I'm currently dreaming of Hungary and thought I would invite you all in on it. Picture this...
As you enter Hungary you pass by pools of sunflower fields on both sides of the road. The sunflowers skinny necks sway to and fro, allowing their fat faces to be staring down the sun at all times. It's summer time, so the bright blue sky and white puffy clouds make them dance right down to their roots.
You see people walking down the street and become very aware you're not in Western Europe anymore. The faces of the old men and women show old pain, stubborn strength, and long nights of story telling after a few swigs of Pálinka. They dress different, they live different, they think different. You're in a new land, a new culture you've never experienced.
You drive into a tiny familiar village with about 2,000 people in it. They all know you're coming, and people begin poking out their windows and watching from their gates to see their old friends from afar visit once again. A group of kids catch sight of your van and chase you down the street for a while, yelling your names and greeting you with a friendly "Szia!"
You arrive at your destination and meet some familiar faces and after smooching faces and giving hugs, you attempt to chat in English, Hungarian, and a little bit of German with the ones who know it. The conversation is confusing, filled with many gestures and waving hands, and often ending in laughter. Slowly you make your way to someone's house, where many people are invited for a cook out. You walk along the dirt road, passing the many houses with furry, barking gatekeepers. A child comes up from behind and grabs your hand. You can't communicate with her at all, she's only 5, but she just wants to be near you. You made good friends with her the last time and now she won't leave your side, but you're ok with that.
You arrive and are given leave to eat anything they have in their enormous garden surrounding the tiny house. You feel like you entered a wonderland. Everywhere you look there are rows upon rows of fruit trees and vines and bushes with every kind of tasty thing you can imagine. This is their pride and joy, and to see your excitement over it makes all those hours of toil and labor worth it. You are led by a little boy who continues to chat with you in Hungarian and doesn't understand why you don't talk back. First you snag a peach from a nearby tree, but seeing how absolutely perfect and beautiful it is, you decide to save it for later. Next you come to a funny plum tree that holds an oval shaped fruit that you've never seen and your taste buds decide instantly that it's a new favorite. Nestled among the tall cherry trees are blackberry vines where you spend most of your time searching for the fattest and juiciest of them all. You remind yourself that an amazing dinner is headed your way and hold back from exploring further into the garden. You see the host already taking note of the things you enjoyed and telling his wife to get a large bag filled for you to take home. He also adds some of his peppers, tomatoes, and homemade bread, just in case.
The sun is starting to go down and you haven't eaten yet, but don't worry, this is normal. Everyone is taking their time and haste is not in their vocabulary. You sit around a fire and chat while kids run and play all around you. The host frequently checks on you to see if everything is ok. He offers you his coat when he saw you out of the corner of his eye rub your arms after a chilly wind rushed through. You are comfortable, full of all sorts of delicious drinks, and enjoying laughter and conversation while the smell of stew cooked over the fire reaches your nostrils. One of your dear Hungarian friends with a beautiful voice begins to sing and the sound of it makes you smile uncontrollably. The language itself is melodic while simply being spoken, but when old folk songs about someone's precious flower are sung, it brings utter delight to the listener. The food is ready and you feast until quite full and you've politely said no to offers of more helpings for the last time. You say goodnight and goodbye and chuckle to yourself as the shouts of "Hello!" are drowned by distance.
This has been a good day, but your adventures tomorrow at the thermal spa and explorations in Budapest will prove to give some competition.
I miss this country and the people I met in it. I have confidence that one day I will be there again and will hopefully be greeted by some of the same smiling faces.
