---

30.9.06 - 7:23

Alas, it's the final day of September, and just like clock-work every day I'm up at 7AM. No matter what time I fall asleep, my body always seems to get me up at 7AM. I think it does have something to do with the morning air. It's so refreshing and crisp. This will actually be one of the things I miss when I get back to the states.

Yesterday was filled with good news items and bad news items. We headed out to Poprad yesterday morning to see what the 'big city' was all about. I turned on the radio to find myself in the mist of a 'Nation Lampoon's European Vacation' trip, as 'Waterloo' started to play on the radio. The roads heading up to Poprad were filled with crazed drivers (at least, coming up as a country boy, they were crazed). The roads in Slovakia are designed to be about double-width of current two lane roads. This gives prime opportunity to have people pass you easily. No big deal, until you drive down these roads at 100km/hour, and someone whizzes by you going at least 160km/hour. It's kind of like a big rally race, as sometimes you see two or three cars try passing each other all at the same exact time...WITH traffic coming the opposite direction. It's amazing that I never hear, on Slovak TV or radio, that there are never any car accidents. As I started to approach 120km/hour, two people decided I was going too slow (I think the speed limit was 100km/hour) and passed me easily going 40-60km/hour quicker. As I approached the city limits, you see how the signs on the road start to change with the new speed limits.. (100) .. (80) .. (60) .. (40) .. All the while, I was slowing myself down to match the speed. Up ahead, I saw something stopped in the road. Ooooh .. lookie here. The two different cars that passed me blazing down the road had been pulled over. Wow, karma is a bitch, huh?

As we approached the city, we started seeing signs for big-name stores such as Bauxmax and Tesco. I feared Bauxmax would be the same as an Ace Hardware back home, versus the big name chains such as Lowe's and Home Depot. As we approached though, I realized how it put even the big name chains to shame...

The advertisements were everywhere. Quite obviously, the place had serious sponsership from the Slovak version of 'Trading Spaces,' as the designers faces were all around the parking lot on large banners attached to light poles, and on the main building itself. I was completely shocked at how wonderfully clean this place was. One of the greatest ideas I have ever seen in my lifetime is the 'coin-op' shopping carts. It's quite simple: all the shopping carts are 'locked' together (making it easier to move them from one place to another), the patron inserts a coin into a slot on the cart (knocking the lock out, but keeping the coin in place), once done with the cart, the patron locks the cart back to the other carts and the coin pops out. It really is quite an ingenious idea that I really feel every company should use. It's fair to everyone, and keeps the aisles clean of clutter.

Walking into Bauxmax for the first time was another interesting experiance. Like nearly all other stores in Slovakia, you have to pass through a 'self-opening' gate to get in. This is actually another neat concept, as the security to the store could easily stop you from entering if they had good reason to. Everything here seems so secure, yet so lax. The size of the building itself was comparable to Lowe's, but the way it was laid out was far superior. First, as a major benefit, it took over the idea of skylights to help light the building (something I've felt Lowe's needed for years). It not only added natural lighting to the building, but it gave you a sense of peace walking around. Quite obviously, many people in Slovakia are focused on plumbing fixtures. The main area was full of bathroom displays, including the *sigh* full-body massage shower (which retails back in the states for over $2000, but can be purchased here for a minor $600). The 'basic' toilets were stacked on top of each other in a big display. The more unique toilets (such as the in-wall units - my new favorite) had displays seperate of the rest of the bathroom items.

Even compairing how items were displayed was quite unique. I actually prefer the way Bauxmax had items laid out versus how Lowe's does. The doors, for example, they had a big hut area that allowed you to play with all the doors and windows. The 'basic' interior doors were hanging above the stock below. The patio furniture was on the (yes, get this) second level, which provided a full viewing of the store below (that, and they had my favorite chair available .. the ratatan). They sold everything Lowe's does, minus kitchens and appliances (because they're sold at Tesco). They do, however, sell pet supplies, automobile equipment (including tires), bicycles, and much more! So they equal themselves out.

There were big simularities too. The carpet cutting machine was the exact same as how it was back at Lowe's. The ceramic tile display was the exact same (except they had some awesome 'wood' looking ceramic tile). The paint section and outdoor garden section appeared to be the same too.

As I admired the building, I began to realize how similar life is to back home. These people work every day to pay thier bills and support thier families. Then they go shopping for odds and ends they need to maintain thier house, or thier gardens, and just live life to the fullest. I also realized how much more simplistic life is here too. No one is up bitching that they want thier $200 purchase for free because someone looked at them funny. That's where America has gone corrupt. I swear to you, there is so much more freedom here than I have ever seen in America. If you can get over that language barrier and culture shock, this place would be very easy to call home.

