Traditional Hungarian meal with friends

Along with our teammates Erin and Paul, we had the privilege of spending a wonderful evening with Jack's colleagues Ándi and Juli and their families. We were greeted by Julie and Tamás with puszi (Hungarian cheek kisses) and papucs (slippers). Five-year-old Vili and seven-year-old Zsofi then greeted Cindy with a birthday card and gift that they had made for her. We sat in the living room and conversed mostly in English, although the children understood very little. Soon Ándi and Balázs, along with their children Csenge and Csanád showed up at the door with another homemade card for Cindy and puszi for everyone. The meal began with the traditional házi palinka (home-made brandy) that came from Transylvania where both Juli and Andi grew up together. We were offered some homemade mézes krémes (traditional cake made with honey and cream layers) as well as wine. The main course was töltott káposzta (stuffed peppers), which is Cindy's favorite Hungarian dish. It was delicious! After the meal, the kids were dismissed to play in the bedroom while the adults sat around enjoying the apple dessert and great conversation. Juli and Andi were able to share a lot about their childhood memories of life in the Transylvanian region of Romania. Our favorite story was of their riding their bicycles together the nine kilometers to cross the border for the first time into Hungary after the overthrow of Ceausescu. When they arrived in Hungary they bought a carton of sour cream which apparently was unavailable in Romania and then ate it together. Most of their stories told of how difficult life was, and yet of how they had no idea that it was difficult. It was just normal for them. We are so happy to have Juli and Andi and their families as friends here. It makes our lives so much richer.

Zsofi and Vili giving Cindy her card and gift.

Clockwise from left: Csenge, Vili, Csanád, and Zsofi.

Töltott káposzta...Yum!

Zsofi' and Csenga with Zsofi's pet hamster

From the left: Juli and Tamás, Ándi and Balázs.

The whole gang (except Wili who fell asleep and Csanád who was too shy)