Monday July 21

Another hot day but some change is in the air. It got very windy at noon. Tamas is off to work so we are myself and Gyongyi.

We are off to Keszthely (pronounced cast eye). First we walk the main square and pedestrian street. This leads to the Festetics Kastely(castle).I have been there twice before so we only walked the grounds and took a few pictures. I was having technical problems with the camera so I tried to fix it unsuccessfully.

I bought a few postcards but it was then that I realized that I had NOT brought any addresses as I usually do. So, if you were expecting a post card, SORRY! I still could not use my Hungarian money since the bills are too large and the store could not or would not change it.

What would a hot day be without a falgy (ice cream cone). So I got a double (two scoops maybe two kinds). It was Italian gelato as it turns out. Very good.

We were then off to get stamps for the postcards. So of course we went to the main post office. Here we had to pick a number and wait... we didn't. We decided to stop at another post office in Zalakaros.

Next stop was the lake side for a walk. We saw all kinds of ducks and swans. We walked out to the end of the peer where tourist boats park. On the way back to the car, we stopped for ebed (lunch). We ordered 2 pizzas and 1 beer. The pizzas were huge and hot and tasty. I treated for lunch to get some change for one of my large bills. It was not expensive. Waiters will assume that a slight over-payment is the tip.

After arriving at the house and filling out the postcards, it was off to visit Irma (my aunt(?)). On the way back we stopped for stamps and mailed the postcards. I dated them so that when they arrive, people will realize when they were sent. All 3 postcards had the same address...guess where they were going ?

Next off was a large grocery store. After a quick cell it was off to Irma's apartment.

Irma was waiting outside for us and Istvan was close-by. Lots of warm greetings.

The first order of business was something to drink...vodka flavoured as yellow melon. It was sweet. Istvan offered us his son's white wine. It was not strong but wet. Out came some cakes.

First it was time to see the videos of Mike's and Sheilah's wedding. Everyone was interested but as the speeches proceeded it was evident that my translations would be too slow. More wine helped.

Second order of business was the Family Tree. We made several changes. I took some pictures of pictures that I did not have. More wine... now the bottle was empty. Istvan and I were the only ones drinking. The designated driver never drinks.

My Hungarian was improving. There were lots of laughs as I “minced” or used the wrong word and some tears as the pictures proceeded, tears especially when Jozsi's picture came up. (He passed away in the middle of the night from his 1st heart attack just before his 70th birthday in 2013.)

The evening passed very quickly and so did the wine. We were on bottle 2.

We left and got back to the house about 7:30 or 8 or 8:30 pm. I fell into a deep sleep and didn't wake up till after midnight or so. A couple of aspirins did the trick.