Lubos,
Thanks.  I will try.  My cousin in Kúty, made Halus~ky from "mashed" potatoes,
(erteple).  I bought a Halus~ky maker but didn't like the resulting Halus~ky.

I never ate much beef in Zahorie, (other than Gulas~ and Polievka) and I have a
question:  Are there any recipies for Slovak Meatballs, made from hamburger,
(tatarske biftek)?

She was a excellent cook and used to make stuffed rohliki.  she removed the
insides and filled the rohlik with syr, (prepared as for kolac~é) and baked
until crispy.

this can be sweetened with sugar substitute, especially for that diabetic....

Vilo

I appreciate your recipes written in this group.

Vilo




________________________________
From: Lubos Brieda <lbrieda@...>
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, February 4, 2010 1:17:30 PM
Subject: [Slovak-World] bryndzove pirohy


Hi folks, today I posted a recipe for bryndza pierogi. I would love to get your
feedback and also your family variations on the recipe. You can find the recipe
and leave the comments at
http://www.slovakcooking.com/2010/recipes/pasta/pierogi/

Thanks!
  -- Lubos Brieda --
Slovak recipes: www.slovakcooking. com
hikes and travel: www.iamlubos. com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

 
Centralia, PA's final days
 
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100205/ap_on_re_us/us_centralia_s_final_days

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

George:

Thanx for the recent article on Centralia.  The town is close to where I came
from.  I'll have to look in the Pottsville Republican and see if they have
anything more there.  Quite sad, they've tried everything to put out that fire,
and it's vile.  I've been there.

Best,
J.B.



________________________________
From: George Sirko <gsirko@...>
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, February 5, 2010 8:41:23 AM
Subject: [Slovak-World] Re:OFF Topic- Centralia, PA's final days



Centralia, PA's final days

http://news. yahoo.com/ s/ap/20100205/ ap_on_re_ us/us_centralia_ s_final_days

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Your photos are such a treat. I love the pastel colors in Presov and the archway
in particular. All the photos are wonderful, thank you for posting them.



--- In Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com, "mccoy4984" <mccoy4984@...> wrote:
>
> You can see a medieval archway in Presov, T'bilisi at night, and a sight that
will just take your breath away all at:
>
> http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/
>
> Please feel free to comment as well.
>
> Russ
>
> PS For the best view, click on each picture to enlarge.
>

Thank you so much!  I will try to keep up the pace and post more.

Russ
http://picasaweb.google.com/mccoy4984/Afghanistan3#5241951893513277746

--- In Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com, "joy2002cjm" <joy2002cjm@...> wrote:
>
> Your photos are such a treat. I love the pastel colors in Presov and the
archway in particular. All the photos are wonderful, thank you for posting them.
>
>
>
> --- In Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com, "mccoy4984" <mccoy4984@> wrote:
> >
> > You can see a medieval archway in Presov, T'bilisi at night, and a sight
that will just take your breath away all at:
> >
> > http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/
> >
> > Please feel free to comment as well.
> >
> > Russ
> >
> > PS For the best view, click on each picture to enlarge.
> >
>

<slovakculture.org> has  a Slovak virtual gallery.  This gallery has some works
of art by Slovak painters and also many art-photographs, immortalizing the "way
we were and are."  We should   put up more art and photos on this site.   ***  
So submit your works for possible  addendum (addenda).   ***   This collection
is growing as a repository of images of various  aspects  of SLOVAK  culture,
history, and ethnography:  they're available for use in publications.   ***   
See especially images of our pre-Christian gods and goddesses (by Karol
Ondreicka) and  ethnographic art-photographs (by Igor Grossmann).    ***   See
also Martin Martincek (2 books); Martin Benka (Dobsinsky's illustrator);
Slovak/Madjar Heraldry***   320 color images graphically illustrating  new book
(Illustrated Slovak History);  samples of Adolf  Benka;  12 photos of CERMAC in
space;  and photos "before" and "now."   *** The big hurdle in growing this
Slovak gallery is getting a volunteer to post photo submissions on the site.
Welcome to volunteer to help us with our not-for-profit organization,
Slovak-American International Cultural Foundation, Inc.  (SAICF).  Servus, LACI
"Slovak books and art: our best ambassadors in the World!"   Feel free to
contact me: <lou bolchazy.com)

________________________________________
From: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com [Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
joy2002cjm [joy2002cjm@...]
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 8:36 PM
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Slovak-World] Re: Three More Additions (Pictures) . . .

Your photos are such a treat. I love the pastel colors in Presov and the archway
in particular. All the photos are wonderful, thank you for posting them.



--- In Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com, "mccoy4984" <mccoy4984@...> wrote:
>
> You can see a medieval archway in Presov, T'bilisi at night, and a sight that
will just take your breath away all at:
>
> http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/
>
> Please feel free to comment as well.
>
> Russ
>
> PS For the best view, click on each picture to enlarge.
>




------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links



     http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Just catching up on slovak world.  Michael Strank was from Johnstown, PA, which
is my home town.  He came from the Franklin borough section of the city.  I was
the home of a large steel plant.   From what I understand, his fathers name was
Vasil Strenk, but became Charles Strank when he emigrated.  He was born in
Slovakia and is from the Rusyn area of Slovakia as were my mothers grandparents.
 
Trista

--- On Mon, 1/25/10, Bruce L Bauer <bbauer@...> wrote:


From: Bruce L Bauer <bbauer@...>
Subject: Re: [Slovak-World] WWI Czech/Slovak war veterans
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, January 25, 2010, 5:33 PM


