Obvisoce, Slovakia
If you come to visit me in Obišovce, you most likely will actually arrive in the town of Kysak (pronounced “Key-sock”). Although Kysak only has a little over 1,000 people, one of its main sources of employment is the large train station located there. Even the rychly vlak (fast train) stops there. After you exit the train station, you will have about a ten-minute walk to Obišovce, crossing a bridge over a gently flowing river and passing the fruit and vegetable canning factory, another main source of employment for the area. During the day, you probably will smell something like the pungent aroma of tomato sauce mixed with the distinct scent of pickling vinegar. If you are lucky to come on a clear night, be sure to stop on the bridge, where free from light pollution, you will be able to see showers of stars as you breathe in the fresh countryside air.
After passing the canning factory, on your right side you will see a monument to World War II soldiers (a very common sight in Slovakia) and a small shelter where a bus station used to be located. Unfortunately, no bus station is within walking distance, so taking a train is the best option if you’re without a car. Across the street is an empty “potraviny” (grocery store, and adjacent to that is a small functioning grocery store (don’t expect to get fresh fruit or vegetables there!) along with a pub where you can meet many locals sitting out on the porch on nice days. Going up the hill, you will pass Teta Raczova’s house, the church organist, and possibly see her working in her garden.
Rebecca In front of Teta Raczova's and the Evanjelicky Kostol
Directly above Teta Raczova’s is the Evanjelicky kostol and Farsky urad (Lutheran church and parsonage). The parsonage is painted a bright orange, the same color as the bar, but I have been assured that the bar was painted that color after the parsonage. The church is a white concrete structure (like most buildings in Slovakia) with a red roof which is in need of repair. Every day the church bells ring at 5am, 12pm, and 7pm. My room faces the church, so you may be awakened by church bells and dogs barking until you get used to the noise. If you descend down the church’s steps, you will be in front of the village’s culture house, another white building which is under reconstruction now. Behind the culture house is a road which is rarely traveled, good for morning runs along the river, or getting to the hiking paths in the woods around Obišovce. Some people have summer cabins along this road. The fall colors are astounding at this time of year, so enjoy!
Continuing up the hill from the parsonage you will pass the railroad tracks and the mayor’s office. If you take a left, you will see a row of nicer houses jestingly referred to by villagers as “Beverly Hills.” Going straight further up the hill will bring you to the village cemetery and Catholic church. Filip likes to go “visit the Catholic priest” in the evenings, as there is plenty of space to run around. Walking around the village in the afternoon guarantees greetings from everyone you meet, including a cheerful “Dobry den!” from the older women and “Ahoj!” or “Hello!” (especially if they want to practice their English) from the younger children. Everyone will know you as the American, so don’t be afraid to try out your Slovak. The Catholic church looks much like the Lutheran church except it has a black roof. The concrete sidewalk will turn into a gravel path, where you will finally come to Obišovce’s small train station. If you plan ahead, you can take a slower train anywhere in Slovakia from here! Štastnu cestu (Enjoy your trip)!