The Loneliness of the Long Distance Piano Player

A light meal in the lounge of our hotel in Kosice, Slovakia, tonight was accompanied by the piano playing of this refugee from the 1980s. It had a certain retro charm.

Tonight's event was in stark contrast to last night's. A small, café venue with a much smaller audience lent the occasion a certain intimacy. Like sitting talking to friends. It was fun, and very relaxing.

Earlier in the day we had hurtled along the motorway from Brno to Bratislava in a racketing old Skoda driven by a friendly young man who seemed to have trouble staying awake. Then a 5-hour train journey east, towards the border with Ukraine, through stunning wooded countryside, jagged mountains rising straight out of the mirrored waters of dark and brooding lakes.

This is deep in the heart of Central Europe, many miles from any sea, a country mired in mystery and history.

The people could hardly be friendlier, and I am constantly amazed how many people here have been reading my books. We will take away fond memories of a warm welcome, in spite of yet another early rise, and a dawn signing session at the hotel.

Another long day tomorrow, heading west then north, back to the Czech Republic and the northern city of Ostrava.

My apologies to my fellow blippers for not having the time to post comments on their blips. But they are scanned and appreciated.