Sparkling S U M M E R

As a resumption of the story about our trip to Denmark, I decided to go on with the happenings and actions that kept us busy continuously one by one in this wonderful summer.

By the time we came home from Denmark, Lassu family had been in Hungary and I had the pleasure to drum together the family members for this occasion and found the means for a big get-together.

Dominik spent the following week with my ex-mother-in-law from morning till evening, Monday to Friday. They made a couple of joint program together with Karcsi (Magdi's companion) and his grandchildren like bath and spa, kid's railway, cinema, etc... Even on the same week, the next family vacation was due that was spent with his father, Juli, Noémi, Laci, Eszter - and two dogs. They drove to Székelyland which is a historic and etnographic area in Romania, inhabited mainly by Hungarians and Romanians. They admired the natural beauties of Székelyland and made excursions to the legendary Red Lake (Gyilkos-tó), into the beautiful mountains and forests of the National Park of Harghita county, to the Bicaz-Stejaru Hidro Power Plant to see the dam, to the Bicaz Gorge (Békás-szoros) that is a narrow pass, the former border between Romania and the Kingdom of Hungary, tasted the famous curing mineral water of the region (borvíz) and grilled local sausage every evening for Dominik's greatest pleasure.

The week without Dominik was much more different like last year. I planned it a bit more stirring as it succeed in real. The beginning was undoubtedly so lively with the Spirit of Balaton and the baby shower at Andi & Zoli, and then I managed to slow down. That week was about relax and recreation unintentionally. However, I should have met my friends on each day but almost each of the meetings was cancelled either by my side or by the other side. 







Coming home from Székelyland, the swimming camp was the next summer adventure for Dominik. As he could swim within a hair, this camp was definitely a good choice for the sake of completeness. It proved to be pretty useful as I expected. Although, he was dead tired by end of day, it gives him much pleasure and said that he was praised by the trainer more times every day. Aaaaand, at the weekend he finally could show me his new ability at the public bath. Yesss, he swam through the big pool with me more times and what's more, he did not want to go to the small one but stayed in the deep one all along.

And then, me and my mom set off, flew till Napoli, discovered Pompei, were away for 4 days and came home for the finishing touches of the Sherlock Holmes themed birthday party.

And then, Dominik turned 8 on the 24th of July...

The 20th

Reunion Countdown

Kids' Dream: LEGOLAND 2015

(This note should be just before Spirit of Balaton chronologically.)
I'm going to write about an undoubtedly pure family vacation. First flight for Emil and Noel and the very first trip abroad together. I can't remember if any of our vacation was such eagerly expected as this one. Seriously, Dominik packed his suitcase even in December, on the following day when the idea was arisen first. Although, the content was changed week by week. And then the day of departure slowly but finally came. What a joy! What an excitement!

Zoli was waiting for all the 6 of us. Actually, I never met such an exemplary host: self-denying, generous, considerate. He organized everything for our convenience. A spacious van (even additional 4 people could have been seated) and a whole beautiful huge house that was incredibly comfortable for us. We were more and more amazed and most of the times just stood in openmouthed wonder. Strawberry and melone as welcome fruits, fully filled fridge, thinking of everyone's taste with more kinds of salad, beer, refreshments, caviar, some Danish specialties, fully filled bathroom, even would buy diapers for Noel if it was up to him. And this list is endless as I'm saying. 

Legoland is only 2 kms far from Billund Airport. Zoli came there and collected our packages so that we could through ourselves into LEGO!!! And we did. Also the following day was planned to devote for Legoland. 

Additionally, Zoli found out some programmes that thought the kids would enjoyed. Like a ZOO and safari park in Givskud where we were allowed to drive through by our own car among lions and giraffes. I also really enjoyed the newly built dino park where we could meet lifelike dinosaurs in full size in their habitat. It was a very nice sunny day full of great memories, including the car engine, too. :-D

Previous night Zoli took us to a beautiful place, to one of the westernmost point of Denmark. We had to be in a hurry so that we could reach the amazing island of Rømø and could see the last rays of the sun. Rømø is linked to the Danish mainland by a road running across a causeway. And wow, what a natural beauty! Really a National Geographic theme. The sand was waving because of the wind, the puddles reflected the amazing colours of the sky and many shells were lieing waiting to be collected. The colours, the air, the sea, the wind, the sand and only we 7 of us that soaked in everyone's mind then and there.