His father
Bruce

Gergely wrote:
> Is this guy's name Vasil Strenk?  Wonder if he's kin to Mike Strank of WWII
> fame?
> Jack Gergely
> Newport News
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bruce L Bauer" <bbauer@...>
> To: <Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 3:45 PM
> Subject: Re: [Slovak-World] WWI Czech/Slovak war veterans
>
>
> The only thing that looks like a organization or whatever is in the
> seal.  I think it is the same thing as the stamp in the upper left.
>
> I have written to Prague with a copy of the certificate and they say
> they have no record.
>
> It is at:
>
>
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/QPhdS-E4FITc-AogJP-hNynyB2BKLdZnEgTwgOS--ND0BHRS_xX\
G920als3yEXuB4bwQVQOWPVAQxLh5u-JqTkbMdmqMex-5/Discharge.jpg
>
> It is in the Slovak-Roots files- if I need to copy it to Slovak-World
> let me know!
>
> Bruce
>
> Plichta wrote:
>   
>> Bruce,
>>
>> Can you scan the document and post it to the Yahoo group pages.
>> Frank
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com] On
>> Behalf Of Gergely
>> Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 1:44 PM
>> To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
>> Subject: Re: [Slovak-World] WWI Czech/Slovak war veterans
>>
>> Bruce,
>> There should be something on the discharge, although in Czech, inferring
>> which
>> political organization issued it.  Have you tried to translate some of the
>> key
>> looking words?
>> Jack Gergely
>> Newport News
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Bruce L Bauer" <bbauer@...>
>> To: <Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com>
>> Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 1:33 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Slovak-World] WWI Czech/Slovak war veterans
>>
>>
>> I thank those that wrote.
>>
>>   Let me add some more confusion err.. facts.  We have his discharge
>> dated 1921 written in Czech and issued in Prague.  We have oral history
>> and a picture that he actually came home in Nov 1918 and oral history
>> that he fought on the English front.  I never thought to ask on which
>> side and the source has passed away.  I have been trying to clear the
>> history up for several years without much luck.  Perhaps I should write
>> to Budapest (where?) or visit as I will be there in July.  Any help
>> comments appreciated
>>
>> Bruce
>>
>> Plichta wrote:
>>
>>     
>>> Jack,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> You are partly right.  The Original statement by Bruce was:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "My wife's grandfather fought in the Czechoslovak army in WWI"
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> There was no Czechoslovak army in WWI because there was not
>>>
>>>       
>> Czechoslovakia.
>>
>>     
>>> Czecho-Slovaks as a people existed earlier however the country of
>>> Czechoslovakia (as the Czechs called it) or Czecho-Slovakia (with a
>>>
>>>       
>> hyphen,
>>
>>     
>>> as the Slovaks called it) did not exist until after WWI.
>>>
>>> The Czechoslovak State came into existence on 28 October 1918, when the
>>> Czech Na'rodni Vy'bor (National Committee) took over the government of the
>>> Czech Lands upon the dissolution of Austria-Hungary.  Two days later the
>>> Slovak National Council manifested its desire to unite politically with
>>>
>>>       
>> the
>>
>>     
>>> Czechs.  On 14 November 1918 the first Czechoslovak National Assembly
>>> declared the Czechoslovak State to be a republic with T. G. Masaryk as
>>> President (1918-1935).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The Treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye (1919) recognized the Czechoslovak
>>> Republic, consisting of the Czech lands (Bohemia, Moravia, part of
>>>
>>>       
>> Silesia)
>>
>>     
>>> and Slovakia.  To these lands were added as a trust the autonomous
>>>
>>>       
>> province
>>
>>     
>>> of Subcarpathian Ruthenia.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Czechoslovakia did not exist in WWI.  I will stand by that statement.  To
>>> say otherwise confuses history.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> You need to consider the nationality of the authors when you cite a
>>> historical reference.  The victors always slant the writing in their
>>>
>>>       
>> favor.
>>
>>     
>>> But when you talk about history, you have to look at it from an impartial
>>> third party point of view.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Frank Plichta
>>>
>>> Galax, VA
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>   _____
>>>
>>> From: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com]
>>>
>>>       
>> On
>>
>>     
>>> Behalf Of Gergely
>>> Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 12:19 PM
>>> To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
>>> Subject: [Slovak-World] WWI Czech/Slovak war veterans
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Frank,
>>>
>>> I beg to differ.
>>>
>>> What about the so called, Czecho-Slovaks who fought their way across
>>>
>>>       
>> Russia
>>
>>     
>>> to during the Bolshevik revolution to get to Vladivostok with the purpose
>>>
>>>       
>> to
>>
>>     
>>> get to France and continue fighting for the Allies?
>>>
>>> Apparently during Lenin's revolution, the Council of People's
>>>
>>>       
>> Commissioners
>>
>>     
>>> in Moscow "demanded the complete disarmament of the Czecho-Slavarmy"
>>>
>>>       
>> (sic).
>>
>>     
>>> They may not have been an official Czechoslovak army, but that's what they
>>> were referred to in 1920 literature. And, they sure kicked ass all across
>>> Russia in their venture.
>>>
>>> I refer to "The Odyssey of the Czecho-Slovaks - The wandering war of the
>>> "Army without a country"", an article by Charles F. Horne in "Great events
>>> of the Great War", National Alumni Press, 1920. A sub author is Vladimir
>>> Nosek. The same article is also included in "Source records of the Great
>>> War", V 940.3 H78 V-6 in the Hampton VA library.
>>>
>>> Also in 1918, Secretary of State Robert Lansing issued an announcement
>>> recognizing the Czecho-Slovaks. I quote "The Czecho-Slovak peoples having
>>> taken up arms against the German and Austro-Hungarian empires, and having
>>> placed in the field organized armies....."
>>>
>>> Jack Gergely
>>> Newport News
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Plichta
>>> To: Slovak-World@ <mailto:Slovak-World%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com
>>> Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 11:42 AM
>>> Subject: RE: [Slovak-World] ]WWI Czech/Slovak war veterans
>>>
>>> Bruce,
>>>
>>> There was no Czechoslovak Army in WWI. Czechoslovakia did not come into
>>> existence until after WWI, after the dissolution of Austria-Hungary on 28
>>> October 1918.
>>>
>>> If your wife's grandfather fought in the Austro-Hungarian Army, then he
>>> fought on the other side against the US and its allies.
>>>
>>> If you want to find about his military career then you will need to know
>>>
>>>       
>> the
>>
>>     
>>> military unit to which he was assigned. More than likely those records are
>>> in Budapest not Prague. I doubt you will find anything online. You will
>>> need to visit the archives in Budapest but there is little to be gotten
>>> there until you know his unit.
>>>
>>> Frank
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Slovak-World@ <mailto:Slovak-World%40yahoogroups.com>
>>>
>>>       
>> yahoogroups.com
>>
>>     
>>> [mailto:Slovak-World@ <mailto:Slovak-World%40yahoogroups.com>
>>> yahoogroups.com] On
>>> Behalf Of Bruce L Bauer
>>> Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 10:28 AM
>>> To: Slovak-World@ <mailto:Slovak-World%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com
>>> Subject: [Slovak-World] ]WWI Czech/Slovak war veterans
>>>
>>> Nick and others
>>> My wife's grandfather fought in the Czechoslovak army in WWI "on the
>>> English front." I have written the office in Prague but they say they
>>> have no records of him. (We have his discharge certificate.) Is there
>>> a site or other information that can provide more information.
>>>
>>> Bruce
>>>
>>> Nick Holcz wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>       
>>>> My father was in the Czechoslovak brigade WW2 I have found a site
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>         
>>> http://webspace.
>>>
>>>
>>>       
>> <http://webspace.webring.com/people/fc/czechandslovakthings/WW2_evacuation.h
>>
>>     
>>> t> webring.com/people/fc/czechandslovakthings/WW2_evacuation.ht
>>> m
>>>
>>>
>>>       
>>>> That lists names and ranks of the brigade members and camps that they
>>>> were in Britain and also where they went in Europe after the invasion.
>>>>
>>>> Nick
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>         
>>> ------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>>
>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>       
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------
>>
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>     
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>   


------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> Michael Strank was from Johnstown, PA

Here's a link to the village in Slovakia where Michael was born (click on
"Jarabina"):

<http://www.pitt.edu/~votruba/qsonhist/celebrities/strankm.html>


> There is an undated stamp from the Cunard line in Prague and
> a American Consulate stamp dated 10 May 1921saying they had
> "seen" some documents and as long as he had a valid passport
> he could come to the US.

That means that he was seen ("examined/inspected") at the U.S. Consulate.  The
stamp was his American visa (based on the Latin video "see"; visum) allowing him
to enter the US.

That's how the modern meaning of the word _visa_, "entry permit for an alien,"
came about in the more distant past.  The would-be traveler was seen at the
receiving country's mission in his home country and given a piece of paper that
confirmed his having been "seen" and enabled him to pass the visiting country's
entry checkpoint.

Here's an account (the last paragraph) from 1842 showing that the word
visum/vise could also refer to a document issued by a consulate to its country's
own subjects in the past:

<http://tinyurl.com/yb6zna4>


Martin

Caye:
> You could take a train or bus as well, but driving is fairly easy,
> let the suicide NASCAR drivers pass you by and you'll be fine.

Ron:
> When asked about driving around Slovakia years ago I stated that
> the Slovak secondary roads are on par with US secondary or country
> roads. I just don't remember too many surprises, though a lot of
> the roads seem as straight as they are in West Virginia.

