Trip to Tisovec

First, this is the maypole in the town center in Liptovsky Mikuláš, which we saw on the way back from our bike ride Sunday.

Monday was another warm, beautiful day, and on the way back after lunch at the primary school, I wanted to get a picture of the prettiest bushes of bridal wreath I think I've ever seen, along with our two Slovak daughters, Janka and Katarina!    :-)  

On Monday, we had another trip planned, this one by car!  Arden Haug, the Global Missions director for Europe who trained us, picked us up after school to drive southeast through the mountains to meet the American lectors who are at the school in Tisovec.  

The drive through the mountains was another gorgeous trip, but it was difficult to get pictures from the back seat!  Arden dropped us off at this salaš, then continued on to pick up the girls in Tisovec, since the car wouldn't hold us all!  So Tim and I walked up the hill to look around and get a table.  

I may have to start a whole series of photos of Tim with the wooden traditional figures!   This one is of a shepherd, right next to the salaš (sheep ranch, now a restaurant.)

Heading up to check out the sheep behind the salaš.  It was about a half hour before the others joined us, so we just enjoyed the peaceful setting and cool mountain air.  

We had a delicious dinner of traditional fare such as pirohy and halušky with bryndza (sheep cheese), mutton, sauerkraut, smoked cheeses and sausage, etc.  with the gals who are teaching in Tisovec and Arden.  

Arden with his newest recruit!   ;-)  

We again waited for Arden to drop the gals back in town, so we went out on the porch and enjoyed listening to the many bird calls as the evening shadows lengthened.  We particularly enjoyed the persistent cuckoos!  

Sunset through the forest!   What a wonderful way to end the day watching God's handiwork on this beautiful spring evening in the forested mountains of Slovakia!  

We got home about 10:30 Monday night after much good conversation in the car with Arden.  Tuesday was a busy day at school, followed by our Slovak lesson, church choir (which was moved from Monday after we said we couldn't come the next 2 Mondays) and an English lesson with Eva and Tana.  We got all packed for our trip to Iowa, and Tim actually got to sleep at a decent time.  Maybe now that I've shared our last couple of experiences, I'll finally be tired enough to fall asleep too, despite the excitement about leaving tomorrow for our trip back to the good old U.S.A.!!  

LATER..........  Well, Wednesday went by in a blur, everything went great at school, and we were on the train to Bratislava by 3:30.  After a nice dinner with Katie, Tim and I strolled around the old town for a while soaking in the European atmosphere.  And now, we're ready to take 2 buses which will get us to the Vienna airport!!   

CONGRATULATIONS to Beth - we can't wait to see everyone!!      :-)