My sisters' went home on the 4th day and the whole house suddenly emptied. Dominik and me extended our stay with 3 more days in order to seek out some Unesco World Heritage Sites, visit Copenhagen, the ancient town of Ribe and the viking runestones in Jelling.

Jelling is not so far from Lunderskov where we lived (closest from Givskud) although, it is of a great importance since those runestones are said to be the very first written memories of Denmark. Two hills that might be burial places, a church between them and the most orderly cemetry I ever seen around. This is all about and the HISTORY.

Staying at history, we also visited Ribe which is the oldest extant town in Denmark established in the early 700s. The long and short of it, it has its own spirit with the main street, the cathedral and the North style houses that completely remind me to the cartoon titled 'How to train your dragon'. Every evening from 1 May until 15 September you may accompany the night watchman in Ribe on his route through the old town, while he is singing to alert citizens about bedtime approaching. 

As a curiosity, June the 21st, the summer equinox reached us in the North where the days are basically longer and now we experienced the longest daytime of the year in Denmark. Of course, the light has its effect to the children as well, they were turning round and round and did not feel tired and did not want to go to sleep. On the other hand, we could well utilized the extremely long daytime for going and seeing a lot because we did not have to worry about the darkness, we could extend our day as much as we wanted. Complete darkness around 12 PM and sunrise at around 3 AM or so. 

We learned well from our last visit that the weather is totally unpredictable. We can live through all the 4 seasons in a couple of hours. This time we prepared with wellies and this proved to be a wise decision because we got showers several times. And if I felt myself uncomfortable at home with umbrella in the rain, I just need to think about those Danish children and adults who naturally walk in the rain without any hat or hood or umbrella and let the raindrops fall on their hair and into their face, disturbing them by no means.

To visit Copenhagen, people have the chance to go through the Storebælt (Great Belt) which is a strait between the major islands. Although, it is quite expensive to drive through the East Bridge with its 18 kms but it's understandable because the construction and maintenance are financed by these tolls on vehicles. 

In Copenhagen and in Denmark generally, the personage of the famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen can be experienced. Best remembered for his fairy tales but his popularity is not limited to children. We have visited his 'Little Mermaid' of course, sitting on a rock in the sea. And the rococo style royal residence Amelienborg, the Parlament and got an impression from the famous amusement park and pleasure garden which is the second oldest in the world, operated since 1843, named TIVOLI!!!

Permission for the build-up was given by the king saying if the people are well entertained, they are not thinking of politics. It's a kind of magic or rather crazyness. The rides go too close to the unsuspecting passers-by with the velocity of wind and actually they can be examined in operation from the closest distance seeing the distorted faces. That was a bit strange but fascinating at the same time. Just The Demon roller coaster to mention: reaches a speed of 48 mph (77 km) on a 1,851 ft long track (564m) and a height of 92 ft (28 m) with 3 inversions. No, I haven't tried it, thanks. Even so a big wow for Tivoli where peacocks are walking around the guests. Grandiosity and history, again. 

Next time, I want to be a bit more familiar with the vikings, want to go hiking and conquer some more fjords and those incredible green grazing lands that sometimes seem to be softly united with the fabulous blue of the sky.

We cannot express our thankfullness sufficiently for Zoli for this never-to-be-forgotten family vacation.

Know Your Limits: Spirit of Balaton

Cycling fully round Lake Balaton within a day means 220 km.

Cycling fully round Lake Balaton within a day was on my wish list.

Cycling fully round Lake Balaton within a day was a reason to get a super bike.

Cycling fully round Lake Balaton within a day was a great accomplishment.

In detail:

Once upon a time there was a tour about accomplishment and experience let’s call it Spirit of Balaton. My friends invited me to take part in it. It is held on the first Saturday of every July. I got up so early (2:30 AM)  to join and not to miss the start from Balatonkenese at 5:45 AM on Saturday. The plan was to move forward as far as we can before the heat comes. We started at the South lakeside which is plain and there was no need to swift gear at all.

