{"id":6952,"date":"2024-12-29T05:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-29T03:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laszlo8360.com\/?p=6952"},"modified":"2025-02-05T20:10:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T18:10:00","slug":"weekend-at-lake-balaton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laszlo8360.com\/en\/weekend-at-lake-balaton\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekend at Lake Balaton"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A weekend began with mulled wine and a l\u00e1ngos, followed by reflections on luxury hotels. The scent of paprik\u00e1s krumpli and t\u00far\u00f3s t\u00e9szta brought back childhood memories, as old places revealed new stories. The closing thought: solving problems starts with calling them by their name.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Friday:<\/strong>
<\/strong> A long walk along Lake Balaton. I adore the old bathhouse hidden behind the tiny reeds.
At the main square, no one and nothing is trying to snatch the mulled wine from my hands today, so I even indulge in a l\u00e1ngos. Starting next week, I\u2019ll rarely have such treats again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday:<\/strong>
<\/strong> Thirty years ago, the stretch between two ports on the lakefront was a protected natural area. Today, it\u2019s a row of brand-new hotels and luxury apartments.
This lake is the size of Lake Geneva, and I cling to the hope they take it seriously here, as they do in Geneva:
the lake belongs to everyone,
and you can walk along its entire shore.
In the massive sauna area of the new hotel, I\u2019m delighted to find the staff are excellent: kind, helpful, attentive. With the regal view of the open water, this truly feels like European luxury. Of course, the prices are steep too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday:<\/strong>
<\/strong> I wake up to the smell of paprik\u00e1s krumpli; it seems my father remembered me telling him that no other country makes this dish.
In the morning, on my way back from the store, I stop by a caf\u00e9 for a coffee. I\u2019m surprised when they tell me they\u2019re about to close.
\u2013 But isn\u2019t there enough business from alcoholics to keep a 24\/7 bar open?
\u2013 What planet are you from?!
\u2013 Twenty-five years ago, when I lived here, this was the place to play billiards.
\u2013 Alcoholics buy their drinks at discount stores and drink at home. The young folks go into town. Now, people only come here for coffee in the mornings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At noon, I prepare t\u00far\u00f3s t\u00e9szta. Now, this is a type of cheese you won\u2019t find anywhere else.
Afterward, I tidy up the apartment one last time before setting off on Monday.
In the evening, I have dinner at my sister\u2019s house and play with her little girl, who, naturally, refuses to go to bed again tonight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I found a few notes from the past three days:
“We reject everyone, even ourselves.” \u2013 Gergely Litkai, a leading comedian at Comedy TV.
In the 20th century, he\u2019d be considered a cool guy; in the era where today\u2019s children are growing up, he\u2019s seen as a harsh character.
I don\u2019t want to defend him; I want to support him. But until we name the problems, whatever happens will just be spreading the mess around.
December 29, 2024.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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