Magyar News, 2002. szeptember-2003. augusztus (13. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2003-03-01 / 7. szám
Paying a visit to the Vajdahunyad Vár in Budapest even more to drink. I was hard put to keep my meal down and felt very uneasy, finally asking Lou if they ever engaged in group singing. His cryptic reply was: "wait and see", and shortly thereafter the whole assembly burst into song, a lovely heartwarming session which lasted almost two hours — folk songs, ballads, melancholy songs about unrequited love, rollicking rather bawdy chants. And right in the middle a huge-surprise — "John Brown's Body" a visible reminder that about the time our country was being split by a Civil War, they too were fighting for freedom. Amidst hugs and kisses we left the next morning and by noon had made five stops to other relatives on the way back to Budapest. Traffic became very heavy as we neared Budapest and it was almost nine before we drew up before our hotel. Much to our surprise, Louis was waiting there for us, having made the trip in from Kelecsény by train in order to provide company for Sándor on the long trip after we parted. The next morning György had promised us a drive north, to a Section known as the "Danube Bend", a hilly, scenic area on the Czechoslovakian border. We were a fivesome since Ruth Horn, a Bridgeport woman, elected to go along with us. It was a tight squeeze for five in a tiny Fiat meant for four passengers, and each time we stopped to stroll and sightsee it was to much laughter on the part of bystanders as we three in the cramped rear seat literally had to be pulled out. In the late morning we reached the town of St. Andrew, an artists haven, where we strolled about and had drinks in the walled garden of a little cafe György recommended. It soon commenced drizzling, and the last part of the journey was up a winding corkscrew road to an inn at Visegrad. I held my breath that the tiny 4-cylinder car with its heavy load would make it. The inn had a dining room with a gorgeous view but the excellent food was served badly, with indifferent waiters and staff. 'Turned out to be a stateowned establishment where there is no interest towards earning goodwill and competition has no meaning. Afterward we toured the town of Esztergom, site of the huge cathedral where former kings of Hungary were crowned. The interior was magnificent, as well as jeweled relics in an attached museum. Late afternoon found us entering the outskirts of Budapest, and it became evident we were being followed by a Police Car. Once stopped, there were a few nervous moments as the officer rebuked György for having five passengers in a car designed for four. Much laughter afterward, but we were all subdued as the police were on hand. It was then too late to try for opera tickets (performances commence at 7:00) so we elected to treat oursel us to another fine meal, selecting the famous Fortuna restaurant and night club across from the Hilton Hotel. Another memorable meal with tinkling gypsy music, but in this instance an added treat. A noted Hungarian folk singer was at a nearby table. Turned out to be Robert Denes, and he gave an impromptu concert as he regaled his friends with song after song. Incidentally, next morning as we were doing last-minute shopping, Lou was able to purchase an album by Denes. The last day was hectic -- shopping in the morning, lunch in the center of town, and then back to the hotel where "hostpitality" rooms had been set aside for us. Our bags having been collected at the Hilton that morning, we were glad to use the hospitality rooms once we got back to the hotel as there were the inevitable delays and we reached the airport an hour late. Edit was waiting thare with a family friend to bid us farewell. After boarding our plane the fickle finger of Fate produced another delay, and we had to cool our heel for several hours as one of the passengers had mislaid the passports of herself and husband. Seems she had stupidly put then in their luggage, said luggage reposing in the belly of the plane, and the police were adamant: "No passports, no departure!" Thus we had to wait until all the luggage was offloaded, the woman identified their pieces, whereupon the passports were provided, and then we were off into the wild blue yonder... SATURDAY, MARCH 15 at 7:30 PM SLLadislaus cf/urcb Norwalk HUNGABJAN-IRISH NIGHT Home cooked Dinner (cornet) beef, stuffed cabbage) Kossuth Lajos azt üzente... Music and dance to 11:30 B.Y.O.B. (Set-ups included) $20.00 per person for information reservation call Shirley 203-866-8619 SUNDAY, MARCH 16 Patriot’s Day sponsored by Pannónia Club*' at 3:30, St. Emery’s Church Hall Fairfield, CT Guest speaker: András Márton Preformers: Csaba Rátkay-National Song László Fomwald, piano István Lakatos, violin Éva Latrányi, soprano MC Dr. Balazs Somogyi Tickets:$ 10.00; Family $15.00 Senior $8.00; Child $5.00 Reception: Coffee & Pastry Cafe Budapest Debutant Dinner Dance March 22, Saturday Call: Judith 203-373-9958 THURSDAY, MARCH 13 Bartók String Quartet WILL PERFORM AT 7:30 pm Calvin U.C. Church 901 Kings Highway Fairfield, CT Tickets: $15.00 Call:203-259-6392 Page7 Székesfehérvár s impressive architecture was a joy to see
