I have
often eaten at the Fortuna Passage in Buda where traditional food is made for
local people. My favorite is wild boar stew.
It was a cold day in Buda and my leather hat made me stand out in the crowd.
When we sat down, and took my hat off, she said that I looked like one of the local men.
I ordered a beer, and she went for red wine.
“There
are four types of people," she continued. "Beer drinkers, wine
drinkers, vodka drinkers, and those who drink all three"
"What is the difference?"
I wondered.
"Those who drink
all three do so alone," she explained. "They drink only water in
public."
Somehow that reminded me
of a Loudon Wainwright song lyrics about a skunk smashed on the road:
Crossin' the highway late last night
He shoulda looked left and he shoulda looked
right
.
“We all
like to have secrets," I agreed. "But few of us have them for long.
Eventually we drink water when alone too, don't we?"
"Yes,
eventually," she murmured looking at an old man dragging his walking cane
on the floor as he entered the restaurant.
... I
have stayed in Buda during most of my visits. I prefer the view of the Danube
from atop the hill next to the Castle. And the Egri Bikaver somehow tastes better
in popular taverns there.
"Bull's
Blood dries your mouth easily," she noticed. "The bottle of
cold water next to your glass will help you sleep better after the wine."
... I
shoulda have looked left and shouda have looked right. But I shut my eyes and looked
inward.
August
9, 2021
© Vahé
A. Kazandjian, 2021
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