Autumn fun

Kata – the secretary slash Math teacher asked me what I was going to do on Saturday after school.  Remember, we had 6 days of school last week –not that I’m bitter about it… anyhow, I knew it would be a loaded question, as most everything is with Kata.  Fortunately for me, I’ve taken on a more care-free spirit and am trying to just go with the flow… yeah… that’s what’s happening.  So- I told her I’d probably just sleep, not really much of anything why?  She responded with, “I will organize a trip to the mountain.”  Ok, the mountain – which one?  Not sure.  When? Not exactly sure.  For how long?  No clue- how very Hungarian! 

Saturday during the day, admittedly, I was kind of hoping to avoid Kata because I’m not always about the small talk and situations I can’t control.  She found me about mid-day and asked if I still wanted to go on the trip – I responded with an enthusiastic “of course.”  We agreed to meet right after school.  So promptly after school I decided to try and meet the group for the trip.  I went to Kata’s office – and found out the “group” was just me.  Ok- well this should be interesting.  I was getting into Kata’s little car, having not had lunch, with no timetable of how long I’d be gone, camera in hand and smile intact. 

We set out towards her town, Oroslány.  She took me on a quick tour of the town – it was an industrial town like Tatabánya, and didn’t have much in the way of beauty like Tata does.  We got out and walked around near the watertower, which is a symbol of the town.  It looked very socialist for some reason, basically the top half of a vase curving inwards as it reaches the ground- concrete.  From here, we continued on.  Where to?  No idea.  We drove through the town, and then ended up driving through the woods a bit to what seemed like a secluded area – but it opened up into a beautiful landscape of rolling hills and trees.  There was also a tall white wall – surrounding some buildings and what looked like a church bell tower.  Where were we?  Was this “the mountain”?  As it turns out, this was a former monastery for an order of Benedictine monks- the Camaldolese.  They had shaved heads and long beards.  They wore long white robes and half hats almost like yamikas- In my 100 years of Catholic education, I had never seen monks like this, nor had I heard of the Camaldolese.  I learned in the tour though, that there are only 9 monasteries that served these monks in the world.  The biggest is in Kracow, Poland.  Kata told me that “you can spend your holiday here if you want, maybe romantic” – not sure, but playing house in a former cloistered monk’s abode was not my idea of romantic… what do I know about romance though?

The monastery was beautiful- there was a part that held the bulk of the monks, and then there were 17 houses for secluded monks.  These monks could only talk twice a year.  We toured one of these houses- it had a small chapel, a bedroom, kitchen and work space.  The church that was there had apparently burned at some point as a result of lightening.  The main tower still stood, but that was it.  In the main building of the monastery – there were some interesting displays.  There were some pictures of the monks participating in their work, praying, burying the dead (without tops on the coffins…). There was also a display of cast iron stoves.  I don’t know why they were there, but they were cast in a nearby town, and were here on display.  Lastly, and perhaps most interesting, there was some stuffed wildlife…  The last use of the main house was as a hunting house by the Esterházy family- so there were stuffed wild boars and such in the last room.  There also was a refectory (which is where the monks ate) that had beautifully painted frescoes chronicling the order of monks.  I have included the bulk of the pictures on my mobile me site – http://gallery.me.com/castaffa

After the monastery tour- (I forgot to mention that they had a couple laminated copies of the tour in English – they were very helpful, and Kata translated as much as she could) we took off in the car again.  I wasn’t sure where we were going, but off I went!  It turns out – we had yet to arrive at “the mountain”.  We headed through town, passed some really cute villages – a couple of which were villages of German minority.  They had signs for the town with a Hungarian name and the German name.  Historically they tend to be a bit more wealthy than the Hungarian villages since the Germans brought a lot of money with them.  I’m not sure of the history – but from a Hungarian perspective, everyone has more money than them. 

We parked in a small parking area up the hill, and got out.  I had no idea where we were – but it was gorgeous out and the trees were beautiful with the changing colors.  Kata got out of the car and said nothing but “we walk.”  Remember, she’s got the Hungarian accent – so the “w” is pronounced like a “v.”  So “ve valk” is what was said.  We headed up this super steep cobblestone path and at the top of the hill, was a 700 year old castle.  A WHAT?  It was the coolest thing ever – I told Kata – this castle is more than twice as old as my country!  There wasn’t much to see inside – there is a “hostel” there that you can stay in for cheap.  We were able to go to the roof- and what a sight it was.  You could see clear to Tata – even though we were more than 30 kilometers away.  Quite spectacular!! 

After we saw the view, we headed back to the café for something to drink.  I ordered a Sprite – and then Kata asked if I wanted to try a special Hungarian drink.  I have learned just to say yes to whatever they ask- if they didn’t want you to do it, they wouldn’t ask – so sure- I’d love some of the mystery drink!  It ended up being a DELICIOUS (nagyon finom) mulled red wine with cinnamon and spices.  It was the closest thing to apple cider I’ve had since last year and it was great. 

After the drinks, we got into the car again – and then we stopped shortly there after – just outside the Dutch village.  This village was settled by some Dutch people, but now you can rent the houses.  Kata got some information for me in English – and we were set to go.  After the Dutch village, we set out for Tata.  I wasn’t sure if she was going to take me to dinner, or take me to her house, or what- but we rolled through Tatabánya and then home.  It was an absolutely lovely day, none of my expectations were met – but it’s almost better that way.