Trip to High Tatras

The weather forecast for the Sunday of  23rd February 2014 was promising good conditions for spending time in nature. So 13 Erasmus of 8 different nationalities didn’t need more reasons to get on a train. Destination of the day: The High Tatras!

Three pairs of Portuguese feet, two pairs (each) of Italian, French and Turkish feet and one pair (each) of Greek, Hungarian, Polish and native Slovak ones are now standing in Starý Smokovec (1010 m.a.s.l), a mountain village on the ‘root’ of  Tatras, wondering if they have to overcome the difference in altitude to Zamkovského Chalet (1475 m.a.s.l) by themselves. Fortunately, a funicular helped us with the first 275 meters to Hrebienok. There we were lucky to visit the Ice Cathedral made out of 28 tons of ice, shaped by 12 sculptors, which during the months of its existence serves also as a ceremonial hall. Since no one wanted to get married, we continued the way, watching our steps carefully because of the morning- newly frozen melting snow. The next stop happened to be the Rainerova Chalet which is well-known for several reasons: 

1. Alpine carriers museum - a small museum of hardworking mountain carriers who, even nowadays, carry 50-100 kilograms of stuff (gas containers, water, food and all the supply the chalets offer) on their backs,

2. traditional herbal tea, 

3. Mr. Peter Petras - former carrier, passionate amateur snow sculptor, the person who we thank to for reconstructing the chalet and making it a museum.

The tea warmed us up, photo with Mr. Petras we will stick later into our album and now let’s fight with balance and gravity until (but also after) reaching the final destination mentioned above, Zamkovského Chalet. The place welcomed us kindly- everything was full except of the table where 13 people could fit at, in a separated room. While eating halušky, pirohy, guľáš, parené buchty and other traditional delicacies, nice staff surprised our international group first with Tatra postcards where we could give a chalet stamp on and later brought local sweet, Tatramelky (puffed rice in caramel), for everyone to taste for free. I can’t decide who was happier- if those who were given or the ones who gave :)

Strengthened by the food and pleased by humanity and mountain spirit we could start heading back down to the place where our walk started. On the way to Košice, in Poprad, we took a coffee break to suppress the pleasant fatique of being the whole day on the fresh air.

I believe that at the end of the day everyone fell asleep with a smile on their face. At least I did :) 

Author and photos: Lenka Leláková, trip participant, ESN Cultural Activities Coordinator