Travel The World

Back in '06, my employer sent me to Presov, Slovakia for five months to work with the Slovak Air Force.  During that time, I took many trips within the country and met many wonderful people.  Last year, I posted some pictures of Betliar Manor, a residence of past nobility in the southern part of the country.  I thought I'd posted all of those but recently discovered a CD containing some pictures of the same trip, pictures that were taken by the family that hosted me that day.  They're mostly of the area around the manor with some including me and my friends.  Take special note, though, of the picture with the elderly woman sitting at a table.  She was the grandmother of one of my friends and we had stopped off in her village to visit her during our touring that day.  At some point in our discussion, she told us she'd been a young woman during WWII and then started sharing some of her experiences from that time.  One especially interesting topic wa...

Here is a video with accompanying music that was played at this festival in San Antonio a few weeks ago.  Everyone was hospitable and I had a great time.

When I was in the army, I couldn't even travel to Czechoslovakia.  In '06, I was able to enter a Slovak AFB and take pictures with the permission of a public affairs officer.  How times have changed.

On the way to the hangar, I managed to catch this chopper in flight. Inside the cockpit! One last picture with friends before departing. These pictures were taken during a visit to a Slovak AFB in Fall '06.  The main thing I remember about that day was how terribly cold it was!

I continue showing the interior of Betliar Manor.

This reminds me so much of my childhood home:)

It would have been amazing to relax in such surroundings . . .

Here are some amazing pictures from the inside of Betliar Manor.  Really, it's almost a vulgar display of wealth!

An amazing monument especially the interior (I'll post some pics of that later).

Here's an interesting statue behind the manor.  Speaking of the manor, I will begin posting pictures of the interior/exterior tomorrow.

There was an equestrian event taking place the day I visited Betliar Manor near Roznava.  As I recall, the event was held on the grounds behind the manor.  If you're interested in reading more about this famous location, I've included a link below: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betliar

A church and a castle that I can't recall the names of.  Perhaps, someone can help me.  One clue, these were on the way/road (coming from the east) to Roznava in central Slovakia.

I spent the night with a friend of mine in this small town just outside of Kosice, Slovakia.  All my pictures of Slovakia show older buildings but these are of houses in a modern residential area.  I really like the architectural style.

Various farm elements used in the traditional village.  I wish I could recognize some of them!