Previous day I got my loan bike from one of my friend who's got a shop specializing in good quality bicycles. I knew well that a simple urban bike (the one I currently have) is not suitable for such a tour, so I wanted him to renew my ancient MB that wasn’t in use in the last 20 years or so. Once he saw it, he stroke his head saying „Oh my gosh, I’d rather give you a bike instead.” Offer accepted immediately. At that time I did not suspect yet that the tour would be a definite event of my life – thanks to Csabi and his trekking type bike. I experienced such an amazing feeling riding on it like never before. I was flying on its 28” wheels with its lightweight framework. I thought the world is mine and could keep moving till anytime and till anywhere, even up to Mt Everest. And this is not an accident. Csabi made a tour riding this bike even till Copenhagen, Denmark which is around 1 400 km far by car from Budapest and I guess it is much more by bike.  

The truth is that I simply fall in love with the bike and I want to have it. New perspectives, new life awareness opened with the try of it. I enjoyed every minute of the tour, although I carried out the second part of it on my own. My fellow-travellers gave up and decided to go back by train from half way. Actually, we still remained three of us: the road, the bike and me. As for me, there was no doubt to continue, I was so determined. We decoupled at 4 PM after 108 km and then I rode through the rolling North bank alone, putting even the boys to shame with my speed and steadiness. Incredible view welcomed me on the North. Hungarian grey cattles grazed next to the path, I spiralled among vines, found number of cosy vineries, wine-growings, wine terraces, wine houses, wine gardens, wine cellars and the sun started to go down slowly, goldenly. I finished by 11 PM! What a joy and what a proud! Thanks God, everything went so smooth although I had neither map, nor professional equipments (like eg.  spongy underwear). My flip-flop was the most extreme belonging. :-)

Cycling fully round Lake Balaton within a day gives the spirit to move on with the greatest energy ever in the everydays.

New Arrival: KITTI

I'm more than happy to announce that a new member arrived into our family on the 22nd of May at 7:15 AM. So let me introduce Andi & Zoli's little daughter: KITTI. Birth parameters: 50 cm, 3080 g. We had the chance to visit the beautiful little lady and her mother in the hospital personally yesterday. Both are very O.K. 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Month of Reservations

Although, I needed to draw on my savings, I’m glad to know that the summer holiday will be full of fantastic programs, just according to our taste and for our greatest pleasure.

Firstly, six flight tickets were reserved to Billund, Denmark. Once school is over, we are going to visit Zoli and Legoland again, but this time we will have company and stay a bit longer than two years ago.

Secondly, I reserved the date for Dominik’s 'detective' birthday party by paying a sum in advance. It seems that we will manage to celebrate him together with the classmates just on the day of his birth.

The swimming camp is promised to be very useful at the local leisure center. I will hardly wait the end of work to go to Dominik on that week so that we could end each days at the swimming pool under the sun.

And I’ve just made another deposit on my biggest adventure of my life. Is it? At least, it is said to be. I’m going to spend a girlish week with Bori and 9 other cheerleaders in the point of the Italian boot, Reggio Calabria, very close to Sicilia.

And last but not least, I’m happy with the conscience that reservation were made for two booths for exhibition purposes in two different countries by Sept and Oct, one at the MEA region and other in South Asia. 

So I love this May,  the month that initiated so many happenings that keeps us engaged for a couple of month ahead.

For 5 Years

Being master of myself, having the chance to go anywhere anytime, visiting places and shops I just want to, doing exactly what I want to, meeting anybody, having no accountability, no hurry, no compromises, eating and cooking as healthy as women usually do, omitting dinings late in the evening, starting the day as early as possible, budgeting my time for training and self-development well, being happy and shining even without any special reason, being aware of the damned great FREEDOM I have, are things that definitely needed to be realized and highly appreciated not only by women living in relationship but mainly by myself. :-)

I Bike BUDAPEST

Once upon a time, there was an initiantion originated in 1992 in San Fransico named Commute Clot. Later Critical Mass as known today, a cycling event that has been described as a protest by cyclists reclaiming the streets.

In Hungary, the last CM was held in 2013 because it was said that the movement had reached its goal by promoting and significantly improving the conditions for cycling in the city. The neccessary infrastructure was built, the number of the cyclists well increased. Though, many people have expressed a need for a large scale spring bicycle parade. And now the great spring bike parade is back. So I Bike Budapest can be said as the successor of Critical Mass. 

