TODAY'S FOCUS
Student finds Charleston, Slovakia share love for food, more
By SARAH FITCH
Special to CharlestonCurrents.com
Editor's note: Mount Pleasant resident Sarah Fitch is on a church-sponsored mission trip to Slovakia. We thought you would enjoy her insights (and those of the Slovaks) about sharing memories of hard times, as well as the way she describes the Lowcountry to the people she meets. Sarah, 28, is the daughter of Rial and Peggy Fitch of Mount Pleasant.
JAN. 29, 2009 -- Greetings to everyone back in the Lowcountry of South Carolina from Central Europe! I am currently serving as a Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteer. This is a program from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) that gives young adults the opportunity to be in global mission. There are about 36 active missionaries from YAGM spread out all over the world, sharing experiences that foster the development of leadership, present cross-culture skill building, grow the principle of simple living, and ultimately bring forth young adults that are "globally formed and globally informed."
 Fitch |
Since August of last year, I have been living and working in Hybe, Slovakia, a tiny village at the base of the High Tatras mountains. Since a great deal of my participation in this YAGM program involves making connections between my home community in Charleston and the people here, I hope you will indulge me in a curious similarity I've stumbled upon between Charlestonians and Slovaks.
By the time we Lowcountry natives are knee-deep into hurricane season, many of our gatherings seem to share the same stories. In my family and circle of friends, we usually talk about Hurricane Hugo and how it affected life, how we dealt, and all those many details that changed our lives for a while. Perhaps older generations remember Grace or another powerful storm, while the younger ones bring to mind Katrina or others that so recently devastated the Gulf Coast. Our common experiences and ordeals are relayed annually and somewhat ceremonially. With the passing of time, even these hardships and challenges have become less burdensome and painful. In my family, especially, they have become things we can take pride in.
 The village of Hybe, Slovakia, is shown with the High Tatras mountains in the background at the end of a winter day. (Photo by Sarah Fitch.) |
In the village of Hybe, certain conditions also inspire trips down memory lane. Recently Slovakia was bracing for a severe gas shortage as a result of the Russia-Ukraine pipeline disagreement. Immediately, this prompted the government to begin rationing gas for individual consumption, small businesses, and government and state use as well. Thank goodness this is no longer an issue here, but just as storm season gets us thinking of our past, the government response in Slovakia has reminded many residents in this village of the Communist era. Over the past few weeks, I have heard so many stories about people standing in lines for four hours to buy bread. Others are quick to remember when schools and government offices would close for weeks on end if there was not enough gas or coal to heat the buildings during long winters, and how at one point overnight everyone's money became worthless and a new currency was issued to put everyone on an equal level.
When trying to comprehend the magnitude of these problems, I ask how they were able to motivate and inspire themselves. Most of the people I meet shrug and say something to the effect that it wasn't that bad or that they were able to manage. However, I wonder if relating their stories through the years could have helped them the way our storm stories have helped us?
One wonderful aspect of my volunteer "job" here in Slovakia is that I get to have many exchanges with different groups of people. In a typical week, I meet students from preschool age all the way up to 80-year-old English as a Second Language students. People are very interested in America, and I have the good fortune to be able to share a little bit about myself and the wonderful community from which I come.
 Sarah Fitch's host grandmother, Margita, and host mother, Marta, with a pot of halusky, a popular Slovak dish. (Photo by Sarah Fitch.) |
Being a native of the South Carolina Lowcountry, I usually start by sharing about the hospitality and friendliness of our people, the beautiful natural scenery all around, and our delicious local food. All of these qualities can also be associated with my new home in Slovakia. Here in Hybe, hospitality has been ingrained into every aspect of life. More often than not, "quick visits" to drop in on a friend or neighbor become five- to six-hour stretches of conversation and relaxation. I also learned quite quickly to drop my habit of calling ahead before such visits - the calls are irrelevant and time-consuming. It's best to just show up and wait to be fussed over.
As far as beautiful surroundings go, I do miss seeing the Lowcountry. I don't think that ever really goes away. However, I do have some amazing opportunities to take in the glorious natural surroundings here: mountains that legend says were placed by the angels, ice caves, rivers just waiting to be kayaked (for me this will have to wait for a little warmer weather), and beautiful, untouched forests.
Finally, just as Charleston prides itself on delicious and inspiring Lowcountry fare, Hybe and Slovakia are quick to offer the same. The national dish in Slovakia is Bryndza Halusky (potato dumplings and sheep cheese served with fried bacon), and I have probably had it in every home in Hybe. Usually by coffee hour, the subject of national American dishes comes up and I am always stumped to find one true and unifying "American" meal. At this point I offer the USA's specialty in regional cooking. I think where I find the most common ground between my home in Charleston and my home in the village is with shrimp-n-grits. Over the years I feel like I've probably seen this recipe prepared every way imaginable (and in many different homes), and perhaps that is the same with Bryndza Halusky. Everyone has a unique twist to the recipe, and every occasion to eat it is a celebration.
At the end of most days, I am able to sit back and try to comprehend all that I am experiencing. I am from a beautiful place in the Lowcountry that takes pride in its heritage and beauty and hospitality. And now, for this year, I am fortunate to live in a village that shares these values. Peace to you from Central Europe, and please know that I am sending greetings from the people of Hybe and nearby villages to everyone back home!
Sarah Fitch blogs about her trip at sarahfitchinslovakia.blogspot.com. For more about the Young Adults in Global Mission program, click here.
