Enjoying Bratislava and the Seminary

This was another full day in the classroom, but I decided to capture some images of our meals and surroundings here at the seminary during the training and orientation activities.  We had our third and final hour of Slovak language training, yet we still feel quite inadequate in communicating.  We know a few phrases, but there is a long way to go!!  

Typical breakfast - cold meat, cheese, tomatoes and cucumbers, with rolls/bread and butter, and hot tea!

Claudia teaching our class about English Language Learners

More ELL training

Our table in the dining hall, all set for lunch - complete with bottles of sparkling mineral water and fresh gladiolas

Slices of steamed bread with meatballs and a sauce (like tomato soup)

Eating lunch

In the afternoon, Arden Haug gave a session on expectations of us as missionaries.  There were a few other interesting topics such as our plan for emergency evacuation from the country if necessary!!  We also received some orientation on culture differences in central Europe.  After classes, we had a practical training session at the apartment of the same teachers who had us over for supper earlier in the week.  This time it was concerning Slovak alcohol consumption.  First, we had a history lesson......

Slovakia is known for its fine vineyards and wines, but in earlier centuries wine was reserved for the nobility.  Slovakia is also known for its fine grains and beers, but likewise, the beer was reserved for the German barons.  So the Slovak peasants had to make do with the only resource left - the fruits that grow in the area, such as plums and apricots.  They made a mash out of the fruit, fermented it, then distilled it into potent and flavorful spirits.  So this evening, we tasted a collection of slivovitz's and learned the socially correct ways to "just say no" in Slovakia!!  

With Dave Swenson's classmate from Austin, MN - Arden Haug (the head of the ELCA in Europe)

After the slivovitz session, we were given 10 euros each and sent out for dinner on our own.   The 8 new teachers all decided to stay together, and we went to a highly recommended Slovak pub which served native food.  Tim and I had fried cheese, and zucchini boats baked with veggies and cheese - delicious!!  Then we all walked down through old town to the Danube, where we walked along a wide stone pathway along the river.  Afterwards, we walked up past the castle again to show the others the views at night, then continued back up the hill to the seminary.  
Tomorrow is our last day of training - we don't feel ready, so it's a good thing there is another week of training at our own schools!!  :-)