Heaven and hell

Last weekend, Aaron and I visited the castle in Čachtice. It's where Countess Elizabeth Báthory became the most successful serial killer in history. She murdered more than 600 young women. The (false) legend is that she bathed in the blood of virgins to remain looking young. I think the truth is brutal enough. She's in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most victims. The castle is in ruins... the best castles are. Wild flowers disguise the once bloody walls. It was so lovely that I accidentally forgot the horror in its history.

The next day, we trekked through Slovensky Raj (Slovak Paradise). The name is quite accurate. The trails include giant ladders and chains attached to the steep rocks to help you ascend next to waterfalls. It was a giant playground in nature... the most beautiful place I've seen in Slovakia. I was nervous and shaking on the ladders, but adrenaline carried me up.