The Blorecast

A couple of years ago, a Slovak specialist wrote me a prescription. I took it to the lekáreň, paid €22, and only googled it afterwards. What I found made me — a trained chemist — genuinely furious with myself. This is Episode 28 of The Blorecast, and it's about Slovakia's pharmacy culture: why there are twice as many pharmacies per person here as in the UK, what's actually on those shelves, and wh...

Why do Slovaks choose warm Coke? Why will a draught kill you but a frozen lake won't? Why does my wife prescribe socks as the solution to frequent urination? After 27 years in Slovakia, I've developed a theory: Slovaks don't have random superstitions about cold — they have a framework. Cold is an active agent of harm. It is trying to get in. And that framework turns out to be more interesting, mor...

Why do British people drink tea with milk? In this episode of The Blorecast, I explore the history, chemistry, and culture behind Britain’s most iconic drink—and why Slovakia never developed the same tradition. From the East India Company and the Industrial Revolution to tannins, empire, and everyday habits, this video explains how tea became Britain’s national beverage. Along the way, I compare B...

🐰🐣🇬🇧 Why does Easter feel so different in the UK compared to Slovakia? 🧺💦🇸🇰 After nearly 30 years living in Slovakia, coming back to Britain at Easter feels… strange. In the UK, it’s mostly chocolate eggs and a long weekend. In Slovakia, it’s five days of rituals, food, and traditions that go back centuries. In this video, I explore the real reasons behind that difference — and address a claim...

I sat down with Bilal Zahid, the British Ambassador to Slovakia, for lunch at the Pilsner Urquell pub in Košice — and somehow the conversation ended up involving bears. We talked about what it's like to live in Slovakia as a Brit, the challenge of learning Slovak, regional differences across the country, and the wildlife. Bilal also shares his tips for language learning and I share my birdwatching...

After 27 years in Slovakia, you'd think nothing would surprise me anymore. You'd be wrong. From ticks to tichý zabijak, návleky to kapustnica — here are 9 things about Slovak life that I still haven't quite come to terms with. Featuring a drunk hunter, a couple of rants, and my spectacular failure to park a car politely. 🇸🇰 Living in Slovakia as a British expat for nearly three decades, I've grown...

Today we dive into some of the darkest children’s rhymes and cautionary tales: from a Slovak snail threatened with arson, to a speckled rooster facing death for breaking a flower, and the infamous story of Jim, the boy slowly eaten alive by a lion. These stories remind us that childhood literature wasn’t always innocent — and sometimes, it’s hilariously macabre. Stick around until the end for a ma...

Are Slovaks really grumpy? Is customer service in Slovakia actually terrible? Is the food bland? Do public offices close too early? In this episode of the Blorecast, I respond to sharp (but thoughtful) criticism from foreigners living in Slovakia and separate fact from fiction. We talk about Slovak food, public smiling, bureaucracy, police fines, “reklamácia” (the Slovak warranty claim system), an...

When is a potato not a potato? In Slovakia, it might be a bandurka, gruľa, švábka, krumpeľ, or zemiak — and the word you choose can reveal where you’re from. In this episode, I explore Slovak dialects, regional vocabulary, and how language quietly signals identity and belonging. Why does Slovakia promote standard Slovak so strongly in the media? What might be gained — and what might be lost — when...

Ever wondered what 27 years of living in Slovakia does to your language skills? Join me, James Blore, as I take you through my long (and occasionally amusing) journey learning Slovak — from tongue twisters to unhinged phrasebooks, from chicken shops to an exploding appendix. In this video, you’ll hear: • How I survived early Slovak mistakes like shouting at a wrong number 🐔 • My favorite Slovak w...

In Europe, healthcare is a baseline — not a debate. If you live in Slovakia, the UK, or most of the European Union, you grow up with a simple assumption: if you’re ill, you’re treated — regardless of your income or employment. That assumption is so normal here that we rarely talk about it. But it’s also what makes the American healthcare debate sound so strange from a European perspective. In this...

In this Blorecast episode, I respond to viewer feedback on two recent videos: 🇸🇰🇬🇧 Slovak vs British Christmas and 5 Ways Slovakia Is Definitely Better Than the UK. Over the holidays, both videos generated thoughtful discussion on YouTube and Instagram. Here, I reflect on what people agreed with, what they challenged, and what I learned from the comments — from Christmas traditions and food, to pr...

Is Slovakia actually better than the UK? 🇸🇰🇬🇧 I spent the first half of my life in the UK — and the second half in Slovakia. So I’ve experienced plenty of Christmases, dentists, supermarkets, and public offices in both. In this episode of The Blorecast, I ask a slightly dangerous question: Is Slovakia genuinely better than the UK — and if so, how? To keep things fair, I set myself some rules: • No...

