Adventuring!

voltee ♦ March 20, 2012 ♦ 2 Comments

Item: Sweatshirt Color/Fabric: Grey, cotton Designer: Mike and Chris Where Purchased: Next Boutique Years Owned: Five

Here I am, again, starting again! I was building quite a lot of momentum and enthusiasm from organizing my old posts, and passing judgement. I was ready and eager to start writing consistently again, and then something happened that knocked me off my feet for a while. It’s taken a little time, but I’ve put myself together again. And here I am!

Going through all my old posts made me think. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on an adventure. Even now, sitting here in the dark on a balmy March evening, I can feel the world singing its siren song to me, beckoning me to leave my safe, quiet home and see her splendors.
I get this feeling a lot.
It began one night when I was a freshman in college, and I had an epiphany. I can’t remember the event that sparked this particular epiphany, but I will never forget the outcome. I identified two of the secret, true desires of my heart. It is, in fact, quite a Big Deal to identify any secret, true desires of one’s heart. A very, very Big Deal. If you don’t believe me, you probably haven’t identified any of yours yet. You will. Let me know when you do!
Mine were, as follows:
1) To obtain a job where I got to pet a Golden Lion Tamarin each and every day.
2) To see as much of the world as I possible could in my meager lifetime.
These desires were born out of a certain and absolute realization of the undeniable brevity of life. It seemed ridiculous to think of spending any of my precious few moments on earth working at something that didn’t bring me a bounty of joy. And an even bigger shame to not get to know and love as many of the beautiful and unique corners of the earth in which we make our home.
Sadly, I have never obtained the first secret, true desire of my heart.
But the second one is coming along quite nicely!
One of my favorite places I have visited has to be Budapest.
And, I think, one of the most adventuring.
Since my grandfather’s family came from Hungary, I was eager to go and learn a little of my heritage. A few of the things I was looking forward to; churches, paprika, art, a castle, thermal baths, opera, food, medieval architecture, massive statues, and tracking down a dish my grandmother used to make called galuska.
Some of those things occurred. Some did not.
I got very sick when we were in Budapest, and I could not make it to a thermal spa. I can’t help but wonder if my poor bones would feel better now if I had.
But we almost didn’t make it there at all. We drove from Austria, had very poor directions, and miscalculated when the sun would go down.
And so, hours were spent driving down narrow unmarked roads. In vain we attempted to find someone who spoke English. Many tears were shed.
And then finally we realized that the road named were on the sides of the building and not posted on signs.
Epiphany!
That’s why it’s called adventuring, I suppose…
Another tale of this particular journey was told here.
In addition to getting lost and getting sick, there was also a giant fight. And cold rain. But also, this:

This is outside Buda Castle. The statues in Budapest are some of the best I’ve ever seen. Very, undeniably, fierce. And many, many hunting themes.
I ended up discovering that some of my grandmothers dishes were more polish than Hungarian. But we sampled richly the culinary delights of Hungary; meaty, spicy dishes with floral wine.
Yes, our visit to this powerful place was a little tumultuous, but I think that is fitting for the city she is. Two distinct entities in one being. East and West merging and mingling. Magical.
I will go back again, and not just to try the thermal spa of legend. Budapest just has a hold on me, is all.
As for this sweatshirt, this is something that I felt very guilty for buying. A little pricey. But it’s been wonderful- a sweatshirt I can wear to work at the gym and then throw on with jeans to go out. It’s cozy. And practical. I also am sadly lacking in the sweatshirt department, so I think it should stay.