A European survey has released its latest information on the safety of roads. 
There's been a substantial improvement in Central Europe, the fatalities, for
instance, have gone down by 43 percent in Slovakia from 2002 through 2008.  But
the Slovak roads are still rated as pretty dangerous, worse than in the Czech
R., marginally better than in Poland (no rating of Hungary).

The ratings take account of numerous factors, especially attributes of the roads
themselves.  Here's a map with the rating of the main roads in Slovakia (color
coding: top, black = most dangerous; bottom, greenish = safest):

<http://tinyurl.com/y8r8oxl>

Zoom in by clicking on the + button or increasing the percentage at the top.

And here are the other European countries that have been rated:

<http://tinyurl.com/y8b7sr7>

|
Martin

Hi Martin - this is really interesting -

i had to look a long time to find the short bits of greenish "safest ones" only
found the tunnel in Spis and the superhighway from Bratislava to near Trnava .
An awfully lot of black or "worst" ones.

Does this take into consideration the driving habits? I loved driving there but
the back roads mainly. People had no sense of defensive driving - they
drive too fast and aggressively, come right up behind you and swerve out to
pass and the worst is going up a steep hill with a blind curve at top and 6 cars
trying to pass any laggers and each other.

and then there are the impatient ones who pass on your right side on a 2 lane
road. Our friends there comment "they are hurrying to the cemetery!"

They have reduced the speed limits in villages and other places and likely that
has helped. I was driving when cars first became popular and there were
accidents all the time.

i still love driving there but best is to have my Slovak friends drive me so i
can sit back and enjoy the scenery.

I found all the roads were really good - even way back in the 70s and i love
that they mark the village name as you drive in and again with a cross through
it as you drive out.

Had a wonderful old Skoda 110 L for 19 years and had to give it up as didn't
meet EU catalytic standards - it was tons better than the new cars and could
drive in meadows, through creeks and on mountain sides. Had such great storage -
a huge area in the front of the car (motor in the back) and another large area
behind the back seats plus lots of room under the two front seats. It even had a
moon roof - but no one in my family ever gave it a coat of wax so it looked sort
of tacky but was a great car for not looking touristy.

i am remembering the early years when people took their windshield wipers off
and put them inside the car as people were stealing them - happened to us too.

helene




________________________________
From: votrubam <votrubam@...>
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, February 9, 2010 6:11:27 PM
Subject: [Slovak-World] Driving in Slovakia

 
Caye:
> You could take a train or bus as well, but driving is fairly easy,
> let the suicide NASCAR drivers pass you by and you'll be fine.

Ron:
> When asked about driving around Slovakia years ago I stated that
> the Slovak secondary roads are on par with US secondary or country
> roads. I just don't remember too many surprises, though a lot of
> the roads seem as straight as they are in West Virginia.

A European survey has released its latest information on the safety of roads.
There's been a substantial improvement in Central Europe, the fatalities, for
instance, have gone down by 43 percent in Slovakia from 2002 through 2008. But
the Slovak roads are still rated as pretty dangerous, worse than in the Czech
R., marginally better than in Poland (no rating of Hungary).

The ratings take account of numerous factors, especially attributes of the roads
themselves. Here's a map with the rating of the main roads in Slovakia (color
coding: top, black = most dangerous; bottom, greenish = safest):

<http://tinyurl. com/y8r8oxl>

Zoom in by clicking on the + button or increasing the percentage at the top.

And here are the other European countries that have been rated:

<http://tinyurl. com/y8b7sr7>

|
Martin







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> i had to look a long time to find the short bits of
> greenish "safest ones"

Exactly, Helene, it looks like the Black Death all over.  Who knows whether the
secondary roads might be better.


> Does this take into consideration the driving habits?

No, it's a combination of the fatalities on the given stretch per vehicle per...
etc., and of various attributes of the road, from road signs to shoulders, etc.


> Had a wonderful old Skoda 110 L for 19 years
>
> Had such great storage - a huge area in the front of the
> car (motor in the back)

A joke about them from the olden days.  Two not highly technically minded
friends.  Jozef's Skoda 110 breaks down.  Michal is driving by in his 110,
stops.  Jozef opens the hood, stares at the empty space: "Gee, I lost the
engine."  Michal's not fazed: "I can lend you one, I've noticed there's a spare
engine in my trunk."

|
Martin

Gee, Martin, this certainly does make me think twice about renting a car and
driving in Slovakia  We were planning a trip later this year and my husband
wanted to drive around.
Would you consider driving in this area to be worse that driving around
Washington DC or New York City?  I was in Pittsburgh last weekend, with that
crazy snowfall, and driving then was definitely an adventure.  Perhaps there are
lunatics everywhere?

Thanks for posting this.
Barbara Geisler



--- In Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com, helene cincebeaux <helenezx@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Martin - this is really interesting -
>
> i had to look a long time to find the short bits of greenish "safest ones"
only found the tunnel in Spis and the superhighway from Bratislava to near
Trnava . An awfully lot of black or "worst" ones.
>
> Does this take into consideration the driving habits? I loved driving there
but the back roads mainly. People had no sense of defensive driving - they
drive too fast and aggressively, come right up behind you and swerve out to
pass and the worst is going up a steep hill with a blind curve at top and 6 cars
trying to pass any laggers and each other.
>
> and then there are the impatient ones who pass on your right side on a 2 lane
road. Our friends there comment "they are hurrying to the cemetery!"
>
> They have reduced the speed limits in villages and other places and likely
that has helped. I was driving when cars first became popular and there were
accidents all the time.
>
> i still love driving there but best is to have my Slovak friends drive me so i
can sit back and enjoy the scenery.
>
> I found all the roads were really good - even way back in the 70s and i love
that they mark the village name as you drive in and again with a cross through
it as you drive out.
>
> Had a wonderful old Skoda 110 L for 19 years and had to give it up as didn't
meet EU catalytic standards - it was tons better than the new cars and could
drive in meadows, through creeks and on mountain sides. Had such great storage -
a huge area in the front of the car (motor in the back) and another large area
behind the back seats plus lots of room under the two front seats. It even had a
moon roof - but no one in my family ever gave it a coat of wax so it looked sort
of tacky but was a great car for not looking touristy.
>
> i am remembering the early years when people took their windshield wipers off
and put them inside the car as people were stealing them - happened to us too.
>
> helene
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: votrubam <votrubam@...>
> To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tue, February 9, 2010 6:11:27 PM
> Subject: [Slovak-World] Driving in Slovakia
>
>  
> Caye:
> > You could take a train or bus as well, but driving is fairly easy,
> > let the suicide NASCAR drivers pass you by and you'll be fine.
>
> Ron:
> > When asked about driving around Slovakia years ago I stated that
> > the Slovak secondary roads are on par with US secondary or country
> > roads. I just don't remember too many surprises, though a lot of
> > the roads seem as straight as they are in West Virginia.
>
> A European survey has released its latest information on the safety of roads.
There's been a substantial improvement in Central Europe, the fatalities, for
instance, have gone down by 43 percent in Slovakia from 2002 through 2008. But
the Slovak roads are still rated as pretty dangerous, worse than in the Czech
R., marginally better than in Poland (no rating of Hungary).
>
> The ratings take account of numerous factors, especially attributes of the
roads themselves. Here's a map with the rating of the main roads in Slovakia
(color coding: top, black = most dangerous; bottom, greenish = safest):
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8r8oxl>
>
> Zoom in by clicking on the + button or increasing the percentage at the top.
>
> And here are the other European countries that have been rated:
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8b7sr7>
>
> |
> Martin
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

 
 
G'head and rent that car and let him drive -- the highways operate pretty much
as ours -- the "country roads" however, are more 'every man for himself' when it
comes to passing you -- just stay the course and let them pass -- it'll scare
you that they have that much gall, but let them, nothing you can do to stop them
anyhow.
 
