IF YOU regard central Europe as the region of Count Dracula and The Blood Countess Erzsébet Báthory, the top news of this week will come as no surprise – Slovakia came close to having its first cannibal (kanibal) in recent history. What does this say about the country?
First, it has huge tourist potential. The hockey world championship has failed to attract the large numbers of visitors businesses and municipalities had expected. But no need to worry: with stories such as this one Slovakia could yet turn into a top destination for thrill-seeking tourists. Whether you yearn to be eaten, or just have a taste for places of horror, don’t hesitate to come.
Second, the bad reputation of Slovak services is not deserved. The cannibal arrived at the agreed meeting with his victim well prepared – he had all his equipment, drugs and black pepper to keep away the animals while the body was stored in the holes which he had already dug. Although experience with many locals is torturous, you can find quality professionals in Slovakia when you try hard enough.
Third, shooting seems to be becoming a regular part of local life. Last August there was the mass murderer in Bratislava; now comes another standoff between the police and a lunatic. Sure, guns are not new to Slovakia, but previous killings usually involved the mafia. Now, increasingly, it’s regular people gone berserk that use weapons to harm others. And with them, central Europe is becoming a bit more scary.
