Travelling is quite simply at its best when u connect with the locals. It was my good fortune that put me in the same car as a homebound born and bred Bratislavan. Jana, a lovely 30 something tranlator-interpretor told more than a few stories about her memories of the bad old Communist days.
Apparently Jana is the product of rather affluent stock but along with Communist rule came the edict that all land and weath was to be relinquished into the hands of the state. When her uncle flat out refused, he was thrown in jail for zears and his land was appropriated regardless. The Communist regime quit on Slavakia in `89 after which the land was returned to it rightful owners but by then it had been rendered worthless. What a tragedy.
Jana also told of her mother`s love of languages which prompted her to study French even though she thought she would never be permitted to leave the country to put it into practice. Fast-forward 20 years: Jana and her mother are visiting Niagara Falls. Her mum is overcome with emotion. She`d felt she would never live to see the day when tourism was so simple. This from a woman who lived for years a stone`s throw away from the Austrian border but who never once was able to visit through the Communist years. Really makes one appreciate the value of good old fashioned democracy.
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