Slake your thirst

Pedal Boats, a daytime rainbow,
a nighttime perch

 After a rigorous week at study, it is always a good idea to kick back, put one’s hypothetical feet in the air, and breathe deeply.  Luckily, I had the opportunity to do just that when I went with eight other people on a cross-country jaunt to Lake Balaton.  The largest body of water in Central Europe is often known as the Hungarian Sea because it resides completely inside the borders of Hungary.  Balaton is among the most popular retreat destination around during all seasons for its natural beauty and outdoor activities offerings.  This bounty of plenty glimmers in the late sunlight about two hours from Budapest by train.  We knew we would have to make a transfer somewhere along the way, but without the ability to translate the timetable we relied on the kindness of strange conductors.  Scoff, you may, but we arrived in one of the larger resort towns along the northern shore without any difficulty and noticed the difference immediately.  The air smelled fresher and the ambiance warmer, though we had not travelled all that far.  Balatonfüred is a quiet community supported by the summertime travelers who frequent the luxury hotels and restaurants.  September, it seems, is at the tail end of this season and so very few other travelers sidled alongside us as we ambled down the main streets toward our lodgings.   Every day when you are walking down the street, everybody that you meet has an original point of view. Hey? 

We reserved two bungalows in a resort area overlooking the lake.  We had the camp almost to ourselves and promptly capitalized on this by joining the ducklings in a predusk dip.  The water was marginally chilly, but in a crisp exhilarating sort of way.  Though closed for the year, the shoreline was riddled with slides and attractions.  Still open, the marina boasted a few dozen yachts and sailboats, many moored like dancers off stage, while others spun and jumped on the waves in the distance.  We let the mariners capture our attention as we dried lazily on the beach and sampled in moderation the famous wine of Balaton vineyards.  The area is particularly fertile thanks to volcanic soil and a temperate Mediterranean climate.  Speaking of which, as the air lost its daytime warmth we retreated to the bungalows to piece together a meal and grab extra layers before returning to the shoreline to gaze up at the now clearly revealed night expanses.  A row of pedal boats moored for the season provided an ideal vantage point from which to take in the cloudless universal vista.  I regretted having to arise early the next morning, until in passing this same spot I witnessed the contrapositive as the sun rose over the lake.  

Soak it in