Learning: Now you see it, but maybe you don't

Our experiences in Hungary have included equal amounts of serendipity and regret. We've bumped into auto rallies, and missed folk dances. We've thought we deciphered festival schedules and venues, and been wrong, and we've found ourselves in the middle of activities we didn't even know were scheduled. We've done the best we could by gathering as many resources as possible, asking for local help, and just being open to whatever happens. Sometimes I've taken photos of posters for later translation through the dictionary, web translation, or, best of course, translation by friends.

At the beginning of our "Auto Outing" we stopped in Gyöngyöspata on the recommendation of a friend. He hoped, but didn't consider it likely, that the Gothic church would be open so we could see the inside. Another church, says the jaded European traveler (not me). Well, we were definitely lucky that the church was open for cleaning. We walked to see the unique altar shaped like a tree with branches holding a representation of the family tree of Jesus. The photo doesn't do it justice. More information about the church can be found by clicking the link above.

A later part of our "Auto Outing" included Szécsény, a town not far from Hollókö. We wandered that way because we'd heard there was a 600 and somethingth town anniversary celebration. It was a Saturday, and we found a parking space not far from the Center (we thought). There was something in the air....utter silence. Not exactly the festival atmosphere we thought we might find. So we looked around...

If only we'd read the guidebook ahead of time...

Szécsény is worth visiting for the beautifully preserved and renovated Forgách Palace (saw that but didn't go in) in the area of the former castle (didn't know that) that forms the historical town centre (thought so). The building, constructed in rural Baroque style (learned something), houses a museum (saw the sign) and its park is a nature reserve area (thought there was green space back there). You do not necessarily have to go to Pisa to see a leaning tower (at a distance, didn't notice the angle). The Fire Tower, the symbol of the town (whoops), is spectacularly leaning due to a sliding clay-bed. And do not forget (we forgot) the remnants of the former castle or the Franciscan church (I think we saw) while in town.

For all that we missed in Szécsény that day, we did find a festival eventually in the park behind the museum. Drawn by the sound of the loudspeaker, and having no idea what was being announced, we made our way down the hill to find that we'd missed (of course) the archery competitions by people dressed in mail and peaked hats, but could watch the horse jumping contests.

We also saw the sure winner of a competition not held that day: Hungary's best set of dog ears! And the matching sweater is very nice, too!