Finally, we’re off! We loved Prague and Budapest, but motoring down a waterway and seeing the smaller locales is what river cruising is all about. The first stop was a place called Kalocsa. It also has a history, with a bishopric created there by King Stephen right after the turn of the millenium (the first one). Right off the bus, we were herded into an interesting church (although we’re certain you’re beginning to tire of church interiors, so we’ll spare you the picture) and were treated to an organ concert by this priest peering out from the organ loft. Bach and the usual suspects.
Now that the Bishop has his residence back after the close of the Soviet era, it’s again an active Catholic town. Of course, there always seems to be a quirkiness about things. It seems that one of the prized possessions of this Bishopric is a Bible with comments by Martin Luther and signed by him. In a borderland of cultures and empires, it’s good to keep an open-ish mind and soften the hard edges of culture and religion. Besides, we keep being reminded by guides that the history of Hungary seems to be mostly that of occupation and a continual shrinking of its territory (most significantly after WWI), one quipping that Hungary is the only country that is surrounded by itself.
We moved on to the Puszta horse farm for a horse show and a look in a barn. We must admit that descriptions of this excursion elicited groans from yours truly. Of course, we thoroughly enjoyed what we most dreaded. The horses were modest in size, a mixture of Mongolian and Arabian horses, and were exceptionally well trained.
Amanda got pulled out of the crowd for a demonstration of precise whip control (oh, great!).
This was also demonstrated by knocking pegs off posts, as there were no more human volunteers.
The grey cattle are prized for beef (purportedly on a par with Kobe beef), although they didn’t seem to be too afraid of us.
These rather odd looking pigs (and piglets) aren’t half sheep, but the result of breeding Serbian pigs with Hungarian pigs. However they do it, the bacon and ham we’ve been having in Hungary have been exceptional. The sort of selection of hams that you may remember from Jim’s lunch the other day is also offered on board the ship.
