Where babies come from

It turns out storks don't just exist in Dumbo land! The first time I saw this, the nest was enough to make me stop in my tracks. Then, seeing not one, but two storks made me gasp. Coming to watch these amazing birds became a daily ritual after day 1 in Ohid.

Do we have storks in Seattle? I never saw one. Maybe the novelty was exciting to me... but also they are sort of like Santa. 

Christmas jam in summertime

Apples apples apples apples apples PLUMS apples apples apples apples apples apples.

 

Reynold's Apples

Day 22-32: WWOOFing in Ohid 

 

Coralie and Matt casually sitting in the back of Arthur's white van. I can't believe they look so calm in this picture because we all felt like we were going to die in the back of that truck, the way Arthur was driving. He'd be caught up in a story of how he came to Hungary, or busy pointing at some property or house that he owned but did nothing with, while turning into traffic, without looking! Half way through the turn, he'd ask, "am I clear?"... if it hadn't been clear, it would have been too late. Arthur's laid back demeanor didn't seem to generalize to the road. At first it was funny to see him try to race other farm vehicles until we were the victims of each jurky swerve, every slam on the breaks.

Forint, you are wise beyond your years. Thank you for guarding over us at the farm every night, infecting us with your energy every morning, and chasing after every apple we threw away. 

 After picking apples off the ground and pruning rows of apple trees that never seem to end for 6 days in a row, pressing cider was a welcome change. Somehow the fact that Arthur and Richard's methods were always not so efficient was endearing because they both took so much pleasure in the work. The end product was just a nice perk for them. The farm's loosing money every year but Arthur doesn't seem to mind. Sometimes I'd catch him leveling out some huge pile of dirt with a tiny shovel (the kind kids might use or housewives who really don't know how to garden). It was cute to see him, white haired, dirt on his knees, and a huge grin stretched across his face, as he slowly but surely leveled the pile.

Making cider was a similar level of inefficiency that at first bothered us wwoofers. Since our ultimate goal was to have a good time, that's just what we did :)

 After collecting the apples that have recently fallen to the ground, they are chopped up by a grinder. The apple mush is then plopped onto a cloth atop a wood board, then again and again layered until there are 5 or 6 layers of manually pressed plops of mush. The juice seeps out of the cloth, but the real volume comes when we crank a car jack down to press the remaining juice out of the shlop.
This process is a great workout. It took a lot of effort to ignore hundreds of bees interested in the sweet cider.

Zach, you were a good student in the kitchen. One of my favorite parts of staying at Reynold's farm was cooking with my fellow wwoofers. It's awesome to immediately connect with other trarvelers. We all had different stories to share of why we were traveling in Hungary, but all had a common desire to get out into the countryside to see the real life.
I loved seeing what we could create from unfamiliar ingredients, one burner, and some untrained kitchen cooks. Sometimes I wonder how boys like Zach manage in life? How can you live more than 20 years and not know how to cook anything? What has become of America's youth? What a shame to only know how to cook Ramen or tv dinners! Luckily, Zach was willing and motivated to learn at least some common sense about preparing food. He became my baking apprentice for the week as we made blackberry pies, chocolate chip cookies, plum jams, apple crumbles, and interesting melted meals made in a tiny toaster oven. You can tell he was focused on his tasks when given.

Richard bought new sneaks today :) They are blindingly white but will only be that way for maybe 20 minutes.

Mmmm.. finally reaping the benefits of our hard work. The last day, Zach and I got to try hard cider that had been made Summer of 2011. It perfectly complemented our baked vegetables and beans. I will miss this plastic table and the plastic chairs that buckled under me several times, leaving me with scrapes on my elbows.
I'll miss the warm afternoons laying in the shade with Forint and Sal, getting reiki. 

Buda and Pest

Day 20 - 22 Budapest

This might have been one of the first times I explored a huge foreign city all alone and really enjoyed it. From a hilltop covered in castles, I could see the entire city, split by the Danube river. The architecture here made me feel like I was back in time...a lot of years. Budapest is much more lively than I had expected. It carries a young and alive vibe day and night.

Thank you, Edit, Sophie, and Nicholas for hosting me in Hungary! I am so glad we could meet up. After getting to know your family over the past year at home, it was special to see where you come from, Edit. I really enjoyed our late night conversations, delicious foods, and playing with the kids. Those two have a place in my heart and I think of them often. Hope you're all well! Szia! 

Welcome to the family, Cecilie!

To two of my favorite people in this wide world, Joshua and Cecilie,

Congratulations does not even begin to encapsulate my emotions and feeling toward you two being engaged! But it's a start. Cecilie, I distinctly remember meeting you for the first time and being almost awestruck at how beautiful you are! I had heard lots about you and was so excited to meet you because of the way Josh lit up when he talked about you. Since then a few years ago, you've continued to impress me with your kind heart, astute awareness of the space around you, and your passion for making an impact on the world. It's truly amazing how well those things align with my brother. Cecilie, you are a very, very lucky girl to have found Josh. He will take care of your soul forever. And Josh, you are a very, very lucky boy to have someone like Cile in your life. Absorb every time she looks at you because it is so clear how much she adores you. The love you both have for each other is powerful and can be felt by peopl around you, too. I have already been inspired by your relationship thus far and I think you'll be paving a good path to follow for the rest of us. I look up to both of you as individuals and as a couple.  

