Banovce Slovakia

To say we had a wonderful stay with Peter and Maria was an understatement. They went out of their way to give us a wonderful time. Dinner on the Danube in out door restaurants, a wonderful day trip in Peter's car to Vienna in Austria and a day with Peter walking Bratislava and visiting his art studio. Another day trip to visit with his elderly cousin in remote country town known as Banovce. This incredible woman, herself a holocaust survivor was the last Jewish person left in Banovce. An intelligent, tough determined individual who made it her mission to raise funds locally and from Jewish organisations abroad to construct a Holocaust Memorial in her town to perpetuate the memories of the Jewish community in Banovce. Prior to the war the Jewish presence in Banovce was very extensive. Her efforts single handedly built the memorial and partially restored the Jewish cemetery just behind her newly built memorial. When they say the "Great Generation" one could only look in awe at this little elderly lady and what she had achieved. Keep in mind she went about this in the face of physical threats from local right wing anti semitic groups still alive and well in her little town. Fortunately many locals loved her and helped protect her from the nazi goons. She passed away several years ago leaving Peter with the task of maintaining her memorial. Knowing that crazy tough bastard, we know he will do just that for at least as long as he is around to do so.
After three wonderful days and four nights we had to make tracks once again. Peter and Maria asked us to stay longer but the time was running shorter and we still had half of Europe to ride in our westward quest back to England. Some amazing roads and people lay ahead.