Funeral

Losing a long-beloved person is hardly can be processed and we hardly believe that we cannot see her any longer, never. Margo was a brave struggler against cancer for several months. The killing disease finally won and grabbed her life at the age of 57. We will always remember your puerile optimism, your wording, your titter and we do hope that all your pains dissolved, not like ours.

Rest in peace! 

Baptism

We only just arrived home from Canada and were invited to a heartwarming event. Noémi and Bálint were baptized jointly by "Matyi atya", the same priest who wedded us and baptized Dominik as well. All these are not self-evident because he is just used to be a local priest. He was reassigned many many years ago. Then and there I regret to let him know that our marriage was not an everlasting one.

inCALIFORNIA onHOLIDAY

Who has ever been in America and was asked how it was, knows well how difficult to answer. The experience cannot been described with a word, neither with a simple, nor with a complex sentence. You have to live it to believe it. It's one thing to admire landscapes and attractions on screen and it's quite another to visit those landscapes and attractions yourself. Forget HD, the picture is million times clearer in person.

First and foremost, I would like to say a giant thank you for Robi and Nancy. I'm ineffably grateful that we were allowed to join their vacation and had the chance to explore Southern California together. What an amazing trip and what amazing relatives.

After very smooth and pleasant flight we met in Los Angeles. Robi was waiting for us late at night at the airport and gave us a lift to our first hotel. The very first kid's meeting happened the following morning and by the time we reached our first destination, the two boys had been sticked together. Same age, same interest, same attitude.  

(1) Universal Studios Hollywood is the world's largest working movie studio. We not only went behind the scenes on the legendary Studio Tour to explore the most famous backlot, but also saw a tidal wave of explosive action in WaterWorld, tried the Simpson's Ride right alongside the main characters. Latter is said a visually stunning experience with its state-of-the-art digital projectors covering an 80 ft. diameter dome surface with an image four times the standard High Definition found in most home theaters, and twice what you’d experience in a normal digital theater. Hydraulic power system assures you to feel like being real part of a real cartoon.

Special effects and 3-D glasses bring the experience to life in the movie of Shrek 4-D. Moving seats, water, wind, mist put you right in the middle of the fairytale adventure. Here in the studios, my absolute  favourite was the Studio Tour with its many famous city blocks where many movie were filmed and built with creative consultation from Steven Spielberg himself and was memorable to be part of a flood, an underground catastrophe, a dinosaur attack that is actually the award-winning King Kong 360 3-D, etc... Everything is tremendously lifelike so you have to warn your brain successively not to go for the things your eyes are seeing. 

(2) The Hollywood Sign is more than just nine white letters spelling out a city’s name. It’s one of the world’s most evocative symbols – a universal metaphor for ambition, success, glamour. Although the Sign’s appearance and purpose have evolved over the years, its basic aspirational message remains the same: This is a place where magic is possible, where dreams can come true. As for me, one of my dreams definitely came true by being there.

(3) After checking the Hollywood Sign, another eagerly expected Hollywood icon was admired: the world's most famous sidewalk, the Walk of Fame, containing more than 2500 terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. Stars of most legendary and world-famous celebrities — the so-called "show business royalty" — are found in front of the Chinese Theatre. Concrete blocks set in the forecourt, which bear the signatures, footprints and handprints of popular motion picture personalities from the 1920s to the present day. In April 2013, plans were announced to convert the original theatre for IMAX. The Chinese IMAX ranks as the largest seating capacity (932) IMAX theatre in the world.

Driving through Beverly Hills, touched Rodeo Drive (known for its luxury-goods stores), we reached our second accomodation late at night, the Dolphin's Cove Resort. This is how our very first full dazzling day was spent in America. 

(5) In Disney California Adventure Park different land themes bring to life Disney and Pixar stories and characters: Buena Vista street, Hollywood Land, "a bug's land", Cars Land, Pacific Wharf, Paradise Pier, Grizzly Park, Condor Flats. Soarin' over California was the ride being nearest my heart and even cheated some tears out of my eyes. Normally, it should't had to. As the lights dim, gracefully ascend 45 feet high and take your position in front of an 80-foot projection dome for a simulated flight across the Golden State, above California’s natural and manmade wonders. Feel like you’re flying and even smell what you’re seeing. We had to retry this ride because of Dominik, too. Summarized, I can say that everything is carried out for you to believe that you're dropped into a certain cartoon. The feeling is undescribable when you are walking on the streets of Radiator Springs seeing the well-known mountains in the background, or you just stop and analyze the monster's bikes parking in front of the Monster's University and wow there goes Sully in his actual size, in flesh and blood. The World of Colour must-see outdoor nighttime attraction closed the day. This show features projected film clips on an immense water(!) screen with the colour-changing Mickey's Fun Wheel in the background and is the most impressive and fanciful nighttime extravaganza Disney has ever produced. It is accompanied by momentous music, includes fire, fountain, fog and laser effects. You can become part of the nighttime spectaculars with Mickey's Ear Hats that change colors to correspond with various shows.

