Hajdúböszörmény

This may be a little difficult to write - what can one say about a town where we were involved in such a unique way?

Hajdúböszörmény reminds me of what I imagine villages or towns may have been like 50 or 100 years ago …
Mostly streets are narrow and many unpaved


Homes simple, yet with some beautiful decorations


Each seems to be almost self-sufficient as fruit and vegetables grow in abundance both in the gardens and out on the streets


Many have goats or cows for milk


Flowers seem almost as important as vegetables

Most people ride bicycles - often loaded with children, produce or milk pails - and at a leisurely pace, no-one seems to be in a hurry


Horses and carts are common, sometimes beautifully decorated


Pubs and cafes often seem to be rooms in ordinary houses


People are very helpful - Katalin operates this tiny flower shop and gave me some apples (we share the same name, though not the same language but can still communicate)


Rural scenes and smells are common (I turned to take this photo just after taking Katalin’s)


On the first morning we woke in the early hours and all was silent. As I dozed I heard the whoosh, squeak, whoosh, squeak of someone riding by on a bicycle, then it was birdsong, roosters crowing, dogs barking and church bells.

We were staying in the most wonderful accommodation above a mineral spa which we had ready access to - so appreciated after a day at the building site. We ate our set meals at a small restaurant a few metres away where Rosika saw to all our needs, and we walked everywhere.

A number of special meals were eaten elsewhere including one for John’s 50th birthday - it was one of the most hilarious dinners I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. I shall relate this memorable occasion …

The staff did not speak a word of English and our Hungarian limited to phrase books, but fortunately most of the items on the menu were in both languages. I think a dictionary must have been used to translate as options included “Gizzard stew”, “Hen soup” and “Delicate cucumbers”. A number system was employed and each of us was given a piece of paper to write our choices on. The dishes were prepared and then the waitress would bring them out and of course give us the name of each in Hungarian. We didn’t have a clue whose was whose, especially when, like Lloyd, pork chop came as chopped pork. Also the numbers were confusing as our 7’s look like European 1’s and our 1’s are ignored altogether. Although it was an hilarious lucky dip, the food was delicious and the staff cheerful.


With Pisti’s help we had ordered a cake for the celebration, so with food, wine, kind gifts and cards it was a wonderful occasion.


John and I followed the sound of church bells and attended a Sunday service, not understanding much but still able to contemplate worship in another culture and how we all trust in the one true and living God. The service reminded us of some we had attended in Scotland with the singing of psalms and the quiet, subtly adorned church.

Hajdúböszörmény has some stunning public buildings and along with Debrecen they seemed to be in much better repair than in Budapest. The high school is situated in the town square along with the town hall and the old Calvin church. Every Hungarian we spoke with is proud of their country, loves their home town and would not want to live anywhere else …


what more can I say?