It’s far too complex to put those two weeks into a short story.
Already the first day I accidentally came "face to face" with my father who didn’t recognize me. Quite understandable of course after not seeing each other for good 18 years. What did surprise me that this was still very emotional for me.
A much nicer experience was to see my mother happy with our “present”. I guess, for the first time she really appreciated it. No perfumes, shoes, clothes or handbags, but a big box of laundry detergent!
Maarten was very disappointed that his dad and mom stayed one night at Grandma's as well. He wanted us to drop him there and see us drive back home again.
Right, mom and dad had a great time in the mountains even though I couldn’t stop thinking of my little scamp.
Despite the bad weather on our first hike up to the foggy ridge the weather changed drastically in the good way and unbelievably it stayed sunny the whole week.
Although initially we were planning to visit the High and White Tatras as well yet after driving through the mountains to Pieniny we decided to stay in the calm vicinity of Roháče, the Tatras' western part.
We hiked most of the trails here and in some valleys we didn’t meet a soul. Now and then this brought back the adventurous feeling of hiking in the bear country.
We were warned about the bears long before we came here. Compared to the theories I’ve learned in The States the bears in Slovakia would attack people! Is this because of the different bear kind or because of their greatly reduced natural habitat here in Slovakia?
The heavy clouds and idea of hugging Maarten again made parting with this beautiful area (and its smell of fried bacon and sausages) a lot easier.
It was really pouring when we finished visiting this intriguing castle built on a high rock above the river Orava.
Luckily the bad weather hasn’t reached Grandma's home yet.
Meeting Maarten grasshopper hunting in a sun drenched meadow was also kind of emotional, I have to admit.
Nevertheless, it seemed everybody was quite relieved seeing "Maarten the Menace" getting in the car leaving to go home. Not only the grandparents were happy to wave us goodbye, also the neighbors, the baby dogs, chickens that Maarten taught how to fly, Pepíček, the canary bird who almost took his last breath on the sofa where he was put under a pillow intended to surprise grandpa...
Would that be the reason why my mom gives only evasive answers to my suggestions for meeting again in the beginning of October?