(6) And then, Disneyland's time has finally come. Walt Disney’s original theme park is divided into 8 lands — Main Street U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Mickey's Toontown, Frontierland, Critter Country, New Orleans Square and Adventureland. They surely have got something for everyone. With the help of a smart application that was downloaded to Robi's smartphone, we were able to follow a recommended itinerary in order to spend the less time possible with waiting in the lines of different rides. Disneyland is simply fabulous, not accidentally the happiest place on Earth with its perfectionism in every little detail. 

Favourite rides: Dominik's ones were Star Tours and the Pirates of the Caribbean. Latter is a sailing voyage to a long-forgotten time when pirates dominated on the high seas. Through a shadowy grotto, escape past a cozy restaurant before sliding down a small waterfall into the ghostly graveyard of fallen rapscallions — your gateway to the Golden Age of Piracy. The figures are so so real (even the hair on the pirate's legs) thanks to the Audio-Animatronics, Walt’s latest animation technology. Star Tours is an intergalactic 3D adventure, motion-simulated space flight that launches you into the world of Star Wars. C-3PO pilots the ship. May the Force be with you. There are two things that refers to definately Disneyland in my mind. These are: Sleeping Beauty Castle and Mickey's Toontown that is the longtime home of many of the most ancient Disney characters. I enjoyed to take a self-guided tour of the original house of mouse. Based on actual images seen in the cartoons and comics, Mickey’s House is just the kind of warm place you’d expect everybody’s favorite mouse to live (and I'd expect myself to live). I really liked the New Orleans Square itself and seeing the Mark Twain Riverboat set sailing. Adventureland is another great experience for me: Jungle Cruise, Tarzan's Treehouse, Enchanted Tiki Room. In the Tiki Juice Bar (hosted by Dole) where pineapple juice and pineapple ice-cream (called whip) or both mixed (called whip floats) can be bought, Robi told me that this is the only place where this kind of delicacies are available besides Hawaii. The Jungle Cruise is a thrilling expedition with lifelike wild animals. We can leave civilization behind and cross continents and oceans through wild waters rarely seen by man. The adventure includes the world’s most exotic locales: the Mekong River, the African Congo, the Nile, the Amazon...

...to be continued.

inJAPAN onBUSINESS

See wonder. The man’s daughter, the hero of this novel (me) got Japan. The verb ”get” is very appropriate here since she not only simply reached Japan but also obtained it as an unexpected new experience. Enlightening trip professionally, humanly, touristically. Undoubtedly unforgettable.
If I had intentionally observed my account of experiences told to family and friends, I’d realized that some details had been curved more than others.

Japanese attitude

Three notions come into my mind when speaking about Japanese people: courtesy, thoroughness, humbleness. I was lucky to meet the Japanese in their own country not only on  the streets of Tokyo but also in the coutry and not only as a tourist but also as a business partner. This mixture shaped my impression jointly. Their discipline on every field of life is respectable.

Tokyo Subway

This discipline is the most eye-catching for an outsider (they call foreigners ”gaidzsin”) and perceptible when using public transportation. TOKYO, as the largest metropolitan area in the world with its 12 million (!) inhabitants (Hungary’s population is 10 million) is absolutely overcrowded. On reflection we have to admit that discipline is a must. Each member of the rolling crowd knows well how to behave and how to position themselves in order to avoid any bottleneck. However, they have rules to keep while using elevators or steps that is very simple: always move on the left giving the chance for the faster passengers to overtake you without any problem. If Japanese attitude is spellbinding, their sybway system as well. As of 2013, the entire network of Tokyo Metro and Toei has 290 stations and 13 lines. The Tokyo Metro and Toei networks together carry a combined average of over eight million passengers daily. I can confirm, we tried and used several times and felt our sense of locality quite poor in the labyrinthine underground passageways first but after a couple of days I found it so logical and was able to orientate myself easily. Anyway, willing people always occured when needed.    

