Checking in on Slovakia

I start my day off in Vienna by visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral. There’s a short lineup to get in, and it’s a little crowded inside, but it was worth the wait.

I love the level of intricate detail carved into each of the pillars

That being said, I still think it looks better from the outside.

I spend the time that I have left wandering around the center of the city.

It starts to rain, so I make my way to Palmenhaus for a break. It’s a greenhouse that’s been converted into a cafe.

I order a vegetable platter and an orange juice, and then enjoy a Sacher-Torte, a famous Vienese chocolate cake.

I then head to the train station to catch a train to Bratislava, Slovakia.

When I arrive, I’m pleasantly surprised to see a small but bustling city with lots of character.

Not only does the city have character, but the people do too! When an older man with and I get cut off by a tram at a pedestrian crossing, which then blocks the crossing as it waits for a stopped car on the tracks, he turns to me and complains in Slovak, then laugs and shakes his head.

For dinner, I want to try something new and local. I head to a restaurant and order a mushroom porkolt, which is delicious.

Turns out it’s Hungarian, but it’s still a great meal.

To finish off the day, I walk along the Danube river and admire the lights. It looks like a music festival is happening on the other side of the river.