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Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Husband Pieter's 1974 Visit to Esztergom, Hungary during Communism

During the Fall of 1974, Pieter and his best friend Harry Hollander did drive from The Netherlands, through Germany, Austria into Hungary, with wives and adopted daughter Liz.
For many years Pieter had scientist friends in the mushroom business in Hungary but for them it was nearly impossible to get out of the country for attending any meeting or lecture.
Any conversation, they had to do inside his friend Imre Koronczy's car; out of fear that inside a restaurant they could be 'listened to'... 
On a terras with the Esztergom Basilica in the back.
The largest Church within Hungary.
Hungary's Largest Church-Esztergom Basilica and Treasury (With Facts/Figures) click link for more info via video.
József Cardinal Mindszenty was the Prince Primate, Archbishop of Esztergom, cardinal, and leader of the Catholic Church in Hungary from 2 October 1945 to 18 December 1973.
More about him in a later post...
Esztergom was the Capitol in the 13th Century and the residence for the Royals.
Múzeum Cukrászda Espresso
This seems still to be in operation on address: Batthyány Lajos út 1., Esztergom 2500, Hungary
Right on the Danube River and that is also the border line with Slovakia.
Back in 1974 during communism, there was ONLY local produce on the market!
Such as here the Jonathan apples, pears, grapes.
Hungary is known for its Paprikas and also Tomatoes.
In the US they say bell peppers...
Imre Koronczy was Pieter's scientist friend whom he helped often for sending him an official invitation so he could attend important lectures outside of Hungary. His wife then was not allowed to travel with him; out of fear they would never return  back to Hungary...
Right at the bottom of this screenshot, google search for Imre Koronczy, Budapest, you can also read my husband's name P.J.C. Vedder with the title of his English book: Modern Mushroom Growing, first printed by Educabook in The Netherlands and next by Stanley Thornes, Cheltenham (England)...

Very meaningful relationship and by the way, Pieter's adopted daughter got to travel a lot with her Daddy!

Next is about a trip we made together, also by rental car driving from The Netherlands...
Stay tuned.
~~☼~~
Thanks for your visit and comment!

Related link:
My 2nd Trip with Husband Pieter to Budapest in FREE Hungary | On my 2nd trip we did visit this Estergom Basilica

24 comments:

  1. Dearest Mariette,
    so great to see those pctures and see, this market, filled only with local products!
    Thank you for sharing!
    Wishing you and Pieter a wonderful rest of the week!
    Lots of Love, Claudia xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Claudia,
      You think that was great that the people never ever could buy oranges, bananas and such while being under communism? They ONLY had their local fruits and vegetables...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. Liebe Mariette,

    herzlichen Dank für deinen interessaanten Post.

    Sonnige Grüße
    Elisabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Elisabeth,
      Ja, interessant ist es sicher um mal wieder auf diese Zeit zurück zu schauen.
      Liebe Grüße,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. Hello Mariette, It must have taken some bravery to enter a Communist country during that era. That produce may have been locally grown, but the Hungarians obviously appreciated Jonathan apples, which originated in 19th century New York. They are one of my favorite varieties, and these days it is amazing to find such a high-quality apple in wide distribution. They are mostly available in the fall, and so I have not had any for many years!
    --Jim

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      Yes, it sure took some bravery for entering any Communist country as you never knew for certain what would happen.
      You have a fondness for apples and so do I, having cleaned house after school hours and beside my first job, for a big apple producer. My favorite was the Lombarts Calville! Also the Cox Orange Pippin and the Golden Delicious. My Parents often bought some crates with Golden Delicious and Jonathan! That was our fruit consumption for winter time. Happy memories and I guess it was a healthier time too.
      Hope that one of these days you get a chance for eating your beloved Jonathan again!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
    2. Hello again, Always on the lookout for new apple recommendations, I looked up Lombarts Calville, which I assumed was a descendant of the famous French apple, Calville Blanc D'Hiver. Most of the references to Lombarts Calville were in Dutch, so I figured it must be a local development, and I found out that it was "raised in 1906 by P. Lombarts, Zundert, The Netherlands. It was introduced by the Lombarts family in 1911." They have a tree of it in the English National Collection at Brogdale. I hope to get the chance one day to try out this acclaimed variety!
      --Jim

