Approaching Croatia

Dear Friends,

Wow, the first day back to school for kids, parents, teachers, support staff and administrators back home. I'm thinking about you guys today!

I am currently in Baja (not Mexico), Hungary, one and a half day's ride from the Croatian border, taking a rest day.

The Hungarian people I've met have been wonderfully helpful, from people offering directional assistance (unsolicited at times) to others contributing to the project materially. One example of such humanitarian support was from Maria Turi from Dunafoldvar. I booked into her pension and when she read about the clean water project she contributed free lodging and lent me her computer. When I arrived in town, I was welcomed by some of her family and I must admit, it was a wonderful feeling. As I get further away from home it's easy to feel more alienated, like a stranger in a strange land, so these acts of human kindness are much appreciated.

Another example of such generosity occurred today. At the pension I'm staying at, a young woman working here solicited the interpretation help of an English speaking friend across the street to help answer the plethora of questions I was posing to her in my dictionary German. Samuel Nganigi came over and was incredibly helpful, making himself available at any time of the day, even being willing to take a call during his work as dental technician. I needed to see a physician about something minor and he accompanied me personally to his Dr's office for a check up. He intepereted for me and the Dr. was most helpful and didn't charge me a florint for her services. We had a great chat and she wished me well on my journey and project. A special thanks to Dr. Knapig Rosalia!

I haven't covered the kilometers in the last 4 days I had hoped but lots of the terrain has been on gravel pathways (usually on top of dykes along the Danube) and some across farmland on a single track. Yesterday was amazing, riding 21 kms on an asphalt bike path through the Danube-Drava National Park.

I have many recollections of Budapest as I ride south with the Danube. Its history is as rich as its beauty. I recall a visit to the national Modern Art Gallery to see an exhibit with the theme of post socialist Hungary. I think I experienced more existential angst than watching the movie, Eraserhead. Some dismal black and white representations accompanied by a grating electronic soundscape challenged my sanity but there was one video loop of seniors doing old army exercises together which helped to reclaim a mild sense of well being, enough to get out of the museum. Maybe this is one purpose of art...to provoke a reaction. Clearly I'm not giving it a fair review and communicating its purpose but I suppose it just hit me the wrong way.

I've been intrigued by village statues I've seen along my ride including an occasional depiction of the German Wermacht from WWI and one in particular in Dunafoldvar from Soviet Union days, including the hammer and sickle at the top of an a star-sided spire with Russian script embossed at its base. So much history, so much change, like the endless flow of the Danube.

The pension staff here have been more than patient with my domination of the internet station here so I should end my ramblings and close for the moment.

Happy first day of school to my old working colleagues and greetings to my fellow retired colleagues. I wish you all another great school year.

Best regards,
Doug