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Slovakia

Sights around the country

Driving through Slovakia, I was struck by the number of old castles atop rocky hilltops I could see. This one is just north of Bratislava, as seen from a rest stop.

In a small town just north of Dolny Kubin, on the road to Poland, I saw this enormous complex. Set against the pastel colors of the local church, one gets an impression of the complexities of the relationships of rulers and religion. With evening coming and the rain falling, I didn't get a chance to wander through - maybe next time...

The rural lifestyle is still alive and well though much of Slovakia. This village in the foothills of the High Tatra mountains reflects a more bucolic pace, and these folks working in their roadside garden are reminders of a past that is not close to disappearing in the early 21st century.

	The High Tatras (Vysoke Tatry) are the northernmost peaks of the Carpathian mountains, and heading south into them in the evening was a stunning experience. I spent the night in the town of Smokovec, nestled in the foothills of the mountains. The whole region is crisscrossed with hiking trails and ski runs. It is a cute-as-a-button region that attracts outdoor buffs from all over Europe.

Unfortunately, as is the case with much of the region, there is lots of garbage mixed in with the natural beauty...

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