Another hint/tip, look at your map BEFORE your exit -- look for the next largest
"town" that the highway you want leads to -- and watch for that name on the sign
-- if you look for the route number, they won't show it -- so be prepared BEFORE
you get to the spot where you think you need to exit to another route.
 
Probably best if the passenger navigates and reads the map -- and instructs the
driver where to turn -- letting him watch the road and other vehicles. 
Navigator can also be the DJ and juggle the radio and CD's.
 
Don't try to rent an automatic or expect AC -- you likely won't get it even if
you book it -- so get good at stick shifting now.
 
 
Caye


--- On Wed, 2/10/10, genmom4 <geismom@...> wrote:


From: genmom4 <geismom@...>
Subject: [Slovak-World] Re: Driving in Slovakia
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 8:13 AM


 




Gee, Martin, this certainly does make me think twice about renting a car and
driving in Slovakia We were planning a trip later this year and my husband
wanted to drive around.
Would you consider driving in this area to be worse that driving around
Washington DC or New York City? I was in Pittsburgh last weekend, with that
crazy snowfall, and driving then was definitely an adventure. Perhaps there are
lunatics everywhere?

Thanks for posting this.
Barbara Geisler

--- In Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com, helene cincebeaux <helenezx@.. .> wrote:
>
> Hi Martin - this is really interesting -
>
> i had to look a long time to find the short bits of greenish "safest ones"
only found the tunnel in Spis and the superhighway from Bratislava to near
Trnava . An awfully lot of black or "worst" ones.
>
> Does this take into consideration the driving habits? I loved driving there
but the back roads mainly. People had no sense of defensive driving - they
drive too fast and aggressively, come right up behind you and swerve out to
pass and the worst is going up a steep hill with a blind curve at top and 6 cars
trying to pass any laggers and each other.
>
> and then there are the impatient ones who pass on your right side on a 2
lane road. Our friends there comment "they are hurrying to the cemetery!"
>
> They have reduced the speed limits in villages and other places and likely
that has helped. I was driving when cars first became popular and there were
accidents all the time.
>
> i still love driving there but best is to have my Slovak friends drive me so i
can sit back and enjoy the scenery.
>
> I found all the roads were really good - even way back in the 70s and i love
that they mark the village name as you drive in and again with a cross through
it as you drive out.
>
> Had a wonderful old Skoda 110 L for 19 years and had to give it up as didn't
meet EU catalytic standards - it was tons better than the new cars and could
drive in meadows, through creeks and on mountain sides. Had such great storage -
a huge area in the front of the car (motor in the back) and another large area
behind the back seats plus lots of room under the two front seats. It even had a
moon roof - but no one in my family ever gave it a coat of wax so it looked sort
of tacky but was a great car for not looking touristy.
>
> i am remembering the early years when people took their windshield wipers off
and put them inside the car as people were stealing them - happened to us too.
>
> helene
>
>
>
>
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: votrubam <votrubam@.. .>
> To: Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com
> Sent: Tue, February 9, 2010 6:11:27 PM
> Subject: [Slovak-World] Driving in Slovakia
>
>  
> Caye:
> > You could take a train or bus as well, but driving is fairly easy,
> > let the suicide NASCAR drivers pass you by and you'll be fine.
>
> Ron:
> > When asked about driving around Slovakia years ago I stated that
> > the Slovak secondary roads are on par with US secondary or country
> > roads. I just don't remember too many surprises, though a lot of
> > the roads seem as straight as they are in West Virginia.
>
> A European survey has released its latest information on the safety of roads.
There's been a substantial improvement in Central Europe, the fatalities, for
instance, have gone down by 43 percent in Slovakia from 2002 through 2008. But
the Slovak roads are still rated as pretty dangerous, worse than in the Czech
R., marginally better than in Poland (no rating of Hungary).
>
> The ratings take account of numerous factors, especially attributes of the
roads themselves. Here's a map with the rating of the main roads in Slovakia
(color coding: top, black = most dangerous; bottom, greenish = safest):
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8r8oxl>
>
> Zoom in by clicking on the + button or increasing the percentage at the top.
>
> And here are the other European countries that have been rated:
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8b7sr7>
>
> |
> Martin
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>











[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> consider driving in this area to be worse that driving
> around Washington DC

Not much, but it is more "intense" in Slovakia (and Bavaria, for instance, by
contrast to, say, Budapest and Vienna and, yes, Los Angeles).  The attitude is
"we all want to get there as fast as possible, take off fast on green, squeeze
through a tight spot fast, know where you're going all the time, know all the
rules that apply at any point and apply them fast (which sometimes seems like
not applying them to the uninitiated), turn fast... and if you're too spaced-out
for that, get out of the way."  And they will let you know, honking, tailgating.
But, as others have said, if a driver wants to drive on the safe side, so to
say, keep to the right and put some wax in your ears; many enjoyed telling their
driving tales on SK-W.

There's some "cross-cultural" misunderstanding about the traffic rules too. 
People understand, even hope that there will be different food, folk music, in
foreign countries, but fantasize that the traffic rules must be the same.  See
here for a major example:

<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Slovak-World/message/20077>

|
Martin

I have visited Slovakia six times since 2001 and have driven on at least
three of those trips.  I found that, if one drives defensively, i. e.,
follows  normal driving practices, there is no problem driving in
Slovakia.  Granted that native drivers drive at times, unreasonably, one
can drive safely with no difficulty.  Above all else, do not emulate
Slovak drivers.

Bill Brna

On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:13:17 -0000 "genmom4" <geismom@...>
writes:


Gee, Martin, this certainly does make me think twice about renting a car
and driving in Slovakia We were planning a trip later this year and my
husband wanted to drive around.
Would you consider driving in this area to be worse that driving around
Washington DC or New York City? I was in Pittsburgh last weekend, with
that crazy snowfall, and driving then was definitely an adventure.
Perhaps there are lunatics everywhere?

