Monor
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 172, Monor. Scattered clouds are teasing the sun today, but the 23.06°C temperature is still warm enough for my gnome cheeks to glow. Feels like 22.81°C, they say. How do they measure that? With a gnomeometer? Wind’s breezy at 3.6 m/s. I’m standing firm, though – don’t want to be mistaken for tumbleweed! Humidity’s 53% – half way to me needing a gnome-sized canoe! Overall, not a bad day for a gnome on the roam!
Tottering Through Vineyards: A Gnome’s Gulyás
After leaving the cobblestones and thermal baths of Budapest, I put my tiny gnome boots on the road once again. This time, I tottered 34.5 kilometers southeast, to the charming town of Monor.
The journey was as delightful as a Hungarian gulyás soup, rich with the sights and sounds of the Hungarian countryside! Here’s a little Hungarian phrase for you: “Aki sokat jár, sokat lát.” It means “He who travels much, sees much.” And indeed, it was on this journey that I made a rather interesting observation.
As I was walking through the vineyards surrounding Monor, I stumbled upon something quite peculiar – a bell tower standing alone in the middle of the vineyard! Quite strange, isn’t it? It turns out this solitary bell tower was all that remained of a 15th century church that once stood there. A powerful reminder that sometimes, even when everything else is gone, something beautiful can still remain. The locals call it the “Csendes harang” or “Silent bell”.
I’ve been on this journey for 171 days now, covered 5179.9 kilometers, and visited a few wonderful cities, including Tata, Szentendre, Budapest, and recently, Monor. Now, I’m headed to Nagykáta. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me there!
As I left Monor, a local shared a beautiful Hungarian proverb with me: “Aki mer, az nyer“. It means, “He who dares, wins”. It’s a wonderful sentiment that I’ve carried with me on this journey.
So, dear readers, as I continue my journey, I leave you with this thought: dare to explore, dare to dream, and dare to discover. You never know what beautiful surprises you might stumble upon!
Viszlát! (Goodbye!)
Wandering Monor’s Streets
Gnome’s Petite Palette Ponderings
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Monor.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Monor: Mansion, Merlot, Magda!
One of the most captivating things about Monor is its iconic Ráday Mansion, a baroque masterpiece. It’s a sight that could make even the grumpiest gnome smile! This beautiful mansion once served as the creative sanctuary for the legendary Magda Szabó, one of Hungary’s most celebrated authors. As Szabó once said, “Mindig a szívemben élek, nem a fejemben“, which translates to “I always live in my heart, not my head”. Indeed, her heart was at home in Monor.
Further strolling around the city, you can’t miss the Monor Wine Cellars. These centuries-old, labyrinth-like cellars stretch for 30 kilometers underneath the city. They’re a testament to Hungary’s winemaking prowess, with echoes of the great composer Franz Liszt’s symphonies resonating in each bottle.
Monor, a city that wears its history with pride and pours its soul into every glass of wine. Now, isn’t that something to raise a toast to, fellow travelers?
Monor: Wine, Windmills, and Welcomes!
Monor, a charming city soaked in history and culture, is home to the oldest wine cellar in Hungary. The city’s cultural scene is defined by its annual Vineyard Festival – a testament to Monor’s wine-making tradition. Here, you might hear locals cheer “Egészségedre” (To your health) as they raise their glasses. Additionally, the city boasts of the beautiful Reformed Church and the classic Windmill – symbols of Monor’s rich heritage. The city’s spirit is encapsulated in the Hungarian saying, “Ahol a szívünk otthon van, ott vagyunk mi is” (Where our heart is at home, that’s where we are). Indeed, Monor is not just a city, it’s a feeling.
Gnome Roaming Monor Marvels
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 