As of 6 days ago, I had just one month left in continental Europe. At that time, on September 8, I will be returning to the United States, a future which continues to increase in the clarity of reality and the lens continues to refocus and readjust on changing possibilities. In the meantime, I have one month remaining of my great adventure, yet I have relatively settled for the time being. I have plans, destinations and times and even a roof over my head whenever I like. Still, the next (now) 3 weeks hold many exciting turns and twists which continue to mold me as I meet more and more people who will change my outlook.
As of now, for the record, I cycled 2, 411 kilometers. No, its not 3000 as I had hoped but a fair attempt to say the least. And, for now, the bicycle, and I are resting. I cleaned out my bags and prepared for more touring via train than bike over the next 3 weeks. I will also have more clothing and ready access to toilets, stoves, beds, and pillows. All extraodrinary luxuries I will likely not see as ordinary again anytime soon.
Since my last post, I have visited with family and nonfamily members who have cared for me more kindly than I could ever expect or relate in a blog. It is this kind of giving without recieving hospitality I look forward to passing on in the near future once I can become the too-kind host. If anything can be learned from the past few weeks, it is this lesson, one which I have seen and appreciated everytime I return to Hungary. As a 3rd cousin, son of a high school classmate, or son of an elementary school classmate, I was treated royally. We ate every kind of classic summer Hungarian meal and treat and were force fed pálinka every few hours if not minutes beginning at 7 in the morning and ending as night caps. Brian and I relented to the kind treatment and our specially-trained biking ways fell by the wayside very quickly.
Now, in Budapest, we are resting and recuperating from a lengthy paddling trip up and down the Duna- a total of approximately 70 miles. So, although our legs are resting, our arms continued to fight the current. Self propelled travel is the way to go. Feeling of accomplishment and health benefits aside, it saves extraodrinary amounts on oil consumption and gives the traveler a much better insight into the landscape through which they are traveling. All around, the self propelled portion of the summer has been a great one.
In two days, I will travel to Bratislava and experience another country yet again! Unfortunately, with no ability to speak the language, I will rely on my hosts to assist me in muddling through. Can't wait to add another city and another country to my travels!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Magyarország
It vagyok!
I am so glad to be back to Hungary, bicycling roads I know around Balaton and seeing pieces of my family and my fathers past.
After a great night with our German acrobat friends which involved a dry land version of Marco Polo and my first swim in the Balaton, we rode to visit Tamás, Evelyn, Julics, and József- who took amazing care of us! Sitting high on the volcanic remains above Balaton, we dined on gulyás, gomboc, lecsó, and dinnye while drinking József's home made wine and his mother's pálinka. Havent eaten that much or that well in months! I also reviewed pictures from my édes apa's time in Bourgcastle(Spelling?) and it turns out that we look EXACTLY the same. Also of note, he wore leather jackets in the winter with tight high waters and beautiful leather shoes while riding his bike in the snow.
Leaving in a food stupor, Brian and I rode until a major thunderstorm forced us to set camp next to the railroad tracks I have ridden so many times before around Balaton. Sleeping next to the tracks was not too easy, though, but it was necessary as the storm blew hurricane force winds across Balaton as I have seen happen before! We sat in the bar drinking Arany Ászok, another Hungarian treat, and playing rummy infinity. Now I return to the home I spent so many summers retiring in during my impressionable teenage years along the Balaton, the Kovacs lakás. No Siofok bulizni this time, though, just time with family!
Magyar vagyok.
I am so glad to be back to Hungary, bicycling roads I know around Balaton and seeing pieces of my family and my fathers past.
After a great night with our German acrobat friends which involved a dry land version of Marco Polo and my first swim in the Balaton, we rode to visit Tamás, Evelyn, Julics, and József- who took amazing care of us! Sitting high on the volcanic remains above Balaton, we dined on gulyás, gomboc, lecsó, and dinnye while drinking József's home made wine and his mother's pálinka. Havent eaten that much or that well in months! I also reviewed pictures from my édes apa's time in Bourgcastle(Spelling?) and it turns out that we look EXACTLY the same. Also of note, he wore leather jackets in the winter with tight high waters and beautiful leather shoes while riding his bike in the snow.
Leaving in a food stupor, Brian and I rode until a major thunderstorm forced us to set camp next to the railroad tracks I have ridden so many times before around Balaton. Sleeping next to the tracks was not too easy, though, but it was necessary as the storm blew hurricane force winds across Balaton as I have seen happen before! We sat in the bar drinking Arany Ászok, another Hungarian treat, and playing rummy infinity. Now I return to the home I spent so many summers retiring in during my impressionable teenage years along the Balaton, the Kovacs lakás. No Siofok bulizni this time, though, just time with family!
Magyar vagyok.
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