Thanks for posting this.
Barbara Geisler

--- In Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com, helene cincebeaux <helenezx@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Martin - this is really interesting -
>
> i had to look a long time to find the short bits of greenish "safest
ones" only found the tunnel in Spis and the superhighway from Bratislava
to near Trnava . An awfully lot of black or "worst" ones.
>
> Does this take into consideration the driving habits? I loved driving
there but the back roads mainly. People had no sense of defensive driving
- they drive too fast and aggressively, come right up behind you and
swerve out to pass and the worst is going up a steep hill with a blind
curve at top and 6 cars trying to pass any laggers and each other.
>
> and then there are the impatient ones who pass on your right side on a
2 lane road. Our friends there comment "they are hurrying to the
cemetery!"
>
> They have reduced the speed limits in villages and other places and
likely that has helped. I was driving when cars first became popular and
there were accidents all the time.
>
> i still love driving there but best is to have my Slovak friends drive
me so i can sit back and enjoy the scenery.
>
> I found all the roads were really good - even way back in the 70s and i
love that they mark the village name as you drive in and again with a
cross through it as you drive out.
>
> Had a wonderful old Skoda 110 L for 19 years and had to give it up as
didn't meet EU catalytic standards - it was tons better than the new cars
and could drive in meadows, through creeks and on mountain sides. Had
such great storage - a huge area in the front of the car (motor in the
back) and another large area behind the back seats plus lots of room
under the two front seats. It even had a moon roof - but no one in my
family ever gave it a coat of wax so it looked sort of tacky but was a
great car for not looking touristy.
>
> i am remembering the early years when people took their windshield
wipers off and put them inside the car as people were stealing them -
happened to us too.
>
> helene
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: votrubam <votrubam@...>
> To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tue, February 9, 2010 6:11:27 PM
> Subject: [Slovak-World] Driving in Slovakia
>
> Â
> Caye:
> > You could take a train or bus as well, but driving is fairly easy,
> > let the suicide NASCAR drivers pass you by and you'll be fine.
>
> Ron:
> > When asked about driving around Slovakia years ago I stated that
> > the Slovak secondary roads are on par with US secondary or country
> > roads. I just don't remember too many surprises, though a lot of
> > the roads seem as straight as they are in West Virginia.
>
> A European survey has released its latest information on the safety of
roads. There's been a substantial improvement in Central Europe, the
fatalities, for instance, have gone down by 43 percent in Slovakia from
2002 through 2008. But the Slovak roads are still rated as pretty
dangerous, worse than in the Czech R., marginally better than in Poland
(no rating of Hungary).
>
> The ratings take account of numerous factors, especially attributes of
the roads themselves. Here's a map with the rating of the main roads in
Slovakia (color coding: top, black = most dangerous; bottom, greenish =
safest):
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8r8oxl>
>
> Zoom in by clicking on the + button or increasing the percentage at the
top.
>
> And here are the other European countries that have been rated:
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8b7sr7>
>
> |
> Martin
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>



____________________________________________________________
Nutrition
Improve your career health. Click now to study nutrition!
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=xwW_I2rV341_jkuDoBn2IAAAJ1D4BwlR4f\
tpi7iFil_CpFskAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASQwAAAAA=

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Take off as fast as possible on the yellow. The light turns yellow before green.

S
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: votrubam
   To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 10:51 AM
   Subject: [Slovak-World] Driving in Slovakia



   > consider driving in this area to be worse that driving
   > around Washington DC

   Not much, but it is more "intense" in Slovakia (and Bavaria, for instance, by
contrast to, say, Budapest and Vienna and, yes, Los Angeles). The attitude is
"we all want to get there as fast as possible, take off fast on green, squeeze
through a tight spot fast, know where you're going all the time, know all the
rules that apply at any point and apply them fast (which sometimes seems like
not applying them to the uninitiated), turn fast... and if you're too spaced-out
for that, get out of the way." And they will let you know, honking, tailgating.
But, as others have said, if a driver wants to drive on the safe side, so to
say, keep to the right and put some wax in your ears; many enjoyed telling their
driving tales on SK-W.

   There's some "cross-cultural" misunderstanding about the traffic rules too.
People understand, even hope that there will be different food, folk music, in
foreign countries, but fantasize that the traffic rules must be the same. See
here for a major example:

   <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Slovak-World/message/20077>

   |
   Martin





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

A good and timely discussion as I am planning to visit Slovakia again in August,
this time with my sisters. We have talked about renting a car to do the drive
between Kosice and Levoca onto  Zilina area maybe even into Bratislava. So, if
anyone has any recommendations for this leg of the trip...I would appreciate it.

Also, loved the comments about expecting differences in dialects, folk arts,
music, food, etc...but "fantasizing" about sameness in driving habits.

Jenna




________________________________
From: William F Brna <wfbrna@...>
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 10:54:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Slovak-World] Re: Driving in Slovakia

 
I have visited Slovakia six times since 2001 and have driven on at least
three of those trips. I found that, if one drives defensively, i. e.,
follows normal driving practices, there is no problem driving in
Slovakia. Granted that native drivers drive at times, unreasonably, one
can drive safely with no difficulty. Above all else, do not emulate
Slovak drivers.

Bill Brna

On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:13:17 -0000 "genmom4" <geismom@comcast. net>
writes:


Gee, Martin, this certainly does make me think twice about renting a car
and driving in Slovakia We were planning a trip later this year and my
husband wanted to drive around.
Would you consider driving in this area to be worse that driving around
Washington DC or New York City? I was in Pittsburgh last weekend, with
that crazy snowfall, and driving then was definitely an adventure.
Perhaps there are lunatics everywhere?

Thanks for posting this.
Barbara Geisler

--- In Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com, helene cincebeaux <helenezx@.. .>
wrote:
>
> Hi Martin - this is really interesting -
>
> i had to look a long time to find the short bits of greenish "safest
ones" only found the tunnel in Spis and the superhighway from Bratislava
to near Trnava . An awfully lot of black or "worst" ones.
>
> Does this take into consideration the driving habits? I loved driving
there but the back roads mainly. People had no sense of defensive driving
- they drive too fast and aggressively, come right up behind you and
swerve out to pass and the worst is going up a steep hill with a blind
curve at top and 6 cars trying to pass any laggers and each other.
>
> and then there are the impatient ones who pass on your right side on a
2 lane road. Our friends there comment "they are hurrying to the
cemetery!"
>
> They have reduced the speed limits in villages and other places and
likely that has helped. I was driving when cars first became popular and
there were accidents all the time.
>
> i still love driving there but best is to have my Slovak friends drive
me so i can sit back and enjoy the scenery.
>
> I found all the roads were really good - even way back in the 70s and i
love that they mark the village name as you drive in and again with a
cross through it as you drive out.
>
> Had a wonderful old Skoda 110 L for 19 years and had to give it up as
didn't meet EU catalytic standards - it was tons better than the new cars
and could drive in meadows, through creeks and on mountain sides. Had
such great storage - a huge area in the front of the car (motor in the
back) and another large area behind the back seats plus lots of room
under the two front seats. It even had a moon roof - but no one in my
family ever gave it a coat of wax so it looked sort of tacky but was a
great car for not looking touristy.
>
> i am remembering the early years when people took their windshield
wipers off and put them inside the car as people were stealing them -
happened to us too.
>
> helene
>
>
>
>
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: votrubam <votrubam@.. .>
> To: Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com
> Sent: Tue, February 9, 2010 6:11:27 PM
> Subject: [Slovak-World] Driving in Slovakia
>
> Â
> Caye:
> > You could take a train or bus as well, but driving is fairly easy,
> > let the suicide NASCAR drivers pass you by and you'll be fine.
>
> Ron:
> > When asked about driving around Slovakia years ago I stated that
> > the Slovak secondary roads are on par with US secondary or country
> > roads. I just don't remember too many surprises, though a lot of
> > the roads seem as straight as they are in West Virginia.
>
> A European survey has released its latest information on the safety of
roads. There's been a substantial improvement in Central Europe, the
fatalities, for instance, have gone down by 43 percent in Slovakia from
2002 through 2008. But the Slovak roads are still rated as pretty
dangerous, worse than in the Czech R., marginally better than in Poland
(no rating of Hungary).
>
> The ratings take account of numerous factors, especially attributes of
the roads themselves. Here's a map with the rating of the main roads in
Slovakia (color coding: top, black = most dangerous; bottom, greenish =
safest):
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8r8oxl>
>
> Zoom in by clicking on the + button or increasing the percentage at the
top.
>
> And here are the other European countries that have been rated:
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8b7sr7>
>
> |
> Martin
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
Nutrition
Improve your career health. Click now to study nutrition!
http://thirdpartyof fers.juno. com/TGL2141/ c?cp=xwW_ I2rV341_jkuDoBn2
IAAAJ1D4BwlR4ftp i7iFil_CpFskAAYA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AADNAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAASQwAAAAA=

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

hi Jenna - note that it can cost a good bit more to return a car to a different
city - so be aware of this and find out, also ask about VAT tax sometimes not
mentioned and a substantial amount. Trains and buses are quite inexpensive so
maybe you could return the car and get back to original place.

helene




________________________________
From: jenna-m <broni03@...>
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 11:09:48 AM
Subject: Re: [Slovak-World] Re: Driving in Slovakia

 
A good and timely discussion as I am planning to visit Slovakia again in August,
this time with my sisters. We have talked about renting a car to do the drive
between Kosice and Levoca onto  Zilina area maybe even into Bratislava. So, if
anyone has any recommendations for this leg of the trip...I would appreciate it.

