helped me with buying my ticket to the castle and also showed me around a little bit. We had a short yet interesting conversation.

A ticket for student cost 5 Euros.

While he was helping me at the ticket counter, there was another small family consisting of a couple and their small girl standing nearby. They noticed that I was alone and didn’t know the language, so they developed very caring and friendly feelings towards me.

Well here is an interesting part, despite being such a tourist place, the tour was offered only in the Slovak Language. May be it was not the high season and during summers they might have more options.

So coming to that family, they were actually from Bulgaria- well the woman, but were living in Czech Republic.During our tour which lasted for around an hour or more, at some places she tried to translate things for me. The guide for me was like a song or music as I couldn’t understand a single word. Still I enjoyed the castle and the royalty it holds in its existence.

What really surprised me in the castle were some artefacts from Islamic world, like a praying matt, and some hangings with Arabic calligraphy. It was actually a gift from some Muslim ruler.

We then started climbing upstairs. We visited all floors and saw bedroom, the kitchen, the dining halls, the study rooms and in short different parts of the Castle.

We also climbed one of the towers and the view from the windows was splendid. 

They also had a strange underground area which reminded me of the underground cities in Cappadocia, Turkey.

The castle is even grand from outside. It looks just like a castle from the fairy and princess tales of Disney.

I then exchanged contacts with that family. They were so loving and protective about me. They even bought some traditional snacks for me as a gift. And this red heart shaped lolly. This lolly is just a symbol; there words were even more precious for me. They said they bought it for me to express that I would be in their hearts forever.

The lady even contacted me later just to make sure that I returned back safely.

Back in Bratislava and Couch Surfing:

After the castle, I took a long walk back to the train station in order to take train back to Bratislava.

And in Bratislava, my second experience of Couch Surfing was waiting for me. Actually my bus back to Lodz was the same day but at night. So I spent some time with an amazing Slovak girl I came across through Couch Surfing. I really wanted to actually talk with some local person.  She was an open minded and thoughtful person. I really enjoyed our short time together. Plus her two super friendly dogs kept our company.

I just spent a couple of hours at her place and then went to the bus station. And surprisingly the bus station, I mean the waiting area closed at 11, and all the people, well they were just a few, had to wait outside in cold and dark.

So this was all from my trip to Slovakia. It was a place where more than places, the people inspired me and made my memories from Slovakia very amazing.