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    3. Dearest Jim,
      Yes, Zundert is from the South of The Netherlands from Brabant, just adjacent to the province where I grew up.
      Just hoping that you once get to taste this very special apple. It always had a kind of a natural, waxy skin and very special taste.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. Hello,Mariette.
    It is wonderful to see that local products are sold in their market!
    Such a rich fruits!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tomoko,
      Yes it sure is and also sad for that time that these suppressed countries never could have any tropical fruits like we could at that time...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. It is amazing that you two have all these photos from the past and are able to document the memories that go along with them. So much interesting history.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tammy,
      Not all from the past got saved... but this was one highlight and Pieter went with his best friend who died way too early...
      The history sure is interesting and we all could learn from it!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  6. Very brave of Pieter to visit a communist country. Nice to have the photos to remember those times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Sami,
      That's what you do for a good scientist friend who otherwise would completely be trapped within the system.
      Let's all pray that never again people have to live through such times, like now in Venezuela...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. Hungry looks like a charming country despite the time of communism at the time of Pieter's visit. I wonder if I'll make it to either Hungry or its neighboring countries. There are many countries I have yet to see. You and Peiter are well traveled, indeed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Debbie,
      Were you snacking on something while writing this reply as you mix up Hungary with 'hungry'...?
      It is a lovely country and especially its music and culture. You will get to see more of it in coming posts.
      But this was not about travel as such but about visiting a scientist friend and helping each other, not to be confused with tourism!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. It's wonderful your husband Pieter kept friends with those scientists in Hungry during such period. He is very brave and kind to help his friend attend lectures outside the country. This was a very interesting post.

    Have a great weekend, Mariette!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tamago,
      That's what true friends do and it would be very much appreciated if it happened the other way around. We all have to appreciate our Freedom!
      Thank you for your words.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  9. I once had the opportunity to go to a Country not "on the list" but we really couldn't, as whom we were representing would not have approved, in a manner of speaking. So as much as we wished we could go in just for a short time..we could not bring ourselves to do so. It was very kind of your husband to do as he did. That does not surprise me at all...knowing the two of you.
    XOX

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Katie Isabella,
      Thank you for your words here and yes, at times it is tough for wanting to go someplace but not being allowed to.
      Life can take us to surprising directions and meeting different people, we always tried to do the very best we could.
      Meeting so many people with whom we exchanged knowledge, despite their very restricted human freedom, has enriched our lives!
      In the end, that is all what counts... for leaving a mark. Such deep friendships outweigh earthly riches.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  10. Dear Mariette,

    I loved seeing your photos of Hungary and looks like a beautiful place. The produce looks very good all the tomatoes and peppers. Thanks for sharing your travels and always interesting to see other places and countries.
    Hope you are enjoying the weekend and having some lovely spring days.
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Carolyn,
      Those were husband Pieter's photos and it was more about meeting with his scientist colleagues than travel...
      The produce sure looked good, all local as they had absolutely no access to any imported tropical fruits under the communist regime. Sad.
      Happy new week to you and yes, spring is in full swing here and already quite warm with 34ºC.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. Ein Ausflug in eine andere Zeit. Danke, dass Du diese Bilder mit uns teilst, liebe Mariette. Ich hoffe, dass die Google-Blogs immer erhalten bleiben, denn das sind wertvolle Zeitgeschichtliche Dokumente. Es wäre schade drum. Ich habe schon ganze Blogsysteme über Nacht verschwinden gesehen. Daher werde ich irgendwann doch auf eine eigene Domain umsteigen. Nur zur Zeit möchte ich die Natur genießen. Für einen Blog-Umzug ist die schlechte Jahreszeit besser ...

    Liebe Grüße
    Sara

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    Replies
    1. Liebe Sara,
      Ja es ist wirklich eine andere und historische Zeit. Meine Blogs sind ja alle immer gespeichert also kann ich sie wieder aufs neu einstellen wenn nötig.
      Ganz liebe Grüße,
      Mariette

      Delete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...