Also, loved the comments about expecting differences in dialects, folk arts,
music, food, etc...but "fantasizing" about sameness in driving habits.

Jenna

____________ _________ _________ __
From: William F Brna <wfbrna@juno. com>
To: Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 10:54:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Slovak-World] Re: Driving in Slovakia

 
I have visited Slovakia six times since 2001 and have driven on at least
three of those trips. I found that, if one drives defensively, i. e.,
follows normal driving practices, there is no problem driving in
Slovakia. Granted that native drivers drive at times, unreasonably, one
can drive safely with no difficulty. Above all else, do not emulate
Slovak drivers.

Bill Brna

On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:13:17 -0000 "genmom4" <geismom@comcast. net>
writes:

Gee, Martin, this certainly does make me think twice about renting a car
and driving in Slovakia We were planning a trip later this year and my
husband wanted to drive around.
Would you consider driving in this area to be worse that driving around
Washington DC or New York City? I was in Pittsburgh last weekend, with
that crazy snowfall, and driving then was definitely an adventure.
Perhaps there are lunatics everywhere?

Thanks for posting this.
Barbara Geisler

--- In Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com, helene cincebeaux <helenezx@.. .>
wrote:
>
> Hi Martin - this is really interesting -
>
> i had to look a long time to find the short bits of greenish "safest
ones" only found the tunnel in Spis and the superhighway from Bratislava
to near Trnava . An awfully lot of black or "worst" ones.
>
> Does this take into consideration the driving habits? I loved driving
there but the back roads mainly. People had no sense of defensive driving
- they drive too fast and aggressively, come right up behind you and
swerve out to pass and the worst is going up a steep hill with a blind
curve at top and 6 cars trying to pass any laggers and each other.
>
> and then there are the impatient ones who pass on your right side on a
2 lane road. Our friends there comment "they are hurrying to the
cemetery!"
>
> They have reduced the speed limits in villages and other places and
likely that has helped. I was driving when cars first became popular and
there were accidents all the time.
>
> i still love driving there but best is to have my Slovak friends drive
me so i can sit back and enjoy the scenery.
>
> I found all the roads were really good - even way back in the 70s and i
love that they mark the village name as you drive in and again with a
cross through it as you drive out.
>
> Had a wonderful old Skoda 110 L for 19 years and had to give it up as
didn't meet EU catalytic standards - it was tons better than the new cars
and could drive in meadows, through creeks and on mountain sides. Had
such great storage - a huge area in the front of the car (motor in the
back) and another large area behind the back seats plus lots of room
under the two front seats. It even had a moon roof - but no one in my
family ever gave it a coat of wax so it looked sort of tacky but was a
great car for not looking touristy.
>
> i am remembering the early years when people took their windshield
wipers off and put them inside the car as people were stealing them -
happened to us too.
>
> helene
>
>
>
>
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: votrubam <votrubam@.. .>
> To: Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com
> Sent: Tue, February 9, 2010 6:11:27 PM
> Subject: [Slovak-World] Driving in Slovakia
>
> Â
> Caye:
> > You could take a train or bus as well, but driving is fairly easy,
> > let the suicide NASCAR drivers pass you by and you'll be fine.
>
> Ron:
> > When asked about driving around Slovakia years ago I stated that
> > the Slovak secondary roads are on par with US secondary or country
> > roads. I just don't remember too many surprises, though a lot of
> > the roads seem as straight as they are in West Virginia.
>
> A European survey has released its latest information on the safety of
roads. There's been a substantial improvement in Central Europe, the
fatalities, for instance, have gone down by 43 percent in Slovakia from
2002 through 2008. But the Slovak roads are still rated as pretty
dangerous, worse than in the Czech R., marginally better than in Poland
(no rating of Hungary).
>
> The ratings take account of numerous factors, especially attributes of
the roads themselves. Here's a map with the rating of the main roads in
Slovakia (color coding: top, black = most dangerous; bottom, greenish =
safest):
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8r8oxl>
>
> Zoom in by clicking on the + button or increasing the percentage at the
top.
>
> And here are the other European countries that have been rated:
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8b7sr7>
>
> |
> Martin
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
Nutrition
Improve your career health. Click now to study nutrition!
http://thirdpartyof fers.juno. com/TGL2141/ c?cp=xwW_ I2rV341_jkuDoBn2
IAAAJ1D4BwlR4ftp i7iFil_CpFskAAYA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AADNAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAASQwAAAAA=

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Helene,
Most of the trip we will do trains and busses, but we thought renting a car we'd
get to see some things off the beaten path...and maybe even get to go someplace
specific enroute. But thanks for the tip on costing extra to drop off in a city
different from pick up.Will pay particular attention to that.
Jenna




________________________________
From: helene cincebeaux <helenezx@...>
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 11:51:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Slovak-World] Re: Driving in Slovakia

 
hi Jenna - note that it can cost a good bit more to return a car to a different
city - so be aware of this and find out, also ask about VAT tax sometimes not
mentioned and a substantial amount. Trains and buses are quite inexpensive so
maybe you could return the car and get back to original place.

helene

____________ _________ _________ __
From: jenna-m <broni03@yahoo. com>
To: Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 11:09:48 AM
Subject: Re: [Slovak-World] Re: Driving in Slovakia

 
A good and timely discussion as I am planning to visit Slovakia again in August,
this time with my sisters. We have talked about renting a car to do the drive
between Kosice and Levoca onto  Zilina area maybe even into Bratislava. So, if
anyone has any recommendations for this leg of the trip...I would appreciate it.

Also, loved the comments about expecting differences in dialects, folk arts,
music, food, etc...but "fantasizing" about sameness in driving habits.

Jenna

____________ _________ _________ __
From: William F Brna <wfbrna@juno. com>
To: Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 10:54:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Slovak-World] Re: Driving in Slovakia

 
I have visited Slovakia six times since 2001 and have driven on at least
three of those trips. I found that, if one drives defensively, i. e.,
follows normal driving practices, there is no problem driving in
Slovakia. Granted that native drivers drive at times, unreasonably, one
can drive safely with no difficulty. Above all else, do not emulate
Slovak drivers.

Bill Brna

On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:13:17 -0000 "genmom4" <geismom@comcast. net>
writes:

Gee, Martin, this certainly does make me think twice about renting a car
and driving in Slovakia We were planning a trip later this year and my
husband wanted to drive around.
Would you consider driving in this area to be worse that driving around
Washington DC or New York City? I was in Pittsburgh last weekend, with
that crazy snowfall, and driving then was definitely an adventure.
Perhaps there are lunatics everywhere?

