So, I'm not sure how to make this report, because its been so long and so much has been going on.

 

I'm living in Lendak, which is a village near Poland, known for upholding Slovak traditions and drinking. Once I brought a Rotary pal for a visit and as soon as we turned into Lendak he exclaimed "What is that?!??!?!" He was pointing at a cow just sort of chilling out in the road. I burst out laughing, because half of the pedestrians in Lendak are cows and most of the traffic consists of either tractors or horse drawn wagons, so I've gotten used to it. Lendak is definatly not typical Slovakia, but I'm really enjoying it. Probably because I only spend evenings there. I go to school, play hockey, and take trumpet lessons in Poprad, which is a city a bit smaller than Mo-town and about 30 kilometers away.

 

School is alright. I only have to attend five classes and since its block scheduling I only go to about 3 or 4 a day. Usually, I just chill out in the lounge reading or I go to a cafe. I'm convince this one cafe I go to all the time has black market connections, because they have a tiger that they keep in a back room. Its just a little one....for now.

 

So hockey...is amazing. I'm playing professionally, hah! But that only means its a sponsored team. But hockey is amazing here. The team I'm on is 2nd in Slovakia and I actually get ice time. Practices are pretty hard and the games are way longer than I was used to, but I'm improving so much. Hockey is probably the highlight of my stay here, plus the girls on the team are cool.

 

My Slovak's coming along great. Probably because no one in my host family speaks English. Well, except my host sister, but she was working in America until mid September. A week after she returned she started school in Bratislava, so she's only been back one other weekend. I'm always glad when she comes back, but mostly just because she's really cool to hang out and talk with.

 

I'm also taking trumpet lessons. My teacher doesn't speak English, so mostly we just play together. I want to try to find some group to play with as well, but I haven't gotten around to asking yet.

 

Other than that I just hang out with Brandon or some Slovaks or else I'm in Lendak reading, studying, or watching TV with the family. Its pretty normal, except not really, so I'm having a great time. Well, I guess that's all for now.

 

Sincerly yours,

Abby