The changes I'm seeing are not the result of a fool, but there is a lot of change here in Slovakia. Last week I tried to use my MacAir to present during a lecture. The projector wouldn't pick up the signal though and then the PC laptop wouldn't read my thumb drive so my colleague ended up holding my computer, ala Vanna White, as I presented. It wasn't horrible, but I was on a mission to avoid that happening again since I have several presentations to do. She later emailed me a student of hers, in an afternoon class, had been able to present from a Mac with a "special cable." I decided, given the number of presentations I have scheduled, it would be worth it to buy the "special cable." She kindly sent me a link to all the Apple stores in Bratislava.
The first notable change is the computer technology in the university classrooms. There's a locked AV cabinet in the rooms with laptop and projector or there is a projector mounted to the ceiling and a laptop on a table at the front of the room -- at least such is the case in the two buildings I've been in so far. The Pedagogical Faculty is still somewhat scattered, occupying at least four different buildings in Bratislava.
This afternoon I had a presentation scheduled from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the Department of Speech Therapy. I arrived early with the intention of going to the Apple store before class began. After lunch my colleague, Z, and his doctoral student, Ivy, researched the locations of the Apple stores, printed me off a Google map and sent me on my way to walk 1.4 km (about 20 minutes) to the closest location, which was in a brand new mall, Eurovea. I headed to the central bus station where my route was to begin. Of course, at that point the names of the streets on the signs didn't match the names of the streets on my directions. One thing hasn't changed for sure! I am directionally challenged and immediately headed in the wrong direction, which I kept up for at least 1 km. I then pulled out my trusty iPhone and the GPS engaged showing me I was no where near my destination. I retraced my steps to the bus station and noticed a sign pointing towards Eurovea. I then SCRUTINIZED the directions and corroborated that with what my GPS was showing. With my GPS reinforcing my decisions, I finally found Eurovea. Or maybe, it was Nirvana?
This was a mall like any mall in the US. I found the directory and located the Apple store. It was on 0 -- what is it with a 0 floor? Thinking that 0 is less than 1, I headed to the basement. Of course, there was no Apple store to be found and I walked the entire length. I finally asked someone in a coffee shop where the Apple store was. She didn't know. I then asked which floor I was on ... -1. Ah, 0 = the main floor. Up I went, reoriented myself with the directory and walked to the other end of the mall where I finally located the Apple store.
At first glance, this was just like any other Apple store in the US, with one huge difference -- I was the only customer in the store. I did not have to wind my way through throngs of people! I asked about the cable, showed him mine and he proceeded to find the "special cable." It was the exact same cable I was holding in my hand. I hadn't wanted to bring my computer with me. As light as it is, it's still something to haul around.
Instead, I'd taken pictures of the ports on the computer, etc. in the event I needed to show/explain. I whipped out my phone and began to show the pictures. I persisted because this cable had not worked. He went into the service room to see if someone else had an answer. Of course, the first thing they wanted was my computer. We talked about the possibility of different refresh rates due to European current vs. US current. I looked at the young man and assured him I was fairly computer competent. My age always works against me with regards to a perceived level of computer literacy. Some things don't change. We discussed what I might do to change the resolution, etc. and I told him that if that didn't work, I'd be back with my computer. It was time to head back to the university, with the promise of an afternoon espresso from Z before I taught class. I checked my FitBit when I got back and I had over 11000 steps. It was warm and sunny, so I got my exercise. Bratislava is still a very walkable city.
There are more young women smoking as they walk. There are much fewer men smoking.
Conversations on the bus and in public occur now, but are usually quiet. Cell phones ring, but again, conversations are generally quiet. When I was here in 1995, no one engaged in a public conversation. In 2006/2007 I heard English on the streets in passing conversations. People cupped their hands over their cellphones and whispered so as not to disturb fellow passengers.
S tells me the students in school are rude and create problems for the teacher. In 1995, they all stood when I entered the room and remained standing until told to sit down.
I lectured both times in English. I speak slowly and the instructor has been present to interpret, if needed. Both instructors have been Fulbrighter's. The students have understood me. Not having an interpreter certainly speeds things up. I also feel like I connect more with the students when I don't have to wait for interpretation.
The entrance to the university buildings is still manned by someone who dispenses keys and maintains the sign-in/sign-out logs faculty and staff must fill out upon entering and leaving the building. But, I do not need to "check-in."
I had to wait last week for the instructor to arrive. I sat in a chair, just inside the entrance at the top of a half flight of stairs. As I waited, a car pulled up front, which I could see through the doors. Next, I noticed what appeared to be a wheelchair. Sure enough, a young woman was transferred into that wheelchair by the car driver. Someone held the door open and then the driver proceeded to haul the woman in the wheelchair up the stairs, one step at a time, backwards! That was the first person in a wheelchair I've ever seen in a university building in 18 years. Still no accessibility, but there she was! Awesome!There's more, but I'll save that for another post.
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