What’s more Hungarian than paprika? This delightful, elderly woman with her wonderful smile was stringing paprika peppers to hang at the Bakod Horse Farm near Kolocsa , Hungary.Peggy likes to sprinkle paprika on deviled eggs that disappear almost as quickly as she can make them. The spice comes in small tins and bottles and is sold almost anywhere one can buy spices. I didn’t know that the spice came in red peppers that originated in Central and South America and arrived in Hungary via Turkey. They range from mild to hot depending on the type of pepper used. The Kalocsa region is one of the world’s primary paprika growing areas.Another smile.The woman’s face in black and white. Strings of paprika peppers hung to dry.Folk dancing is an important part of Hungarian culture, right up there with eating paprika it seems. This young couple in their 20s came to the Bakod Farm to demonstrate the Csárdás, Hungary’s most popular folk dance. They were quite good. Anita is carrying a handkerchief with her name on it. Soon, she would be waving it about as she danced. I was equally impressed with their traditional Hungarian costumes. Note the bead covered head piece on Anita and the detailed embroidery on her dress.Details of the bead work.And the detailed, beautiful embroidery.Anita displayed her pleated dress, embroidered apron and some of the 8 petticoats that held her dress out. There was also a small pillow.Another Hungarian woman sat off to the side working on the embroidery for another costume.At first the couple danced together.And then they moved off on their own, almost seeming to fly. That’s it. We leave the Bakod Farm with its wonderful horses and Csikos and paprika and folk dancing today. My next post, I am going to take a detour to Hawaii and Volcano-land. After that we will visit Kalocsa before continuing our journey down the Danube and many more adventures.You may not remember the dramatic media coverage of lava spouting out of Hawaii’s East Rift Zone and slowly making its way to the sea, destroying homes and blocking roads as it went 7 years ago in 2018. We do. It was around 10 miles away from where we are staying on the Big Island. Peggy and I drove out to the ‘end go the road’ that passes by our rental on Monday. As Kilauea continues to erupt this week, 20 miles away, it’s hard not to remember 2018.
30 thoughts on “Folk Dancing, Beautiful Embroidery, and Paprika at the Bakod Horse Farm, Hungary… Danube River 10”
At the first mention of paprika, my inner-geek voice asked, “What exactly is paprika” but then you answered, “I didn’t know that the spice came in red peppers that originated in Central and South America and arrived in Hungary via Turkey” Thanks for that. 🙂
A great post again, Curt. Those are fabulous photos, and the close-up portraits make me want to start painting again. I wish I had taken them. I particularly love the one of the lady stringing the peppers.
Thanks, Ray. One look at the woman stringing the paprika and I thought what a wonderful character, full of joy and I’ll bet no small amount of wisdom. The horses, cattle, horsemen, dancers and the women working with the embroidery and peppers made the stop particularly special.
Thank you, Curt! Even a trip to the market can feel that way. 👍🏻
We were at a Hawaiian farmers market just down the road from where we are staying on Saturday, Michele. What a trip. It was very close to a journey back to the 60s and 70s in terms of alternative types. It’s an advantage of being well outside the tourist area.
Off the beaten path is often best. 👍🏻 Thank you for sharing!
Indeed Michele.
I love the brilliant colors! Little thing I noticed was the young woman’s shoes and she dances in them! The elderly woman is so beautiful. A great capture of culture here! Always wonderful! My journey today is out to a priory that I visit. My spiritual director is one of the nuns that resides there. They have a wonderful bookstore and library all settled in the woods. It is a treasure. Take care and love to you both!
The guide talked about the shoes, which actually give very little support and no back to them. Anita spent a lot of time on her toes. Interesting on the priory and having a spiritual director. I am reading an interesting book by the Dalai Lama, now. Today Peggy and I are visiting a macadamia nut factory near Hilo, Hawaii.
oh I just love the wrinkles on this lovely woman’s face with so much love,light and character, Kate. The intricacy of the hat and dresses is unbelievable and the dancing.. Looks like a happy joyful place. Thanks for sharing, Curt! 💓
Those wrinkles represented a life well-lived, I expect, Cindy, and the eyes spoke to a wonderful sense of humor. The dancing and clothing suggested a joy of life, for sure.
I really love all the photos of the woman at the beginning of this post. She is just beautiful, and her face exudes light. What a delight it must have been to have seen her demonstration. The dance and the costumes are astonishing in detail and colour. How wonderful. Thank you for this string of delicious photos. Speaking of delicious, I am a big fan of Hungarian paprika, and have a favourite chicken slow-cooker recipe that uses about 1/2 cup of paprika. 🙂
Of all of the interesting people we saw and met on our trip down the Danube, Crystal, the woman had the most character, and a surprising beauty, I thought. Weren’t the costumes amazing. And the dance was charming, best enjoyed in person. it would be fun to taste your paprika chicken!
Whenever I see ‘paprika’ and ‘Hungary’ on the same page, I think ‘goulash.’ I don’t mean the faux midwestern goulash, which is mostly macaroni and ground beef. I mean the real deal that I grew up with: lots of onion, beef chunks, and plenty of Hungarian paprika — which is different from the ‘just paprika’ found in stores. Most of my groceries carry plain, Hungarian, and smoked paprika. I love smoked, but use Hungarian in beef paprikash. The reason I grew up with such dishes in the first place is that my grandmother had several Czech, Polish, and Hungarian friends. Iowa wasn’t just Germans and Swedes!
I enjoyed seeing the drying peppers, which look for all the world like the ristras in Arizona and New Mexico, and that embroidery! It’s gorgeous. I think it’s what’s called crewel work: the threads are thicker, and the technique is somewhat different than the embroidery I learned to do as a kid.
I’m thinking maybe I need to try your Hungarian goulash, Linda. Could you send me your recipe?
