Day 30

16/09/2011 – Day 30

Bratislava

It would be a waste to pass through a city like Bratislava without stopping to see some of it.

As we cycled through last night looking for somewhere to stay we had a quick glimpse of the cobbled streets and the architecture, today we had a chance to walk round the centre and take time to see it properly.

First impressions are good, it is clean, well looked after in most places and the people seem friendly. Everyone speaks English (which is probably why it is full of Americans) and even the signs are in English. This does not detract for it though, they are happy to let you use your bad Slovakian and understand you, then reply slowly and clearly for you to get the gist of it.

The castle is closed for renovation at the moment and there are a few tatty buildings in some places but it is obvious that there is a lot of renovation work in progress. The feeling that kept coming back to me is that a lot of things are wearing out and will need a little bit attention very soon.

It has the feeling of a much smaller town where you quickly feel at home and relaxed.

And unlike Vienna it is not covered in graffiti.