Japanese Gardens

Japanese gardens are traditional gardens that create miniature idealized landscapes and actually they were developed under the influences of the Chinese gardens. The gardens of the Emperors and nobles were designed for recreation and aesthetic pleasure, while the gardens of Buddhist temples were designed for contemplation and meditation. As for me, they delight my eyes and make me stop and think. 

Shinkansen, the Super Express

If you asked me what caused goosebumps for me in Japan, the answer definately would be: shinkansen. The shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. The maximum operating speed is 320 km/h outside the town. Test runs have reached 443 km/h for conventional rail in 1996, and up to a world record 581 km/h for maglev (magnetic levitation) trainsets in 2003. Japan was the first country to build dedicated railway lines for high speed travel. We have travelled by shinkansen, but the real great experience was for me to see the very first one to skim away in front of me while standing on the platform. It was too fast, whizzed and disappeared at once. And my chin fall. And I didn’t want to beleive what I actually saw. And I felt the goosebumps on my arms what’s more I needed to check in real because all were unbelievable.

I could sing the praise of Japan on and on but where to finish? I could write about the mysterious Mt. Fuji that I expect to show much more from itself next time, about the earthquake-proof largest Tokyo Sky Tree tower with its high speed elevator even if we saw nothing from the look-out part because of the fog, about the unapproachable Imperial Palace, about the intended device built in those spotless intellectual lavatories, about how they handle umbrellas, about the 10-course (or so) round table business dinner or about our ”shabu-shabu” business lunch featuring thinly sliced beef and vegetables boiled in water and served with dipping sauces.

I saw too many good things to enumerate here and tooo many treasure remained that tempt me to return to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Let me lay down that I knew nothing about Japan before this trip. Once the trip was realized, I rushed into the library and borrowed all Japan-related books to get to know and feel closer them and their culture and – I definately wanted to learn eating with sticks prior to reach the country. This trip set something going inside… When we reached Narita Intl. Airport, I remember that big poster on the wall saying: TOKYO WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART. I officially report, it did… Hai!

Plan, act and catch!

We had the pleasure to organize such huge gathering that happened last weekend. The starting point of the occasion was the fact that Zoli & Évi came home for a couple of weeks from Denmark. In real, all originated in our visit to Legoland, Billund... Thanks to my mom who developed the idea and decided to invite the rest of the long-seen family members from Köröstarcsa. This is how it happened that we were more than 30 of us and spent great time together.

Excitement in the air

Walnut, almond, hazelnut, plum, pear, grape, bug, spiderweb are the things that we can bump into, every turn. When summer expires, that is definately a sore thing that makes me sour... It's getting colder and darker morning by morning, evening by evening. Although, the big contrast between mornings and afternoons' temperature can be hard to tolerate, the last ray of the sun means real treasure for all of us. I never like passings, even if it is said that every end is a new beginning. Summer ends, gorgeous trips ahead!

"GLAMPING"

Although, I'm almost dog-tired, I promised myself not to go to bed till my impressions is not recorded up till the time as all still vivid in my memory.

So, we've just came back from Kisbodak. The place where we usually attend 3-day long water tours, where we pitch a tent and go for canoeing. It is relaxing. Entertaining. Constructive. And so much more. Every single outing is a new experience and generates feelings. Feelings in plural. Definitely only positive ones, this time mainly satisfaction and pride and some unidentified. 

Happiness: I'm honestly very happy to hand over the feeling and taste of such water tour to 2 newly got funs; to a Curves and yoga trainer and her girlfriend who is actually a speech therapist. I just let them know this possibility and gave them a lift. They both enjoyed the whole program and filled me with warmth seeing their astonished faces and hearing their grateful words (actually more times than expected)...

Miracle: A real wonder that usually happens on the water thanks to the interesting (true?) stories and huge knowledge of the tour guides.

Beauty: Of course, there is nothing to compare with the beauty of nature. The sky is always the most beautiful above that area as never seen amount of stars shines if we decide to look up. But. By the end of the first day everyone looks prettier because of the flush on the faces presented by the Sun.

Privilege: Rowing in the same canoe with a tour guide and being aware of having a professional steerer is an invaluable privilege and definitely gives the feeling of safety.

Recreation: Rowing helps to empty the mind and make you think of nothing else but of the water.

Mysteriousness: This year, I managed to take part in the tour beginning very early in the morning. The aim would have been the observation of the animals. Slowly, quietly. Listen closely and watch. The golden sayings of the day was heard at this time: "We saw only a castor, but it flew away, too."  "It is Sunday for the animals, too, that is why we cannot see them."