Josh has always held a very high place in my mind in terms of the way he treats others. Josh- you are the most sincere, kindest person I have ever been blessed to know. This is why I get filled with joy when I see the way you bring out these qualities even more in each other. When you are both working toward something together, it's like an explosion of kindness for all!! Gets intense :) 
It is obvious that you will both challenge each other to continue growing as individuals and together as well. I think that it is important to encourage each other to find your own way as much as possible, but support each other too. With a marriage comes a sense of security, among many other things, and I hope you will both use this security as a strong foundation from which to take some risks that you might not otherwise take. Push each other to accomplish your dreams. 

Woah, I could not be more excited and happy for you to take on this everchanging adventure together! Of course there will be high and lows and mediums and I have complete confidence that all of these times will be meaningful in different ways and that you'll navigate them gracefully. Never take each other for granted and treat each other like you would the last chocolate chip cookie on the planet! 

I so deeply wish I could be there for your celebrations. I heard about Sauk Mt. and imagine it must have been heavenly beautiful. I hope that you can feel my presence in your hearts because I am thinking about you and sending you so much love even though I am far away. Please know that it will make me happy to support you in any way I can during your engagement and in the future. I look forward to strengthening my relationship to you as a couple. It feels amazing and natural to have you join the family, Cecilie. 

Josh and Cile, I love you both lots and wish you the very best.

Szeged Bakery

Day 15-19: Szeged, Hungary 

I'm at a cute bakery (the only one in this town but it happens to be 2 blocks from where I'm staying at Edit's dad's place!). The town consists of this bakery, a couple fruit stands, and a swimming pool. Hungarians are big into water polo and swimming.

I'm trying to take advantage of the cheap delicious espresso and treats here before I'm in Nepal where I don't think I'll have access to such delights:) "getting in shape" will just have to wait.I could sit and people watch here all day! Lots of older couples with few teeth who look like they've been through hard times but offer big smiles anyway. Wish I could hear about their stories...but the few phrases I have learned aren't enough. My goal is to try all the different cakes and treats before I leave for a farm next week.

One day you guys, Ill have a place Like this. A place where people can come to catch up with old friends, take each other out for special treats, come to read and relax. Anyone in? Ill be needing business partners of course. This is probably at least 10 yrs down the road but who knows really?  I'm just now starting to realize just how UNPREDICTABLE our lives are from here on out. Anyone else feeling this way? It's hard to leave it up to he universe sometimes.

We just never know who we will meet, what experience will change our lives, or what circumstance will affect us in profound ways! Exciting and equally scary.
Hahah this little girl next to me has more ice cream on her face than in the cone!!
Well with all the uncertainty, it makes me appreciate my friends even more. You're souls who i see as steadies/ staples who know who I am and who bring out my favorite parts of myself:) soooo thanks! I feel like I've learned so much from each of you in different ways and am excited for that to continue.

Diano Marina

Day 1 - 14 
My adventure began in Diano Marina, on the northern Italian coast. In Nepal, when the winter sinks into my bones, I imagine Diano Marina and the days I soaked in as many sun rays as I could.

Things I won't forget:
1. My underwater camera is super fun.
2. Salad nicoise.
3. Mr. Big's gelataria... at least daily.
4. Helle's terrace in La Casa Rustica.


It's hard to describe the extreme relaxation and satisfaction I felt in Italy, a stark contrast to a stressful departure from the United States. Pretty much every day in Diano Marina, I thought, "Really? Am I here? Could this day be more perfect?" Ideal weather, breezy and warm, old bikes to explore town in, waking up to the smell of Helle's freshly baked danish buns, living in my swim suit, jumping off cliffs all day with Anton and Oliver, countless cappucinos and espressos, every blissful flavor of Mr. Big's gelato, staying up late playing cards, yoga on the terrace... pure contentment.

Isak is a fish...I miss swimmies :) 

Staying with a Danish family, though I was in Italy, was a good experience for me. My sister in law is Danish and the more I learn about danish culture, the more intricacies I find that I like. Danish people are talented in creating cozy atmospheres. Gatherings have a certain feeling that make you feel special to be there. On this trip, I had the chance to stay with six kids, aged 5-15. Isak impressed me with his independence. Kids in Denmark are raised with more freedom than American children. At a young age, they are allowed and expected to explore on their own, spend time visiting friends, and make their own decisions. I see so many American parents who hover over their children to the point where it seems the poor kid can't breathe or make any mistakes. Until I had my license, I remember having to ask mom and dad for rides to meet up with friends. It took a lot of coordination to make the drop off and pick up happen, especially because Belle Square gives mom a "splitting headache."
If I have the chance to have children, I hope to live in a place where I would feel comfortable letting them explore the neighborhood and visit friends at a young age. I think it's important to encourage independence in children. It will empower them and help them believe in themselves.