I spent the first half of my life in the UK, and I've lived the second half in Slovakia — which means I’ve experienced Christmas from both sides. In this episode of the Blorecast , I put British and Slovak Christmas head to head in 10 festive rounds , comparing everything from food and traditions to timing, TV, Christmas markets, and the man himself. This isn’t a rant, and it’s not a culture war —...

Is Slovakia a safe country to live in? After 27 years of living here, I share my personal experiences with safety, weather, and everyday life on Slovak streets. From harsh winters and quirky pedestrian crossings to the one time I was accosted while bird watching, I’ll give you a realistic view of life in Slovakia. In this episode of the Blorecast, I cover: • Crime and street safety in Slovakia • W...

This week on the Blorecast: a short, clear update on what’s been happening in Slovakia — explained in simple English for international students, expats, and anyone trying to follow Slovak news without perfect Slovak. In this episode, I talk about the recent protests in Košice, the growing tension between conservative and liberal parts of Slovak society, and some of the major political events from...

What happens when a Brit moves to Slovakia and stays (almost) forever? In this episode of The Blorecast, I’m joined once again by Andy Billingham, a long-time expat, Slovak citizen and all-round legend, to talk about: 🇸🇰 Getting used to life in socialist-era Slovakia 🛒 Strange supermarket rules in the 80s 🥾 Hiking culture 🕖 Why everyone wakes up so early 🗣️ Tykanie, vykanie & the dying art...

When I first arrived in Slovakia back in 1998, “doing the shopping” meant visiting three or four different little shops — Potraviny Narcis for basics, Coop Jednota for salami and coffee, and Vrchovina for a litre of Cappy juice. Twenty-five years later, things look a little different. In this episode, I take a nostalgic (and slightly caffeinated) trip from those early shopping days in Humenné to K...

In this episode of The Blorecast, James steps outside to enjoy a beautiful autumn day and share the surprising story behind a viral Instagram short — the infamous Slovak snail rhyme! 🐌🔥 From Slimák, slimák to Šnečku, šnečku and even the brutal Serbian version, James compares how different countries talk to their snails (some nicely… some not so much). He also chats about Guy Fawkes Night, cultur...

It's a quick one this time, featuring horror snails! ⸻ 🌍 About the Blorecast The Blorecast is a podcast from The School of Blore in Košice, Slovakia. It’s about life, culture, language, and exams – all served up with a dose of humour and storytelling. Whether you’re learning English, preparing for Cambridge exams, or just curious about life in Slovakia, you’ll find something here. ⸻ 🎧 Listen: ht...

Why does Slovakia sometimes feel like it’s living in a different decade? And is that actually a bad thing? In this episode of The Blorecast, James Blore explores a country that has modernised rapidly yet still holds tight to its roots. From carpet beaters and top-loading washing machines to rural life, birds, mushrooms, and boars, James reflects on the pros and cons of the Slovak time warp. Compar...

Why do Slovaks love pigs so much? 🐷 In this episode of The Blorecast, I explore Slovakia’s deep and delicious relationship with all things porcine — from schnitzels and slanina to zabíjačka and wild boars in the forest! You’ll hear stories from my early days teaching in Humenné, discover why being vegetarian used to be a challenge in 1990s Slovakia, and learn about traditional dishes, local habit...

In this episode of The Blorecast , James catches up once again with his long-time lunch companion and all-round legend, Andy Billingham , who’s now officially a Slovak citizen ! 🇸🇰 Andy explains why he decided to apply for citizenship, what the process involves, and how the language test went. There’s also an update on James’s charity cricket match (spoiler: he survived) and some listener shoutout...

Welcome back to the Blorecast! In Episode 4 – Unsporting Behaviour, I dive into the world of sport — despite being about the least sporty person you could imagine. This weekend is a big one in Slovakia: 🏃‍♂️ The Košice Peace Marathon celebrates its 101st year – the oldest marathon in Europe and the third-oldest in the world. 🏏 I’ve inexplicably agreed to play in a charity cricket match in Spišsk...

In this episode of the Blorecast, James dives into one of the tastiest parts of Slovak cuisine – carbohydrates! From fresh Slovak bread and fluffy rožky to potato pancakes, bryndzové halušky and pirohy, this is your guided tour through Slovakia’s most comforting, filling, and downright delicious foods. 🇸🇰 What you’ll hear about in this episode: • Why Slovak bread is better than UK bread • Potatoes...