Ringing in 2007
New Years Day In Velky Slavkov
The end of 2006 in Slovakia was somewhat anti-climactic as Pr. Daniel became sick and normal events stalled. I decided to make my first visit to my friend Kaija’s placement in Velky Slavkov, a village in the High Tatra mountains. I am blessed that my fellow YAGM volunteer is only an hour and a half away by train, but even so, I was warned by several people to “Bud pozor” (be careful) as even at 6pm on Silvester (New Year’s Eve) people on the trains were reeling drunk. I travel on trains alone enough to know that a seat in a compartment next to a friendly 70-something babka is probably a wiser decision than a compartment full of rowdy boys with beers in hand. Luckily, I arrived without any problem just in time for a Bible devotion and praise song fest over at Mylin, the renovated penzion for at-risk young men. Kaija works at a Christian retreat center next door, and often visits “the boys” in the evenings to teach English, practice her Slovak, or simply hang out. Currently, there are 21 boys supported by the family who runs Mylin, from the age of 20 to around 50. Many are orphans too old to live in the orphanages, but lacking in the social and practical skills necessary to maintain a home and a job. Some are recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. But all love Kaija, and it was a wonderful experience to meet them all and take part in the “dance party” after the worship service. The small town of Velky Slavkov came alive at midnight with fireworks, singing, and “Stasny Novy Rok” greetings all around the town. Kaija and I walked around the town hall dodging firecrackers and drunk young men a little too eager to give New Year’s kisses. There seems to be little if any legal limitations on firework sales, so we were treated to spectacular shows at dangerously close ranges.
Kaya and Rebecca in the Tatras
After a short night of sleep, Kaija and I celebrated the New Year and the snow with a hike in the Tatras. We took a small train, or “electricka” to Strbska Pleso, a popular skiing resort, and followed the signs to Poprad Pleso, a beautiful mountain lake with a great view. On the ride back, we met a delightful old couple returning home after a week’s vacation in the Tatras, and we congratulated ourselves on our Slovak skills. It is moments like these, when you get to hear the stories of the people in their own language, which makes learning the language worth it. A Slovak New Year for me wasn’t much different from a New Year at home, and I was grateful to spend it with old friends and new.
