Birthdays and Name Days

On Saturday at Yemi's game I sat next to someone celebrating their Name Day. I had never heard of Name Day up to this point. Turns out most countries in Europe celebrate this day to different extents. Name Day has it's origins in Catholicism like many traditions/holidays here. It began when people named after Catholic saints would celebrate the Saints day as represented on the Orthodox saints calendar. In Slovakia it has transformed into a day that is celebrated just like a birthday with presents and parties. I found the calendar with the names for the day listed for different countries online. I'm sure you can also buy a calendar that includes name days on it here.

I thought I would also mention something culturally different about celebrating birthdays in Europe vs America. In all countries that Yemi has lived in when someone is having a birthday they are responsible for brings food/cakes/drink to work or school to celebrate. I have been to several parties here where the person who's birthday it is pays the entire tab for the party goers. Definitely opposite from tradition in the states where people throw parties for you on your birthday. If it's your birthday then it's your treat in Europe.

"Great Taste of America"

The more people I meet here the more convinced I become that people think American's eat hamburgers everyday. Is the hamburger our national food? Like how pizza and pasta are Italy's? The most popular and common American restaurant abroad, if you can call it that, is McDonalds and Slovakia is no exception. It is not just a fast food joint either. People have birthday parties there, the whole 9. Sure they have one or two KFCs and Subways but not like McDonalds. The slogan plastered all over every McDonalds restaurant is "Great Taste of America." Hmmm I don't know about that one. What do you think? Is McDonalds really a great taste of America?

The other day we had some friends over and I asked them what is your favorite American food and we can eat that for dinner. "Hamburgers!" she yelled. She had no idea how to make them either. She wasn't sure what meat was used to make them. I taught her how I make them and now she makes them at home too. I guess I was just surprised that someone would not know how to make hamburgers, but it makes sense. I mean I do not have a clue how to make they're traditional potato dumplings that are on the menu on all Slovakian restaurants so why would a non-American know how to make a traditional American BBQ food? Now I need to get her to give me a Slovakian cooking lesson!:)

We're Back

Yemi and I arrived back to Pezinok on the 30th from visiting our family and friends in Denver and Pittsburgh for the holidays. It was great! Dealing with airports during the holidays is always a challenge and the jet lag/ time change was difficult but everything else was wonderful. I feel refreshed and ready for another 3 months in Slovakia.

We got a great video camera from Yemi's sister for Christmas so I'll be posting some Vlogs for anyone who wants to get more visual information about "Eastern Europe." I think it will help further my mission of breaking down Western stereotypes about this part of the world. A lot of people I spoke with back home had a lot of questions just about the differences in simple day to day life so I uploaded a composite of video taken with our new toy. The first part of the video is from a drive in Bratislava by the mall and the castle. The second part of the video is at the Tesco which is their equivalent of Walmart, it's a large warehouse style supermarket selling everything from groceries and liquor to clothes and electronics.

Happy New Year everyone!