Today was the beginning of the Borfesztival (wine festival) and lasts for 10 days. There are 150 vendors each having at least 5 types of wine to sample. If you like it, they have bottles to buy as well. Sample glasses were about 1 decaliter (100 ml) and cost between 75 cents and $2.00. There were many food vendors as well and this time we were daring and tried some true hungarian food. The street was lined with picnic type tables filled with people enjoying food and bottles of wine! We arrived early for a treat of ice cream at the outdoor cafe, Acappella's, and then watched the parade for the start of the festival. My favorite wine so far was from Itlay and is called "kekbor" or blue wine. It was a white wine, very sweet but smooth. The same booth offered almond wine which was also a favorite. We were told to try the Szeged wine, strawberry wine, and "jegbor" or ice wine. We decided to wait until tomorrow to sample those. The ice wine we have learned is made with grapes that were picked after the first frost of the season which gives it a different taste. We are eager to go back tomorrow to enjoy some more food and wine.
Friday, May 14, 2010
BorFesztival
Today was the beginning of the Borfesztival (wine festival) and lasts for 10 days. There are 150 vendors each having at least 5 types of wine to sample. If you like it, they have bottles to buy as well. Sample glasses were about 1 decaliter (100 ml) and cost between 75 cents and $2.00. There were many food vendors as well and this time we were daring and tried some true hungarian food. The street was lined with picnic type tables filled with people enjoying food and bottles of wine! We arrived early for a treat of ice cream at the outdoor cafe, Acappella's, and then watched the parade for the start of the festival. My favorite wine so far was from Itlay and is called "kekbor" or blue wine. It was a white wine, very sweet but smooth. The same booth offered almond wine which was also a favorite. We were told to try the Szeged wine, strawberry wine, and "jegbor" or ice wine. We decided to wait until tomorrow to sample those. The ice wine we have learned is made with grapes that were picked after the first frost of the season which gives it a different taste. We are eager to go back tomorrow to enjoy some more food and wine.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Life Is Good
Last week were able to get a "normal" washing machine thanks to Tim's work. That great news was followed by the arrival of our condenser dryer which Tim picked up yesterday!! I am super excited about these "luxuries". It is funny at the things you really miss when you are away from home. The dryer is very new to me but seems to be a popular item here. It works by taking the water from the clothes and dispensing it into a reservoir in which I need to empty after each load. There is heat involved, too but no need to vent it! It does take about 2 and a half hours to fully dry one load but that sure beats 3 days hanging on the patio!!! Today I did 3 loads of laundry and am FINALLY all caught up!! And our clothes are soft again!!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Mother's Day
Today was Mother's Day in Hungary. We went to church this afternoon and Payton made me a flower with a piece of chocolate as the center. We were very fortunate to meet an american family here who go to this church. They invited us and we had such a fun time. Today was the children's service which they have the first Sunday every month. We met a few english speaking people and they were able to sit beside us and translate the service. Of course everything was in hungarian. The locals were very nice as well and so happy to see us. They all loved seeing Payton. One of the families there has their own garden and sells fruits and vegetables from their house. I met them earlier in the week and was given fresh lettuce from the garden as a gift! It was all very yummy!
After church, we went to Dugonic's Ter to watch the fountain. This weekend they finally put water in it. There are speakers around it which plays music and the water dances along with it. Payton of course loved it!
This is looking toward the walking street where there are many shops and one of the McDonalds. I love the large building with the red roof. It has repeating sculptures of a person with outstretched arms around the tower. If you look hard you can see them between the windows.

After church, we went to Dugonic's Ter to watch the fountain. This weekend they finally put water in it. There are speakers around it which plays music and the water dances along with it. Payton of course loved it!
Hungarian Labor Day
Saturday was Labor Day in Hungary. They celebrated with a carnival in the large park in New Szeged. They had a few games, lots of food, carnival rides, and live music. Payton loved all the kiddie rides and she loved the inflatable slide, although it took some time to climb to the top! All of her rides cost the equivalent of $2.50. It was a very warm day and everyone had fun! Tim tried some Hungarian beer, not too bad, and I tried a popular spiral pastry covered with cinnamon and sugar. It was very good! I really should have taken a picture of it but I have a feeling it will be at all the upcoming festivals this month. None of us were brave enough to try any of the many sausages and meats they had to eat. Being that we are still trying to learn the language, we were unsure of what it actually was! Next scheduled festivities is the wine festival the middle of the month!

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