As the plane came in for landing over Bratislava airport, I realised that I am really far away from home, nothing looked even slightly familiar. I thought I was crazy to come here on my own. My South African passport was scrutinized by the immigration police at the airport, which didn’t help to make me feel any more welcome. They even had to make a phone call to find out what the procedure was for South African passports.
That was what I understood anyway. That was all a long time ago, and on my first visit
to the beautiful girl who became my wife. Many changes have taken place in the six years I have been visiting Slovakia. Many new companies and large investors have made their way here. The skyline of Bratislava has changed dramatically with all the new developments in this short time. The young people in Slovakia might have once been slightly pessimistic about their future prospects in their own country; but this has changed into an attitude which is much more optimistic. In my experience the Slovaks are very friendly towards foreigners. When asking for directions they try their best to help you, even if they don’t speak English.

When ordering drinks at a bar the person next to you might start a conversation with you and end up even buying you a drink.