This year we joined the crowed with Dominik. That was a real challenge for me because of Dominik (and of course, the bigger challenge for Dominik). He showed interest with the event that I really did not mind but I worried a bit that I shouldn't have had to. We needed to get the gathering place by bike and I was not very familiar with the bicycle roads inside the capital and I was uncertain about the way back home as could not know in advance how tired Dominik would be, how cold and how dark would the evening be... 
So there were some doubts but solution came. A group was organized to cycle from Budaörs to Budapest together and they just wheeled in front of our house so we just had to join them. And another little group joined us from left. Then from right. Oh, look at that bigger group cycling in front of us! Yeah, we all were going there! The goal was the same. By the time we reached the Petőfi Bridge, our group had increased amazingly, even one full lane was ours, not much to the delight of the car drivers. Many many people on two wheels, more ten thousands. Incredibly spectacular so that I needed to take a look backward many times during the march. 
Once the march set off, the good feeling intensified. Being a part of such huge movement is good in itself. Highlights of the route for me were the Elizabeth Bridge, the Tunnel, the Chain Bridge that we could approach from two directions out of the traffic circle exceptionally. Great moments to feel the bitumen under the wheels that in normal case only can use by car. And hearing thousands of bells rung together. And howling in choir in every little tunnel.

As a result, I'm again very proud of my son. He again hold the field and reached his ambition.

Easter Funs

Spending a couple of days with children in the countryside around Easter is a perfect choice, especially if someone has a shepherd godfather and baby lambs are on show. Füzesgyarmat is a place where we and the children always retun with the greatest pleasure. What does Füzesgyarmat mean for me? Freedom, relax, godparents, cousins, animals, fresh air, plain, cycling, big walks, lángos made by my godmother. What does Füzesgyarmat mean for Dominik? If I ask him, he says cheerfulness! :-)

This time was quite windy but could enjoy one of my favourite phenomena of nature: sun with dark sky with no rain but having the feeling it can happen anytime but the sun persists in shining and gives special lights on every creature creating a contrast with the dark blue or black sky in the background. Additionally, we could also enjoy beautiful mackerel-sky.

Easter Sunday was celebrated among cousins. The original plan was to go to Taksony like last year where Zoli's family (Andi's husband) has a weekend house connected to the River Danube having the opportunity for canoeing and boating. This program was omitted unfortunately, but gathered together at Erika & Gábor's place.

Regarding Andi & Erika, both girls are pregnant! Andi & Zoli expect their baby girl (Kitti) by May 22nd, Erika & Gábor by October (gender unknown yet). Baby boom in the family, we are expanding! 

Easter Monday was spent in Hollókő, which is a Palóc ethnographic village with castle above and part of UNESCO World Heritage that's why is always full of thousands of tourists at this time of the year. They preserved the traditional architecture and village life almost just like as found in the 17th and 18th century. It is not an outdoor museum but populated area. It was quite cold and decided to go home when started to fall some snowflakes from above...

 

We love hiking

24 kilometers. This is what we achieved by foot per head during the weekend. Two challenges, two scenes, two certificates and too many nice places. We love nature. We love woody pathways. We love route signs on tree trunks. We love crystal clear spring-water and streams. We love woodpecker and twittering. We love mud on shoes and checking points for stamps to collect. We love bread and dripping with onion at the end. And we love muscle strain in calves.

Solar Eclipse

Partial solar eclipse, as a rare phenomena of nature entertained us last Friday (20/MAR/2015 from 09:30 AM to 12:00 AM). The sun was partially (60%) covered by the moon. In 1999 we had the total solar eclipse. I remember well, it was summer and we observed it through special glasses at Lake Balaton and put down the event as a once-in-a-lifetime happening. This time it wasn't overexpatiated. We looked for different kinds of round shape holes eg. noodle strainer with a sheet of paper or two sheets of paper, upper one punched with a pin and let the sun shine through it. Safest way to see such solar eclipse. Normally, we can see an even round shape projection of the sun but this time a crescent could be seen; thicker, thinner then thicker again, depending on the actual phase of the cover. 
We saw the phenomena at work with the help of a printed circuit board and the guys from the software department were so smart to install an IP camera so that everyone could see it without leaving their desk. :-)

