Tata
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 169: “A gnome’s perspective: It’s 15.83°C in Tata, but feels like 15.17°C to my stone-cold cheeks! Overcast clouds hang about, making the sky as grey as my garden gnome pants. Humidity at 65% – I’m not sweating, you’re sweating! And the wind at 6.95 m/s, it’s like a gnome-sized hurricane! At least my hat is staying put… for now. Tata weather, you’re a tough one, but Oliver the gnome is tougher!”
Gnome Away From Home: Hungarian Rambles
As I waddled my way through the charming countryside, I was struck by something truly fascinating. The Hungarian tradition of Tüzes jókedv, which translates to “Fiery Good Mood”. It’s a concept that encapsulates the Hungarian spirit of resilience and optimism, despite the odds. It’s about finding joy in the simplest things, even in the face of adversity. It’s like me, traveling gnome, always maintaining my grumpily optimistic spirit, no matter the potholes on the road!
But let’s circle back to my journey. I set off from the fortress town of Komárom, crossing the sublime Danube river, which is quite a sight for a gnome of my stature! I trudged along the scenic countryside, absorbing the vibrant hues of the Hungarian landscape, before reaching the tranquil town of Tata.
As I settled down for the night, I was reminded of a famous Hungarian saying that goes, “Aki mer, az nyer“, which means “Who dares, wins”. I find it perfectly encapsulates my journey so far.
To give you a recap, I’ve been on the road for 168 days, covered a distance of 5069.7 kilometers, and my recent stops have been Bratislava, Malé Dvorníky, Komárom, and now Tata.
As I rest my weary gnome feet, I hum a popular Hungarian folk song, “Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt“, which translates to “Spring wind floods water”. It seems fitting, as I look forward to what the future holds on this journey.
Until next time, stay grumpy, stay curious, and remember, Aki mer, az nyer!
Viszlát (Goodbye) for now!
Wandering Tata’s Streets
Gnome’s Amiable Amateur Artistry
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Tata.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Tata, the Castle-tastic Cradle!
Another gem of Tata is the English Garden, a sprawling green oasis designed by none other than the famous Hungarian garden architect, Miklós Ybl. Strolling through it, one can’t help but hum the melodies of the Hungarian composer, Franz Liszt. It’s as if the trees whisper, “Az élet szépsége a természet” (The beauty of life is nature.)
So, if you ever find yourself in Hungary, don’t miss out on the charm of Tata. I promise, it’s a city that sings to your soul!
Magyar Magic: Linguistic Gymnastics!
Day 169: Hello from Tata, a hidden gem in Hungary! Here’s a mini Magyar (Hungarian) lesson for you.
1. “Jó napot” pronounced as “Yo na-pot.” It means “Good day,” a common greeting here. Fun fact: Hungarians prefer using time-specific greetings!
2. “Köszönöm” (Ko-se-noom), meaning “Thank you.” Always remember, politeness is key in Hungarian culture.
3. “Szeretlek” (Ser-et-lek), translates to “I love you.” Use this sparingly and sincerely; Hungarian folks are quite sentimental.
Interestingly, Tata locals use the standard dialect, but with a softer intonation. They often drop consonants at the end of words. So, “Köszönöm” becomes “Köszöno.”
Remember, Magyar is unique; it doesn’t belong to any major European language family. So, learning it is like acquiring a linguistic superpower!
Keep wandering, keep wondering! #GnomeOnTheRoam #OliverInHungary
Gnome’s Delight in Tata Sights
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 