Thanks for posting this.
Barbara Geisler

--- In Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com, helene cincebeaux <helenezx@.. .>
wrote:
>
> Hi Martin - this is really interesting -
>
> i had to look a long time to find the short bits of greenish "safest
ones" only found the tunnel in Spis and the superhighway from Bratislava
to near Trnava . An awfully lot of black or "worst" ones.
>
> Does this take into consideration the driving habits? I loved driving
there but the back roads mainly. People had no sense of defensive driving
- they drive too fast and aggressively, come right up behind you and
swerve out to pass and the worst is going up a steep hill with a blind
curve at top and 6 cars trying to pass any laggers and each other.
>
> and then there are the impatient ones who pass on your right side on a
2 lane road. Our friends there comment "they are hurrying to the
cemetery!"
>
> They have reduced the speed limits in villages and other places and
likely that has helped. I was driving when cars first became popular and
there were accidents all the time.
>
> i still love driving there but best is to have my Slovak friends drive
me so i can sit back and enjoy the scenery.
>
> I found all the roads were really good - even way back in the 70s and i
love that they mark the village name as you drive in and again with a
cross through it as you drive out.
>
> Had a wonderful old Skoda 110 L for 19 years and had to give it up as
didn't meet EU catalytic standards - it was tons better than the new cars
and could drive in meadows, through creeks and on mountain sides. Had
such great storage - a huge area in the front of the car (motor in the
back) and another large area behind the back seats plus lots of room
under the two front seats. It even had a moon roof - but no one in my
family ever gave it a coat of wax so it looked sort of tacky but was a
great car for not looking touristy.
>
> i am remembering the early years when people took their windshield
wipers off and put them inside the car as people were stealing them -
happened to us too.
>
> helene
>
>
>
>
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: votrubam <votrubam@.. .>
> To: Slovak-World@ yahoogroups. com
> Sent: Tue, February 9, 2010 6:11:27 PM
> Subject: [Slovak-World] Driving in Slovakia
>
> Â
> Caye:
> > You could take a train or bus as well, but driving is fairly easy,
> > let the suicide NASCAR drivers pass you by and you'll be fine.
>
> Ron:
> > When asked about driving around Slovakia years ago I stated that
> > the Slovak secondary roads are on par with US secondary or country
> > roads. I just don't remember too many surprises, though a lot of
> > the roads seem as straight as they are in West Virginia.
>
> A European survey has released its latest information on the safety of
roads. There's been a substantial improvement in Central Europe, the
fatalities, for instance, have gone down by 43 percent in Slovakia from
2002 through 2008. But the Slovak roads are still rated as pretty
dangerous, worse than in the Czech R., marginally better than in Poland
(no rating of Hungary).
>
> The ratings take account of numerous factors, especially attributes of
the roads themselves. Here's a map with the rating of the main roads in
Slovakia (color coding: top, black = most dangerous; bottom, greenish =
safest):
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8r8oxl>
>
> Zoom in by clicking on the + button or increasing the percentage at the
top.
>
> And here are the other European countries that have been rated:
>
> <http://tinyurl. com/y8b7sr7>
>
> |
> Martin
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Barbara,

Don't hesitate to rent a car and drive.  Others have given you excellent advice,
although I disagree with Bill when he says don't drive like the natives.  I
sometimes do, and it is FUN!

I won't repeat my earlier driving stories, but my best advice is to drive alert
at all times. In America we can half sleep and drive.  You cannot do that in
Europe.   Pay attention, stay in your lane, use your turn signal, and expect
more actual practice of "right before left" (I may have that last one confused
with the stringent practice of right before left in Germany).

Ron

>
> On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:13:17 -0000 "genmom4" <geismom@comcast. net>
> writes:
>
> Gee, Martin, this certainly does make me think twice about renting a car > and
driving in Slovakia We were planning a trip later this year and my > husband
wanted to drive around.
> Would you consider driving in this area to be worse that driving around >
Washington DC or New York City? I was in Pittsburgh last weekend, with > that
crazy snowfall, and driving then was definitely an adventure.
> Perhaps there are lunatics everywhere?
>
> Thanks for posting this.
> Barbara Geisler
>

Martin,

I have friends, In the Zahorie region, who have purchased, automatic drive cars
because driving is so bad in the cities, especially in Bratislava and shifting
so often is a problem.

Vilo




________________________________
From: votrubam <votrubam@...>
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 10:51:32 AM
Subject: [Slovak-World] Driving in Slovakia


> consider driving in this area to be worse that driving
> around Washington DC

Not much, but it is more "intense" in Slovakia (and Bavaria, for instance, by
contrast to, say, Budapest and Vienna and, yes, Los Angeles).  The attitude is
"we all want to get there as fast as possible, take off fast on green, squeeze
through a tight spot fast, know where you're going all the time, know all the
rules that apply at any point and apply them fast (which sometimes seems like
not applying them to the uninitiated) , turn fast... and if you're too
spaced-out for that, get out of the way."  And they will let you know, honking,
tailgating.  But, as others have said, if a driver wants to drive on the safe
side, so to say, keep to the right and put some wax in your ears; many enjoyed
telling their driving tales on SK-W.

There's some "cross-cultural" misunderstanding about the traffic rules too. 
People understand, even hope that there will be different food, folk music, in
foreign countries, but fantasize that the traffic rules must be the same.  See
here for a major example:

<http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/Slovak- World/message/ 20077>

|
Martin







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> expect more actual practice of "right before left"

Very important, as Ron says.  There are no 4-way stops in Europe, the above
applies at any intersection with no traffic signs, no matter how insignificant
the "other" street/road may appear -- even at an unmarked T-junction where
you're driving straight ahead and a street joins in from the right: they go
first.

On the whole, however, unmarked intersections are rather rare in places with any
traffic volume.  The yield sign is the same as in the US, but the main road will
also always have a yellow diamond sign.  You're being told that you're driving
on the main road here, you go first at that intersection:

<http://tinyurl.com/y8kswt3>

And the crossed-out yellow diamond tells you here that your road ceases being
the main one at this point:

<http://tinyurl.com/ylfulwy>

It is crucial to keep in mind that all traffic signs, including speed limits,
etc., stop applying at each intersection, no matter how insignificant.  They
must be posted over and over again after each intersection if the same
regulations are to apply past it, otherwise the "default" rules begin to apply.

And we're in the Old World, so things may begin to turn out curiouser and
curiouser.  If you see the situation below, do you stop and let a car coming
from the right go first (as the stop sign says), or do you go first (as the
"you're-on-the-main-road" sign says):

<http://tinyurl.com/ydyb8l2>

Although "curiouser," we're not in Wonderland with Alice, and the above is not
an error, there's a rule for that too.  Any guesses?

|
Martin

I'll bite... and stop for safety & then go.  But that is a best guess, not
knowing the rule.

On a minor potentially confusing point, the weight limits on the bridges look a
lot like the speed limit signs, so if you go over a country bridge and see "30t"
it is a 30 ton limit and not 30 kmh.


> And we're in the Old World, so things may begin to turn out curiouser and
curiouser.  If you see the situation below, do you stop and let a car coming
from the right go first (as the stop sign says), or do you go first (as the
"you're-on-the-main-road" sign says):
>
> <http://tinyurl.com/ydyb8l2>
>
> Although "curiouser," we're not in Wonderland with Alice, and the above is not
an error, there's a rule for that too.  Any guesses?
>
> |
> Martin
>

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "e gernat" <e.gernat@...>
To: sloval-world@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:39:13 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Fwd: renting a car in Slovakia



----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "e gernat" <e.gernat@...>
To: slovak-worls@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:36:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: renting a car in Slovakia




 In 2008 we rented a car for three weeks thru Advantage Rent a Car. They
brought it to the spa in Piestany and we dropped it at the airport at the end of
our wonderful trip. They were there to take it and we paid with Master card.

