A Piece of Clementine: April 2010

Lately I have such a strong need to be closer to nature, and to enjoy the simple things in life. What a great timing with the Volcano and the ash cloud - I was not planning to go anywhere far away. With my good dose of exciting traveling recently, I want to be here for a little while and maybe even better appreciate the nearby beauty now.

Writing this, my cheeks are still warm from today’s sun and my hands are friendly smelling of soil,. My feet look still a bit dirty even after shower but they appreciated so much today to be in sandals at the country side so they are excused for being little black..:)

After a very rainy and cold week, Ms. Spring came to Hungary just in time for the weekend, so we and some other good friends went to Csákvár for the day. I have many sunny memories from there, and a Sunday like this it was where I needed to go; sunny spring weather, friends, planting, bird watching, fresh air, noisy frogs, and a good pick-nick. Some outdoor work, a walk, some talking, small jokes and some silence in peaceful environment. May I share my day with you?

the neighbours are of course there. this year I better understand Hungarian so I realise how many bad words they are using speaking to each other. Anyhow, in a strange way they seem to like each other.

I guess I don't have to add that I like to spend my Sunday like this..

In March my work took me to Greenland and India, and I also went for a family weekend in Stockholm and even managed to see a friend in Malmö. It was all in the same trip, and I'm still trying to understand where I have been and what I have seen... such a crazy trip :)

"So how was your trip?"

This would be the most common question when coming back home after a long trip. My quick answer this time was "oh absolutely wonderful". With a little bit more of time, there is of course much more to be said.... for a trip so full of contrasts and so rich and intense in all kind of ways. How to tell about India and Greenland at the same time?? One by one, or comparing, focusing on the differences or maybe even finding the similarities? the weather, the food, the culture, the religion, the silence and the noise, the space and the crowd of people and the smells and the tastes, the sun and the stars, the people and the animals, the colors and all the feelings and thoughts that all this trigger – where to start describing all this?

In words...

One day I was the little sister/youngest daughter/cousin being home for my birthday party, the next day I was an expert giving lectures and advices. Half the trip I spent in minus 20 degrees and the other half in plus 30 – imaging how my luggage looked like...:) I saw icebergs and northern light, temples, beautiful coffee places and small fishing boats. I travelled by helicopter and went dog sledging in Greenland and by train and auto richa in India. I laid down on an iceberg and I swam in the Arabic sea. I ate French fries for 10 days and then curry for the following 10 days. I met all kind of people, and so many were so nice and interesting, maybe that can also be another blog post.... My body and mind lost completely track of space and time but I think I suffered mostly from jetlag and cultural shock once I came back to Budapest – but then I did it for quite some time and maybe I still do... :)

and in pictures...

So, even if I don't know how to tell about it all, I have such a big need of sharing so let’s start slooowly with some pictures..:)