I’ve been through Hatch, New Mexico a couple of times, Linda. It seems like every house had red peppers hanging from it.
I was really impressed with the embroidery, which was obvious by how much I features it in the post. Peggy plays with it on occasion and I agree it is much thinner. The Hungarian embroidery almost seemed 3-D.
Let me dig around and find the recipe. I’ll email it.
Thanks Linda. I’ll let you know how I do.
How did you arrange a tour of the Bakodpuszta horse farm? We will be traveling around Hungary again this summer and this has been on my bucket list since I was a child visiting my grandparents on Lake Balaton, but have never made it to this region of my motherland.
We were lucky. The river boat we were on arranged it. I think they do regular shows, however. You can probably arrange one on line. Enjoy your trip this summer!
Wandering through Time and Place 
At the first mention of paprika, my inner-geek voice asked, “What exactly is paprika” but then you answered, “I didn’t know that the spice came in red peppers that originated in Central and South America and arrived in Hungary via Turkey” Thanks for that. 🙂
There was a smalll, paprika museum on the site, Greg, that gave a great overview. I was learning as I went, as well.
A great post again, Curt. Those are fabulous photos, and the close-up portraits make me want to start painting again. I wish I had taken them. I particularly love the one of the lady stringing the peppers.
Thanks, Ray. One look at the woman stringing the paprika and I thought what a wonderful character, full of joy and I’ll bet no small amount of wisdom. The horses, cattle, horsemen, dancers and the women working with the embroidery and peppers made the stop particularly special.
The embroidery is gorgeous, yes! Thank you for the lovely share.
Our pleasure, Michele. Each place we journey, always has something new to explore and appreciate.
Thank you, Curt! Even a trip to the market can feel that way. 👍🏻
We were at a Hawaiian farmers market just down the road from where we are staying on Saturday, Michele. What a trip. It was very close to a journey back to the 60s and 70s in terms of alternative types. It’s an advantage of being well outside the tourist area.
Off the beaten path is often best. 👍🏻 Thank you for sharing!
Indeed Michele.
I love the brilliant colors! Little thing I noticed was the young woman’s shoes and she dances in them! The elderly woman is so beautiful. A great capture of culture here! Always wonderful! My journey today is out to a priory that I visit. My spiritual director is one of the nuns that resides there. They have a wonderful bookstore and library all settled in the woods. It is a treasure. Take care and love to you both!
Wendy
The guide talked about the shoes, which actually give very little support and no back to them. Anita spent a lot of time on her toes. Interesting on the priory and having a spiritual director. I am reading an interesting book by the Dalai Lama, now. Today Peggy and I are visiting a macadamia nut factory near Hilo, Hawaii.
What a great place to visit! Yum!
Yum. Yes. Grin.
The paprika lady has a beautiful smile. And Anita’s ensemble is gorgeous!
Indeed!
oh I just love the wrinkles on this lovely woman’s face with so much love,light and character, Kate. The intricacy of the hat and dresses is unbelievable and the dancing.. Looks like a happy joyful place. Thanks for sharing, Curt! 💓
Those wrinkles represented a life well-lived, I expect, Cindy, and the eyes spoke to a wonderful sense of humor. The dancing and clothing suggested a joy of life, for sure.
Wow, it’s so amazing to see all that goes into creating those items.
A work of love, Diana, as well as skill and patience!
Such wonderful faces and that skirt! Wow, just wow!
Wow! fits well, Peggy.
I really love all the photos of the woman at the beginning of this post. She is just beautiful, and her face exudes light. What a delight it must have been to have seen her demonstration. The dance and the costumes are astonishing in detail and colour. How wonderful. Thank you for this string of delicious photos. Speaking of delicious, I am a big fan of Hungarian paprika, and have a favourite chicken slow-cooker recipe that uses about 1/2 cup of paprika. 🙂
Of all of the interesting people we saw and met on our trip down the Danube, Crystal, the woman had the most character, and a surprising beauty, I thought. Weren’t the costumes amazing. And the dance was charming, best enjoyed in person. it would be fun to taste your paprika chicken!
Whenever I see ‘paprika’ and ‘Hungary’ on the same page, I think ‘goulash.’ I don’t mean the faux midwestern goulash, which is mostly macaroni and ground beef. I mean the real deal that I grew up with: lots of onion, beef chunks, and plenty of Hungarian paprika — which is different from the ‘just paprika’ found in stores. Most of my groceries carry plain, Hungarian, and smoked paprika. I love smoked, but use Hungarian in beef paprikash. The reason I grew up with such dishes in the first place is that my grandmother had several Czech, Polish, and Hungarian friends. Iowa wasn’t just Germans and Swedes!
I enjoyed seeing the drying peppers, which look for all the world like the ristras in Arizona and New Mexico, and that embroidery! It’s gorgeous. I think it’s what’s called crewel work: the threads are thicker, and the technique is somewhat different than the embroidery I learned to do as a kid.
I’m thinking maybe I need to try your Hungarian goulash, Linda. Could you send me your recipe?
I’ve been through Hatch, New Mexico a couple of times, Linda. It seems like every house had red peppers hanging from it.
I was really impressed with the embroidery, which was obvious by how much I features it in the post. Peggy plays with it on occasion and I agree it is much thinner. The Hungarian embroidery almost seemed 3-D.
Let me dig around and find the recipe. I’ll email it.
Thanks Linda. I’ll let you know how I do.
How did you arrange a tour of the Bakodpuszta horse farm? We will be traveling around Hungary again this summer and this has been on my bucket list since I was a child visiting my grandparents on Lake Balaton, but have never made it to this region of my motherland.
We were lucky. The river boat we were on arranged it. I think they do regular shows, however. You can probably arrange one on line. Enjoy your trip this summer!