Békés
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 179 in Békés, and the weather’s as moody as a cat in a rocking chair factory. It’s 23.86°C, feels like 23.14°C. You’d think I wouldn’t notice a difference, but remember, I’m a gnome. We’re sensitive to these things. Overcast clouds loom above, like my Aunt Gertrude’s eyebrows at a family gathering. Humidity’s at 32%, just dry enough to chafe my ceramic skin. And the wind! Blowing at 4.01 m/s, it’s like a gnome-sized cyclone. I’m being tossed about like an unwanted salad. Ah, the life of a traveling gnome!
Gnome-adic Hungarian Hop!
This grumpy, yet curious gnome has just completed a charming 28.3km journey from the quaint town of Szeghalom to the lively city of Békés in Hungary. As I wobbled my way across the picturesque Hungarian countryside, an interesting observation captured my attention.
In my tiny gnome-sized travels, language has never been a barrier, but a bridge to understanding the world. And the Hungarian language is no exception! A fascinating phrase I picked up is “Minden nap egy ajándék“, which translates to “Every day is a gift”. Isn’t it a lovely way to look at life?
One of the highlights of my journey was crossing the Körös River. As I stood on the riverbank, a local man was humming a song that goes “A Körös partján, ott ahol a víz csobog“, meaning “On the banks of the Körös, where the water is bubbling”. It was quite a moving moment, encapsulating the serene beauty of the Hungarian countryside.
Békés is a city that’s full of life and energy, a stark contrast to the quiet charm of Szeghalom. It’s fascinating how a short journey can take you through such diverse experiences.
With this journey, my total distance traveled so far is a whopping 5367.4 kilometers! I’ve been on the road for 179 days, with recent stops in Szolnok, Mezőtúr, Szeghalom, Békés, and Salonta. And the journey continues, my friends. As the Hungarians say, “Az út a cél“, meaning “The journey is the goal”.
Viszlát! That’s ‘goodbye’ in Hungarian. Until my next journey, keep wandering and wondering, just like your favorite gnome Oliver! Remember, “Minden nap egy ajándék“. Every day is a gift!
Wandering Békés’s Streets
Gnome’s Petite Palette Ponderings
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Békés.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Békés: Gnome-sized Grandeur!
One cannot simply visit Békés without stopping by the Great Church. A sight to behold, it stands tall as the biggest Calvinist church in Hungary. The locals proudly say, “A legnagyobb református templom van itt“, which translates to “The biggest Calvinist church is here.”
Another gem is the Local History Collection of Békés. They have exhibitions ranging from prehistoric times to the present day. I was particularly drawn to the works of Sándor Petőfi, a revered Hungarian poet and key figure in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. It’s like they say, “A múlt nélkül nincs jövő“, meaning “Without the past, there’s no future.”
In my gnome opinion, Békés is a fitting tribute to the rich tapestry of Hungarian history and culture.
Peppered Pawns & Pious Pinnacles!
In the heart of Hungary, you’ll find Békés, a city teeming with history and culture. Here, daily life is ‘nyugodt’, which means ‘calm’. People pass by with jovial greetings of ‘Jó napot‘ (Good day). The city center buzzes with activity, from the bustling piac (market) selling ‘paprika’ (pepper), a Hungarian staple, to the quiet corners where locals enjoy a game of ‘sakk’ (chess). The symbol of the city, the majestic Békés Church, stands as a beacon of faith and resilience. The ‘napi élet’ (daily life) in Békés is a harmonious blend of old-world charm and modern conveniences, a testament to its rich past and promising future.
Békés: Gnome’s Playground
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 