Bratislava's Big Bang

I know what you're thinking: it's New Year's Eve (or rather New Year's Day now) and you're in Bratislava and what an amazing opportunity because after all, Slovakia's currency (the koruny or crown) changes to the euro at midnight. And what with all that EU cash being rained upon Slovakia (true, they still don't have a trans-Slovakian national highway), you'd think that Bratislava especially would be hosting the mother of all New Year's Eve bashes.

Lucky, lucky you! you think.

Alas, I am not in Bratislava. Mr. This Cat's (Not) Abroad and I are currently homeless - not an unenviable predicament if you have nice people to offer you a roof over your head in Italy while you catch up on your sleep reflect upon past life choices, rediscover the joys of provolone, reevaluate your priorities, sip espressos in Venice, and seek new employment opportunities.

But feeling somewhat loyal, wistful, nostalgic curious about Bratislava's Big Bang, Mr. This Cat's (Not) Abroad and I scanned all the news channels available to us a few moments past midnight to see what the EU's money bought. And of course there was nothing. Nothing on Bratislava - the only country this year to enter the Eurozone. Oh well, always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Vilnius' fireworks were quite spectacular. I mean, Lithuania is almost Slovakia, right?

... so glad we didn't hang around for the big night. I didn't have time to come up with an artist's rendition of what Bratislava's pyrotechnics may have looked like, but you'll see above a photo of the city's castle. Just imagine it in the dark with lots of coloured lights (coloured lights that could have been spent on a trans-Slovakian national highway).

Happy 2009! And on behalf of oxen everywhere, Happy Year of the Ox!