Achievement1: Giving my best and using my muscles with every single palm pulling appeals to the words of praise. Actually, no pain, no water blisters, no muscle strain this time. Probably, I became trained! :-)

Achievement2: I just wanted to add something to the evening and was time to try preparing pancakes on open fire. Success! I made - I do not know how many - pancakes with the greatest pleasure until 11 PM using 2,2 lbs of flour, 12 eggs and 2 litres milk. The remains were warmly welcomed as well by the children next morning.

Honour: It's really a great honour that I'm always asked to be one of the jurors/tasters and decide about the best dish made on open-fire. This year, it was 8 kind of dishes. Chili con carne was preapred by our team (more exactly by Gabi) this year and found to be the second best. Just like the boar stew last year. Another - not a little important - honour for me that I was labelled as a bow ornament by the tour guide while rowing in the bow of the canoe in front of him. Last but not least, it was me, who was able to see every little thing first.

Pride: Matter of self-congratulation since it is me who discovered and introduced this place to the cousins and they not only return with us year by year but also invite their friends as well, so we're more and more year by year and have fun together recalling the happenings of the previous ones. It will be surely mentioned next year that Gábor took a long pull at the bottle containing cooking oil thinking that it was water seeing nothing in the dark... 

Party by Party

Although, it's rather me who should go to party by party in order to mix in society, Dominik is the leader in this. He is invited to number of 6th birthdays. We consider these invitations as an honour, as we are allowed to get an inside view of the host's house, family and the circumstances they live in. It it also interesting to experience the different ideas of the different mothers for a birthday party.

 

However, I did not regret to participate in the famous outdoor "Kusturica" Party. It is held on a lawn year by year that can be approached by boat. 

Another Three Free Summer Days

In most cases, it is not easy to persuade my sister's to join us to go out somewhere. It's hard to find joint interest because of the different age of the children. Actually, this is not really true; Emil & Dominik are all over each other, can play together and amuse each other very well. I perfectly understand that the baby is the first things first and the most comfortable for them is to stay at home but I heard too many times: it's too hot, it's too cold, it's too early, it's too late, it's sleep time... To cut the story short, I'm happy that we have managed to choose the right engagement on the right place for all of us that everyone enjoyed: open-air bath near Lake Velence where everything centred around the children. All of us were absolutely satisfied and felt comfortable.

On the following day, Dominik & me drove up along the Danube till the Danube Bend, till Visegrád. The original plan was to arrive by boat but at the execution we encountered some difficulties even from the very beginning (how to leave the car at the port if maximum 3 hours parking is allowed??, if we get the castle and the toboggan from the destination port on foot in that heat, wouldn't be so sweltering and exhausting?? and our way back is till not mentioned and should follow the boat schedule of course). Next time we have to work out this option thoroughly because this could be a perfect full day program again, since the Citadel of Visegrád became my favourite castle in Hungary. It has an indescribable breath-taking view down the Danube Bend, well-structured and was the home of the Holy Crown till 1529. The first fortress was demolished during the Mongol invasion and the current fortress complex was built by Bela IV and his wife Queen Maria, from her marriage portion in the 1250s.

 

The most interesting part of Visegrád for Dominik was the toboggan. There was another type running on the hill-side that we had't tried till then and that was his favourite.

He showed big interest to "canopy" but I think we have to wait until he reaches the age of 12. This is a rope-way above the trees, through the forest. The world's first canopy can be found in Costa Rica. The idea of safely soar from tree to tree by traversing along cables was to make rainforest research easier. The beautiful nature and the timeless historical monuments that surround  make the canopy tour an unique adventure with plenty of fun and adrenalin.

We also have found a gorgeous hunting restaurant with magnificient view that will be definitely tried together with the parents. On our way home, I was brooding that the sequent towns we drove through have something unique one by one that they famous from. Tahitótfalu is famous from its strawberry and strawberry wine, Leányfalu is famous from its thermal spa, Szentendre is the town of painters.

On the 3rd day, we organized some suppletory and compulsory engagement like vaccination due at the age of 6, some measurement with the district nurse due at the age of 6, the eagerly expected hair-cutting, subtantial lunch, well-deserved napping. As a pleasant end of the day we walked on the Kopaszi-gát in the late afternoon and gathered at my parent's place to welcome a long-seen familiar face from British Columbia in the evening.