My friend sweet D offered to pick me up from the airport since he has a car and I had 2 GIANT and HEAVY bags plus a carry-on. These are the following stories.
1) While pulling giant bag #2 off the carousel (all by myself because I AM WOMAN) I definitely scraped/dropped it on my toe and literally ripped half of my toe nail off. Sweet D is calling me at the same time trying to figure out where I am and where to pick me up, so I am leaving a trail of blood with my push cart of giant luggage through baggage claim out to the pick up area. While waiting for him to pull in, this kind woman offers me a band aid (they call them plaster here fyi) because "I saw you bleeding everywhere".
"Welcome back!" My toe whispered to me as I hobbled into the car.
2) Since I live on a pedestrian only street and your car has to have a permit to drive on it (I know, my Euro life is awesome!) Sweet D couldn't drop me off right at my flat. So I took one bag in right after the airport, and he came by the next evening, parked, and had me wait in the car while he took my other bag to my flat for me. Unfortunately, he parked a little too close to the tram track so when the tram came it sat and honked at me to move the car so it could get by. Thats right, a tram full of passengers at rush hour honking at ME to move a stick shift car I have no idea how to drive. So I panicked and tried to move it, but couldn't even figure out how to start it...so the tram continues to honk and I continue to freak out...the tram driver gets out to try and tell me I NEED TO MOVE NOW...and Sweet D is still taking my bag to my flat...and OMG EVERYONE HATES ME! Finally a car full of shirtless guys drinking beer pulls up and I ask them "HEY! Do you speak English? Can you move this car for me?". They said "yes, I can move it...hold my beer..." So I held fat shirtless mans beer while he moved the car for me and the tram was able to get by.
This is my life my friends!
But otherwise, being back has been wonderful! Nothing here feels foreign anymore, it's just normal and home-like for me. I missed my flat, roomie, city, cafes, cheap food and drinks, friends, everything! Went by the school today to drop off my entire suitcase full of books and supplies from the states in my new classroom. All I can say is, I have a lot of work to do. But it's SO HOT and HUMID today and tomorrow and those rooms have minimal ventilation and no AC so I might wait until next week when it cools down a bit and just keep unpacking and working from home in my air conditioned apartment until then.
Love from Bratislava!
