HUNGARY-2007

“There’s the Danube” said my husband, as the plane began to descend. Does he feel a great rush of joy, I wondered, or is he just commenting on the geography? He wouldn’t want to live here again, would he, so far from his sons and grandchildren. So what if the wine is cheaper.
Later, staying in a small hotel, surrounded most of the time by cousins, and driven around Budapest, Fót, and Szentendre in a tiny car, wedged between two others in the back seat I was not altogether comfortable. Our hotel near the railyard was not very restful for me with my “bionic” hearing. Only when we got out to the countryside was it really relaxing, especially in Tihany.
We stayed two nights in Tihany, and visited the ancient buildings, one with the tomb of the only Hungarian king whose body had not been removed from its original burial site. The statue of András király and his queen Anasztazia was not there last time I had visited. Lake Balaton of mythic fame as a backdrop behind the figures made touching picture. My photo of the scene and my tiny Miska jug are my favourite souvenirs of the visit.
At Lillafüred I watched Nick and his cousin and her husband off on the tiny train, and had a splendid day alone! A small water colour of the hotel was produced, from the garden side, and then a swim in the pool, and a latte on the terrace by the roses and I was ready to stay another week. Dinner was fun, wandering around all the dishes on the buffet trying not to eat too much.
We drove to Eger and spent the night in a new hotel, conveniently close to the wine cellars. We never did figure out the Jacuzzi.
The museum in Eger was cool, in both senses of the word, with fascinating exhibits, but the most memorable section of the castle was the horrifying descent into the hell of the tunnels where people held out against the enemy. Down, down - getting darker and darker.
We returned to Budapest, arguing about routes, since we didn’t have a GPS. Worst of all, we left our wine behind but couldn’t go back, since Nick had an appointment.
Then with the remaining older cousins and two hundred others we went to a wedding in Székesfehérvár, a civil and a church ceremony followed by a party, all seated at long tables and eating and drinking, and some of us who could move, dancing. Seven wedding cakes and a stream of untranslated jokes by the MC. Just as well. Then we came home. Both of us.

Sandra Farkas
 

 

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