Afterwards, we headed over to the Poprad Tesco. From the outside, you could easily mistake it for a Wal-Mart from the states. Inside, it was laid out much different that the one in Bratislava. First off, this Tesco was all one-floor (versus the one in Bratislava being four-floors). Secondly, you could fill your basket with everything needed and pay at once (versus the one in Bratislava having 'seperate' markets inside where you paid each individually). The place was very large. They had all the standard needs, such as CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, books, electronics, kitchens, appliances, clothes, *sigh* you name it, they probably had it. Roaming the aisles, I found it interesting that so many 'game' systems have never made thier way here. A majority of all video games are available via PC only. The rest of them are available for the Playstation 2. I've yet to see anything for a X-Box (standard or 360), nor a Gamecube. Hmmm.. maybe this is why children here are so active playing games with each other outside, or riding bikes, or taking hiking trips, or any countless number of things to do?? While all along, the children of the U.S. become overweight and technology obsessed sitting around trying to conquer that next level of some irrational game? *sigh* .. I've always said it, and I always will. When I do have children, I don't want to raise them in the states. They have much more available to them abroad. A stronger education, a healthier lifestyle, and the common comforts of friendly people.

Looking over the music, it's amazing how many American CDs there were (yet surprisingly so few Slovak people speak any English). I found some 'Slovak Underground Punx Attack' CDs, and figured I'd try them out, just to see how the 'underground' music scene really is. Afterwards, I began searching the rest of the store. Nothing in particular, but I find that I'm one who loves to just shop around. I made my way into the grocery area to look around. Immediately, I was happy to be back at Tesco looking over the prices. So much cheaper! I readily enjoy Tesco for it's fine selection and prices alone. I was told I should check out the automotive section, and to my happiness, I picked up two stickers for my car (the Slovakia symbol, and a 'SK' sticker).

We did some quick grocery shopping looking over all they had to offer. Another great recommendation? Get the Tesco Strawberry Ice Tea. It runs roughly 30sk (about $1) per litre, and it is delicous! On my way out, I picked up some of the bakery pizza breads and a Kofola (my main staple of food in Slovakia). I headed back out to the car, and feasted on my tasty lunch costing me about 40sk (or about $1.30). I'm going to miss this place dearly when I depart.... But I somehow have a feeling this wont be the last time I come here! :-D

We left Tesco and headed for the centrum (the center of town - usually a pedestrian area full of shops). Heading there, I found myself going into another 'National Lampoon' moment, entering into a big circle (look kids! Big Ben! There's the Castle! .. Big Ben again! and the Castle! .. Hey, it's Big Ben!). There's traffic coming from every direction, including going around the tiny circle, so it makes it hard to manuver your way around. Finally, I was able to brisk my way through and head towards the Centrum.....

Eh.. Unfortunately, it wasn't even worth a stop. You would think that such a large city of Poprad would have an awesome Centrum area, right? .. But there was nothing there, it was very limited (and parking was a bitch). Finally we decided to head back towards the Centrum of Liptovsky Mikulas (easy parking, lots of stores, very nice). As we arrived, we took to our normal parking area and headed to our normal Internet Cafe hangout. As I went upstairs this time, I saw a guy sitting there with a laptop. I smacked myself trying to figure out why I never checked for a WiFi connection here. Immediately, I ran back down and grabbed my laptop from the car. At last! A suitable WiFi connection!! This is perfect!! I can update pictures and the blog, right!? ..

Wrong ..

Uhhgg.. Seems something fishy has happened in transit with my laptop. My WiFi card appeared to be on the fritz. I could connect just fine, and I would have Internet for all of 3-4 minutes and then nothing. This happened to me in Amsterdam too, but I blamed the WiFi connection. Immediately, I started to try to focus on what the issue was. Ooooh crap, look at that, I can TRACERT and PING at a command prompt, but do nothing in a 32-bit operating status (eh.. sorry.. technical garble). I tried to remove and re-install my WiFi card but to no avail. I assumed that there was a problem with my card, so I went to the computer place next door and purchased a new one.

I connected it in my laptop, and hopped right online (at a much quicker speed, mind you). Yay! Lets update pictures, right!? .. Wrong .. *sigh* .. okay, so I lost connection again. This means there's an issue with something in the registry blocking my access after a certain point in Windows. *sigh* .. I know what this meant, it was time to 'Restore' the system back to it's original. *sigh* .. Okay, I'll work on it back at the cottage.

Maria came online and started to chat. I was so happy to hear that my trip to Trencin is back on! Now to look for something a bit cheaper in Trencin than the Hotel Tatra (oooh.. a deal at $160/night .. for 4 nights? *gulp*). I can't wait to head to Trencin, as I have a feeling it will be the highlight of my adventures!

As I got back to the cottage, I started to 'backup' my data from the hard drive (I knew I should have invested in that 100GB USB hard drive! *smacks forehead*). Then I started to realize I didn't have my install CDs for my main programs (Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, etc)... Oooooh, I can't go about killing the system yet.. I have to try and find an alternate route. *sigh* .. okay, so I hit a restore up to a prior date where I knew I had no issue with my WiFi connection, then modified the registry to pull out any issues I found.. *cross fingers* .. I can only hope this works, or I'll be forced to go crazy without my 'technology obsession'.

Cross your fingers and wish me luck.. Of course, none of you know this until I post it.. and I can't post it until I get my lappy online.. Soooooo.. crap.. when you finally read this, would you wish me the best? *grin*