We had no restrictions for miles and we took it to Poland no stopping for
passports.

A good map bought in Slovakia  at a gas station is all you need
.Good Luck  Edie

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> stop for safety & then go.

And be the guilty party when someone rams your car from behind, because you're
on the main road and, therefore, not supposed or allowed to stop too close to an
intersection?  Not necessarily the answer, just a comment to accent the
ambiguity.  Equally, the driver who doesn't stop might be the guilty party if a
car coming from the right hits him, because he didn't respect the stop sign.

<http://tinyurl.com/ydyb8l2>

I'll let it hang in there for a little longer in case anyone else wants to
practice for Euro-shock and cross-cultural driving situations. Two hints.

--- 1) The angle of the picture makes it truly difficult to see how to apply the
overriding rule.  It might be easier (although not necessarily so given the mere
seconds the driver has to figure things out here) for a driver actually
approaching the intersection, because s/he'd have stereoscopic vision.  But
we've got the time to inspect the pic very, very closely and ponder.

--- 2) Another part of it is cross-cultural expectations, the second hint is:
there's a (procedural) reason (not just the non-existence of the diamond traffic
sign) why a driver would be unlikely to see this in the US.

|
Martin

One thing that still makes me smile - they indicate a turn ahead that you think
will take you where you want to go to - so you make it and end up in a train
yard. The system of marking what is coming up is just different - sometimes its
close and sometimes really far - we did  a lot of asking and backing up.

I do love that village names are easily seen when entering or leaving a
village. What is hard is the main road across the top of Slovakia - really no
alternative and it is pretty slow going - supposedly it is the main road across
the country but essentially good chuncks of it is just a two lane road.

But the bits of superhighway keep growing - and they were talking about a high
speed 3 hour train bratislava to kosice - don't know what transpired on this

helene


 

________________________________
From: votrubam <votrubam@...>
To: Slovak-World@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 1:57:34 PM
Subject: [Slovak-World] Driving in Slovakia - a road sign test?

 
> expect more actual practice of "right before left"

Very important, as Ron says. There are no 4-way stops in Europe, the above
applies at any intersection with no traffic signs, no matter how insignificant
the "other" street/road may appear -- even at an unmarked T-junction where
you're driving straight ahead and a street joins in from the right: they go
first.

On the whole, however, unmarked intersections are rather rare in places with any
traffic volume. The yield sign is the same as in the US, but the main road will
also always have a yellow diamond sign. You're being told that you're driving on
the main road here, you go first at that intersection:

<http://tinyurl. com/y8kswt3>

And the crossed-out yellow diamond tells you here that your road ceases being
the main one at this point:

<http://tinyurl. com/ylfulwy>

It is crucial to keep in mind that all traffic signs, including speed limits,
etc., stop applying at each intersection, no matter how insignificant. They must
be posted over and over again after each intersection if the same regulations
are to apply past it, otherwise the "default" rules begin to apply.

And we're in the Old World, so things may begin to turn out curiouser and
curiouser. If you see the situation below, do you stop and let a car coming from
the right go first (as the stop sign says), or do you go first (as the
"you're-on-the- main-road" sign says):

<http://tinyurl. com/ydyb8l2>

Although "curiouser," we're not in Wonderland with Alice, and the above is not
an error, there's a rule for that too. Any guesses?

|
Martin







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> I do love that village names are easily seen when entering
> or leaving a village.

Yes, Helene.  People don't sometimes realize that they are actual traffic signs.
They indicate the beginning and end of the urban speed limit:

<http://tinyurl.com/yg5r9r4>

The villages above border on each other, where Kechnec (Kenyhec) ends, Milhost
(Miglec) begins, so the speed limit stays the same.  If the Milhost (Miglec)
sign were on its own, the speed limit of 50 km/h would start past it.

On a separate note, these specific signs reflect the ethnic diversity of parts
of Slovakia.  If 20 or more percent inhabitants of a village are non-Slovak
ethnics, the village posts its name also in the other language (Hungarian in
this instance) on a blue-colored sign.

This combination:

<http://tinyurl.com/yzvjtnw>

... means that the maximum speed in the village of Benus is only 40 km/h, not
the standard "urban 50" (which would be indicated merely by the white, square
sign with the name of the village and no additional traffic sign).

|
Martin

Is there any way of renting a car in Slovakia without a credit card???

--- On Wed, 2/10/10, e.gernat@... <e.gernat@...> wrote:


From: e.gernat@... <e.gernat@...>
Subject: [Slovak-World] Fwd: renting a car in Slovakia
To: slovak-world@yahoogroups.com
Received: Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 9:41 PM


 




----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "e gernat" <e.gernat@comcast. net>
To: sloval-world@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:39:13 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Fwd: renting a car in Slovakia

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "e gernat" <e.gernat@comcast. net>
To: slovak-worls@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:36:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: renting a car in Slovakia

 In 2008 we rented a car for three weeks thru Advantage Rent a Car. They
brought it to the spa in Piestany and we dropped it at the airport at the end of
our wonderful trip. They were there to take it and we paid with Master card.

We had no restrictions for miles and we took it to Poland no stopping for
passports.

A good map bought in Slovakia  at a gas station is all you need
.Good Luck  Edie

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]









       __________________________________________________________________
Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

You can rent a car in Slovakia here in the US when you make your travel
arrangements.  The car will be available when you arrive, either at the
airport (if going to Bratislava) or at a local hotel.  On my second trip
to Slovakia, I arranged to pick up a rental at the Empire hotel and took
a taxi there.  The clerk who made the final arrangements and gave me the
key spoke excellent English.  Since the car rental is paid in the US,
there is no need for a credit card.

Bill Brna

On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:24:55 -0800 (PST) Milan Olle
<coolkeytool@...> writes:

Is there any way of renting a car in Slovakia without a credit card???

--- On Wed, 2/10/10, e.gernat@... <e.gernat@...> wrote:

From: e.gernat@... <e.gernat@...>
Subject: [Slovak-World] Fwd: renting a car in Slovakia
To: slovak-world@yahoogroups.com
Received: Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 9:41 PM



----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "e gernat" <e.gernat@comcast. net>
To: sloval-world@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:39:13 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada
Eastern
Subject: Fwd: renting a car in Slovakia

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "e gernat" <e.gernat@comcast. net>
To: slovak-worls@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:36:35 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada
Eastern
Subject: renting a car in Slovakia

  In 2008 we rented a car for three weeks thru Advantage Rent a Car. They
brought it to the spa in Piestany and we dropped it at the airport at the
end of our wonderful trip. They were there to take it and we paid with
Master card.

We had no restrictions for miles and we took it to Poland no stopping for
passports.

A good map bought in Slovakia  at a gas station is all you need
.Good Luck  Edie

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

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Don't forget to drive with your headlights on at all times.  We were stopped not
100 yrads outside Kosice airport and couldn't imagine what we did wrong.  My
husband identified us as Americans, the officer reached in, turned the
headlights on and said 'We drive with the headlights on in Slovakia'.  Enjoy
your visit' and watched us pull off.

Also, there is no right turn on red there.  We asked a family member there about
it and she didn't understand because red means stop.  'You can't go when you are
supposed to stop'.

As someone else advised, just drive defensively.  I have driven there on 2
different trips.  If you can drive in the big cities in America, that's how they
drive everywhere in Slovakia.

Cathie




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]