I'm outta here

[CorsairMac]

It was awesome! Truly the trip of a lifetime. It was everything I thought it would be - and nothing like I thought it would be. I didn't do any riding - it was a planned food and wine tour and there was just never any time. Plus I was there with my father and sister neither of whom ride. to AB: I was in Budapest, Egar, Pecs, and Balakonybel (close to Lake Balaton).
I walked in tombs that were built in the 4th century, visited a horse farm that is preserving the horsemanship skills that Hungary was reknown for in it's early years, learned about the horror and the sadness that was Communism, and marvelled at how much they as a people have survived over the centuries and how far they have travelled since the "transition". They are a very fierce people (guess that's where I get it from ) and a very proud people; and they are working very hard to restore and/or save everything that defines who they are - the good and the bad. I drank wine that was truly the nectar of the Gods and ate food that could have been served in the best houses in Europe. I laughed at the differences in our languagues and was actually reading Hungarian by the time I had to come home. (ok...I have Not a clue what I was reading.......but it sure Sounded like I knew it!) There were cities that were so old and so well-preserved it took your breath away, and cities that were so ugly it made you bow your head in sadness. We ate at a restaurant with a thatched roof in a village of wonderful homes with thatched roofs, then drove through a city of communistic concrete towers. We drove on roads that were in excellent shape which we shared with sports cars, semis, and horse and wagon. We saw centuries old buildings butted right up against ugly concrete towers. The contradictions were almost alien to Americans yet is part of the Hungarians everyday life. It was truly a trip that will not be forgotten, and yet - the Hungary I saw over the past 2 weeks will not be the same Hungary in the next 5 yrs, or the next 10. It was exactly what I had expected - and nothing at all like I had expected, and I would do it again.

[wabisabi]

Sounds like a great trip, and glad to see that you really got around the country. I've only been in Budapest and on the trains. You probably learned that they had the first continental subway system (and aren't some of the trains OLD?). One does tend to develop your own pronounciation of the language--I think the closest language is Norwegian (I think?). You are so right on about the contrasts there. (My background is also part Austro-Hungarian)

[bikerchick68]

corsair! Good to have you back on the boards... man, that trip sounds absolutely wonderful... I am always amazed at the history of places I visit... enthralled really...

I sure hope you will post some pics or an album... I would love to travel to Hungary this year thru your eyes! Glad it was such a wonderful trip.

[chick on a bike]

Wow...........that trip sounds like it was absolutely increadible...How awesome! I'm glad that it went so well for you; now I'm jealous! *lol* I wanna go! ^^ Though too bad that you didn't get to go riding, that would have made the trip just that much better. *he he*

Glad to have you back and in one piece! ~hugs to you~


~Liz

[nuthatch]

Sounds like the trip of a lifetime, Corsair!