Danube and Bratislava

Traveled all day along the Danube on this dreary rainy cold day. Not much to see along the shore except some fishermen and few huts. We did pass through the first of many locks, a slow but interesting process.
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, was celebrating the non violent 25th anniversary of the end of communism with a national holiday.  Slovakia is the youngest country in Europe separating from Czech Republic.  We walked through the old city on tour.  Before the war 15,000 Jews lived in the city, and now only 500. We passed a monument and several plagues remembering the Jews.  The city was beautifully preserved, historic buildings, vibrant squares.
We walked over to a modern shopping center - full of young shoppers - every bit as nice as any USA mall!