Equipped with a map and directions from the town`s tourist information, I figured it would all be smooth sailing today. How my plans went awry are yet another perfect example of one of life`s sweet little twists: if you let it ride, something better may just come along. The map wound up taking me along a bike track on the side of a major highway. Some 10 km later, the track simply disappeared. My map told me that if I pushed on another 5 km, I could jump onto a small country road that would eventually take me to my intended cycle track. But it meant slow going and cautious vigilance for all the traffic under a blazing sun. I reached my crossroads hot, tired, hungry and frustrated.
I headed straight for the first house with signs of life and mimed my question with the map. Turns out Andrea spoke terrific English and was celebrating her Mom`s birthday. She invited me in for a cool drink in the shade. The entire family was so warm and welcoming. (Methinks they were impressed with my Ksokolom greeting!) I happened to mention my gulyas quest at which they looked at one another smiling. Seems Andrea had whipped up some holiday fare, traditional Magyar style (means "Hungary" in Hungarian!) and was only too eager to share. Ever the intrepid epicure, I dove into the plate of bovine tripe paprikas. The sauce was divine though I`d definitely have to chalk up cow`s guts as an acquired taste. Still, when in Rome...How lovely of Andrea to offer me lunch. The fates had spoken.
So now you are telling the locals to kiss it and they still give you refreshments...how kind these people are :p
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