searching for the vine

winery museum
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After leaving my hotel, the one with the soothing sounds of the incoming and outgoing trains, I moved on to Villany because it was highlighted in the Lonely Planet. A wine museum, some wine tasting, it sounded like a good idea. When I arrived there was nothing near the train station, but on the bright side there was only one road, so my only real decision was which direction. Turned out I took the correct way, found my way to the village square where there was a map (I am finding this to be common in Hungary) and found out that I needed to do some backtracking (I am finding this to be common in Hungary as well). I found the pension (think bed and breakfast) I was going to be staying in and the older lady and man who owned it were very kind (I think, they didn't speak English). But as I was getting settled in the room the woman knocked on the window. I couldn't see her, she was too short, but there was a bowl of plums just picked being thrust into my bedroom window. Not only was it free food, as I am trying to master the art of scavenging, but they were really good. I walked to the wine museum, also advertised in the the Lonely Planet's highlights of Villany. I was interesting and there was a bunk of little cells with dusty bottles of wine locked inside them in the cellar, kind of like a wine vault. That was all well and good to see, but it took maybe 20 minutes, and I was milking it. The only other thing listed in the Lonely Planet was wine tasting. Instead of going straight to it, I wandered around a little more. Then I saw a side road that looked like it was going into the vinyards. It was scenic and the most interesting thing going on so I figured a good idea was to simply find something that looks interesting and walk towards it. The houses around the vinyards were of various sizes, but all beautitful, I guess grape growing is good business around here. The walk lasted about 2 hours, and was very scenic. But now I had seen the old wine that I couldn' have, as it was locked up and anyway such fine vintages would be wasted on my pallet and I had seen the young wine, still in grape form, now it was time to indulge.

it looks good, but how can I get some?
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I chose one of the three recommeded places and wandered what the effects after a small breakfast, no lunch, and profuse sweating would be. It may have been the best wine $3 ever bought. Went back the to pension took a nap, watched a little Boston Legal-a happy surprise it was in English and went to bed.

This morning the woman had made me breakfast, but the real story here is the pickle. I like pickles, but this was a very different pickle. It was as if it had been marinated, basted, and then glazed in vinegar. My tasted buds felt like they were burning off, but then again it couldn't have been all that bad, I finished the pickle. Returned to Budapest (I'm on the Buda side now) and hoping to have an opportunity to have a conversation with some other travelers in English. I haven't had a conversation in three days. That's the penalty for not speaking Hungarian I suppose.

wandering around the vineyards
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By the way I have pictures, but all the commands for the computer are in Hungarian, not sure when, if ever, they will get put up. Hopefully the words are good enough for now.