ISE15 Amsterdam

Exhibition slogen for this year: "Re-imagine your market, re-invent your business, re-design your world and re-define your future at ISE 2015." From another aspect, this can be validated for my "business" as well. :-)

The show was amazing again. This time I was there from the very beginning till the very end, from build up to break down like never before. Although, it was quite an exhausting week, I was happy to take part in it. Although, I lost my voice on the day just before the show and struggled with my sore throat all along, I was happy to make (quite one-sided) conversations with new customers and recognize returning ones. This week undoubtedly developed team spirit which is otherwise in normal case impossible. 

Last year, returning from Amsterdam I made a list that I must did this year. I'm happy to report that I did all of them, even extended with new goals that were achieved, too. This trip was undoubtedly about the realization of dreams.

Since this was my fifth year in Amsterdam, I definitely wanted to go outside the country and to see real windmills. A visit to Amsterdam and the Netherlands would not be complete without having seen the lovely Dutch countryside. Now, I had it.

When we approached and the first windmill appeared, I felt something unexplainable pleasure, some uninvited tears came and heard an inside voice whispering "now you are here and can thank for yourself; you planned it and put it into execution". Awareness that made me think this way instead of having another grey tick.  
My colleague Gergő joined me this excursion. He was amazed at my lucky me because we were always on schedule and on the right track, in time on the spot and everything happened so smooth. Normally, this is how I always do and this is how things happen with me. 

During this excursion we saw Zaanse Schans, the picturesque windmill village with its typical green-timbered houses and warehouses. Aaaaaand we visited a working windmill! The task of the mill we went inside was to produce oil from peanuts. Unfortunately, there was no wind so we could not see the true summit of perfection in the use of wind power. But the experience itself compensated this tiny incompleteness. We were allowed to go really inside and also upstairs outside. Beautiful pics could have been taken and it was not only me who thought this; a young Dutch couple performed their wedding photos then and there.
After the windmills we visited a clog maker and saw how those traditional wooden shoes are made. One or two pair per day in the past, one pair in 3 minutes nowadays. Then Marken Express provided a fantastic boat trip sailed by a cute captain and followed by a host of seagulls. Other highlights during this excursion included the famous and lively fishing village of Volendam where we visited a cheese factory and hardly believed the real age of the 74-year-old lady who drinks a cup of whey every morning and evening that is disgusting but brilliant for the skin. 

Marken. I really liked this place. Marken is a peninsula in the Markermeer. Because it was an island for so long, the costume of Marken is quite different from many other traditional costumes in the Netherlands. Accidently I found them on www.beforethey.com as well which actually means "before they pass away"...  

Worth to mention two other highlights that was not part of this excursion but the part of this one-week trip. 
Either of them is a restaurant that we tried collectively. De Kas, recommended by Lonely Planet. They grow their own herbs and vegetables in the greenhouses and gardens at the restaurant and on their own farmland. The restaurant itself is a 8-metre high greenhouse. What an atmosphere and what an experience! We laughed a lot and really enjoyed the situation and each other's company. We really had fun, so it was a good choice, another clap on the back. 

The scene of the other highlight is another restaurant. I met one of my friend from Budaörs who moved abroad so many years ago and finally found himself in Amsterdam. He works as a chef in a lovely restaurant. I visited him two times and my colleagues joined me. 
Gábor not only prepared heavenly courses for us but - as he is very verbose - we were truly entertained by him while eating. He spoke about his life in Amsterdam, introduced a couple of Dutch habits, let us tasting different kinds of Dutch beers and shared the secrets of coffe shops and their attachments. It was good to see him and his life over there and I'm happy to get to know also his dreams and plans. Cross my fingers for him and clap on my back to initiate and carry out this visit. 

Heineken Experience, the former brewery containing museums and attractions, was also a great entertainment. The biggest experience was to battle and label my own. More exactly my brother-in-law's as one of his favourite beer is the Dutch Heineken. 
And what are the 'must to bring' from Amsterdam? Stroopwafels (waffle made from two thin layers of baked dough with a caramel-like syrup filling in the middle), bulbs and different kinds of cheese and then say cheeeese!