Bratislava, Slovakia (03/13/2009)

I figured a nice way to spend a Friday the 13th would be in a place that still retains a very post-communist feel - Bratislava. I was surprised at how pretty and quaint this small central European city was ... in some ways I much preferred it to Vienna. The old palaces and buildings were juxtaposed with futuristic yet slightly dilapidated sights that remind me of the Soviet-like dream (or propaganda) of a grandiose technological society while revering past culture. While I was walking around, I met an accordion-playing busker from Romania and had a talk about politics and current economics. He confirmed that Romania (and much of Eastern Europe) was really suffering due to the global downturn due to migrant workers returning East after being laid off only to find no jobs domestically. He then proceeded to ask about the job situation in Canada (hoping it would be better). Unfortunately, he had no formal education, and could not even read music, despite being able to play nearly anything he listened to with great detail and skill (since age 7). It's too bad for him, and once again reaffirms the fact that education is really a qualifier, rather than a desired attribute.