Culture: Spring (Tavaszi)

I had a difficult time thinking of which category to put this posting. But then I thought of the main topic of 'conversation' in two emails I received today from sisters, a phone call with my Mom last night, a Skype with another sister, and communications from friends in Valdosta--all in the USA, and all, in one way or another, about Spring (or lack thereof). I've heard about the snows and floods in the Midwest, the rains and floods in the Southeast. The Georgians had their flowers washed away by rain; the snow has covered the brave tulips in my Wisconsin sister's garden, and more is predicted.

This topic parallels the conversations we've been having here, with each other, and with friends, for the past month. When will Spring come? I'd been composing a blog on that topic in my mind. For us, here in Eger, I thought Spring would be the end of long underwear, hats, scarves, and boots. Spring would be moving the draft-blockers from the doors of our balcony, and opening them up to the open air. Spring would bring warmth to our kitchen in the morning so we could make coffee without putting on a sweater and shoes, before scurrying back to the sitting room to drink it. In Spring, the fountains would flow, the flowers would bloom, the trees would blossom and leaf out, and Jack might actually go to the outdoor thermal pool (soaking in hot water does not take care of the journey to get to and from the pool!).

For a month this has been a topic of conversation. We have been told by nearly all of our friends and colleagues--Spring will come soon. And not only that promise, but that when Spring comes it will come suddenly. "One day it will be cold, and then the next day, Summer," to paraphrase.

I didn't believe that. I've watched the signs of Spring approach. Tiny flowers, more birdsongs. I was thrilled a couple of weeks ago to see the plastic wrappings come off the big fountain in the park. I noticed the draining of one of the big swimming pools, and subsequent scrubbing and painting. The Spring Cleaning "Holiday" came and went. We started to hear the sound of rugs being beaten along the row of gardens by our apartment. We noticed the plots of land were being prepared for planting.

Then tables started to appear outside the restaurants in little Dobo Square--complete with red plaid blankets draped over the chairs, to encourage the hearty. Flowers, always evident at the market, increased in numbers and included many plants for the garden. Seed vendors showed up, bare root roses, onion sets, and seed potatoes were displayed.

Women's boots started to change color--they weren't all black now, but white, silver, pink, and even lace (I saw those at the market yesterday!). The store windows had lots of sales on sweaters, and added displays in pastels, featuring eggs. Chocolate bunnies dressed in gold foil multiplied. WHITE shoes appeared. Sunglasses were pulled out for display in the streets. School groups showed up, touring the castle (they've started charging admission, another indicator), but wearing winter coats. But Spring stayed away, the hats and long underwear stayed on, and snow and frost occasionally greeted us in the morning.

But then, four days ago, OVERNIGHT, Spring arrived. It is beautiful here. The fountains are running, people are outdoors in short sleeves and even shorts, the many sidewalk cafes are full, the flowers are beginning to bloom, the willows have tiny leaves on them. People are smiling more, and couples sit on park benches and kiss. Ice cream vendors are doing a great business in the Centrum, and I even heard an ice cream truck coming up Napsugár Ut. yesterday.

I saw a squirrel yesterday in the park. Not a major happening in my yard in Georgia (there are way too many squirrels!), but here it was nice to see the chestnut brown, bigger than Georgia squirrel, eating chestnuts and perking up ridiculously long tufted ears. Cats are yowling in our garden at night, and the bees are buzzing us as we sit on our balcony.

YES! We are sitting on our balcony in the warm, even hot, sun. Wishing for shorts and wondering what we were thinking not bringing any? Did we think it would be winter forever? Apparently.

My sweaters, jeans, cords, wool and fleece are not going to make it much longer. I went out and hit the second hand stores on Saturday (there are a lot of them--yeah), and found a few "Spring" clothes. OVERNIGHT, Spring has come. And with Spring, a total aversion to being inside on the computer--thus, the stagnation of this blog.

Hungarian friends, you were right. American family and friends--this too, will pass! Spring is awaited eagerly by all cultures for the warmth, the beauty, and the sense of renewal. Happy Spring!