Szia dear wanderers of the world, it is I, your roving garden gnome, Oliver, once again reporting from the heart of Hungary. Now, you might scratch your heads and think, “Oliver, you haven’t moved an inch. You’re still in Cegléd.” And you’d be right! I haven’t traveled a meter, let alone a kilometer. But oh, the stories I could tell you from just stepping out of my comfort zone and exploring the city like a true local!

While wandering the charming streets of Cegléd, I came across a most peculiar sight. A group of elderly folks passionately engaging in a game of gateball. Now, as an experienced traveler, I’ve seen my fair share of curious customs, but this was indeed a first. Gateball, if you’re not aware, is a mallet team sport similar to croquet. It’s originally from Japan but here I found it, nestled in the heart of Hungary. Fascinating, isn’t it?

As they say in Hungarian, “Mindenki másképp látja a világot,” which translates to, “Everyone sees the world differently.” This was my unique taste of Cegléd and I found it delightfully surprising.

Now, I must remind you that my tiny gnome feet have carried me a whopping 5230.6 kilometers so far. From the rolling hills of Nagykáta to the bustling streets of Szolnok, and then three memorable stops in Cegléd. Each step, a tale of its own. I’ve been on the road for a grand total of 175 days and you know what they say, “Nincs rossz idő, csak rosszul öltözött ember,” – “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only badly dressed people.” And trust me, I’ve seen my share of both!

As we part ways on this post, I leave you with a popular Hungarian song verse, “Ha az életben, nem találom helyem, A szívem mégis, Haza felé vezet,” which means, “If I can’t find my place in life, my heart still leads me home.” Until next time, wanderers, remember that not all who wander are lost, some are just garden gnomes on a grand adventure!

Viszlát! Which means, see you later!

The city of Cegléd is truly a place to behold, with its rich culture and history. Did you know that it’s home to the magnificent Cegléd Water Palace? In Hungarian, it’s called “Ceglédi Vízi Palota”. It’s not really a palace, but a fun-filled water park with curative thermal waters, a gift from the earth’s depth.

Also, Cegléd is famously known as the birthplace of János Kádár, a significant figure in Hungarian history. He was the General Secretary of the Hungarian Socialist Workers’ Party, presiding over the country from 1956 until his retirement in 1988. A popular Hungarian saying about him goes, “Mindenki tudja, de senki sem beszél róla“, which translates to “Everyone knows it, but no one talks about it.”

While in Cegléd, you can’t help but sense the artistic rhythm of the city, perhaps influenced by the renowned Hungarian composer, Zoltán Kodály, who once said, “Az zene mindenkié“, meaning “Music is for everyone”. His spirit certainly lingers in this city.