Slovenska!

Hello again,

On my second day in Esztergom I decided to change hotels. I got a room at the Hotel Esztergom, which the Lonely Planet guide book called uninspired, but hey, sometimes when you're in Europe, staying in tiny guests houses in the sweltering heat, forcing yourself to eat bologna for breakfast so you don't offend your hosts, well, an uninspired American-style hotel is just what you need.

My friend Julia and I stayed in a similar place in Korcula, Croatia, which we dubbed a "Soviet hotel." I'd say the Hotel Esztergom fell into that category. A little on the socialist side, but a nice big room with lots of towels and a balcony, so that was nice.

After securing my room and dumping off my backpack I sat on the Danube for awhile to return some phone calls. It's a beautiful river. I am always reminded of our cruises along the Rhine when I sit by the Danube. I'm not sure if the Danube has beautiful castles along it, but I might have to take a cruise and find out.

Here are some pictures of the Danube beach where I was sitting. I watched a little girl throwing sticks into the river while I made my calls. The breeze blowing off it was wonderfully refreshing. The air *almost* smelled like it does at the Coast, and it made me wish Jimmy and I could make one of our winter voyages to the Outer Banks which I've missed so much these last couple of years.

Danube Beach on Primate Island

Danube Beach with Boat

Danube Beach Looking towards Slovenska

After relaxing for a little while in the breeze and catching up on business (job applications) I decided it was time to cross the bridge.

Here you can see I'm leaving Hungary and Esztergom behind me.

Leaving Esztergom

To get to Slovakia you must cross the Maria Valerie Bridge which connects the two countries.  The Danube marks the border here.

Maria Valerie Bridge

The Basilica looks cool from the bridge.

Esztergom Basilica from Maria Valeria Bridge 

Gorgeous, Huh?

I think it's always interesting to cross over into a new country and I always get excited, even if it's just across a bridge. Here is the Slovakian border.

Entering Slovakia

Slovenska Republika

Slovakian Hills across the Danube

Now Entering Slovenska

The little town across the river is called Sturovo. After crossing the bridge I decided to seek out a little church whose steeple I had seen from across the river. This took me through the little downtown of Sturovo.

Sturovo Downtown

I had to walk down a little alley to get to the church.

I feel like I see a lot of small churches like this one. When I got close, I could see it was kind of run down on the outside. There was not a sign indicating what kind of church it was. I was able to peek in the window (the doors were locked) and judging from the ornate interior with what appeared to be a Baby Jesus figure on the altar, I'm assuming it was a Catholic Church. It reminded me of when my friend Ursula and I were driving across country and we took a detour to see the Church of the Infant Baby Jesus of Prague, in Prague, OK. (The Baby Jesus was from Prague, Czech Republic, their sister city.)

I saw a pretty cool equestrian statue, but I couldn't determine who it was depicting.

Slovakian Equestrian Statue

Right at this point somebody stopped, got out of their car, and came over and started speaking frantically to me. I think he was asking directions, but I'm not sure. The gesturing clued me in a tad.  :) All I had to do was say, "I'm sorry, I don't understand," and that's all it took for him to wave me off and keep going.

I walked back across the river to enjoy the rest of my time in Esztergom.

Leaving Slovakia

Now Entering Hungary!!!