Tim and Michelle (not pictured) are the Elite teachers for the ELCA Central Europe program. Their visit early in the year was super helpful and inspiring. It was a treat to be able to host them and discuss any and all concerns I might have been having.

My school.

The Ultimate team here in Kosice, KE is the city abbrev. 'Kefer' is a local sour milk drink- first sip was awful, the second was a little less awful.

Daily walk to Hlavna Ulica (main street)

Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire

The view from the train as the train rolled into Kosice

The first sights of your new home can be frightening and misleading

Skeptical and concerned until arriving on main street

Another view of the beautiful cathedral that is the center of old town. A 3 minute walk from my flat, a gorgeous and inspiring sight every time you visit the city center.

This is the 'farmers market' that happens every morning on the square just across from my flat.

This is the room where I will be living for a while

Being the "Capital of Culture" for 2013, Kosice is hosting all kinds of concerts, shows and events.

The school where I am teaching.  J.A Komenskeho

One week after arriving I was invited to join the local Ultimate team at Slovakia Regionals and then Nationals. Awesome.

Coke-a-Cola's latest efforts to lure you into purchasing something you don't need. Flattering, but I didn't fall for it.

And the day my bike arrived, a most important and healthy habit. No matter where I am in the world, I am home on two wheels.

Orientation in Bratislava

Our final dinner, joined together for goodbyes as we made final preparations for departure to our schools

The 2013/14 ELCA Central Europe Teachers Group

Arrival in Bratislava

After completing my backpacking trip across Europe I finally arrived in Slovakia

The Bratislava train station. My almost last stop for a while. A year (or two) in the making and I was finally about to step into the real.

After wandering all around the wrong parts of town without a phone or internet service. I was unable to contact my colleagues until I befriended a Croatian fellow and he loaned me his phone. I was able to call and confirm the proper address and I was able to arrive just after dinner to the Evangelicke Faculta Gymnasium on the hill overlooking Bratislava.

This was the view from my balcony at the school. My temporary home for the week.

The week of orientation was filled 8-5 with dense and valuable information. Teaching strategies, history of the country and culture, program information and foreign language lessons.

Patients, please

Please be patient with the updates to this blog! I am without a computer until I arrive in either Bratislava or Kosice and will then begin to keep an updated blog. I am currently backpacking across Europe headed to Bratislava by August 19th. This blog is focused on my experience in Slovakia, not backpacking. So when I get my first chance I will publish my first entry about the preparation and feelings before departure and also document my experiences upon arrival.

First Post

This is the inaugural post for my first attempts at hosting a blog. I will be trying my best to keep current posts and updated information about my experiences and travels. I am new to publishing my writing and will make a sincere effort to keep my publications coherent and constructive while maintaining a captivating and informative dialogue. But, be cautioned-this format lends it self to an unrestricted and open capturing of thoughts and ideas.