I am Iva Bruhova from the Czech Republic and I would like to familiarize you with the Hungarian meeting I attended. It took place in Tiszafured during 5th to 9th of June 1998. Seven countries participated: Belorussia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovakia. Each country was represented by six students and one teacher. It was a great and yet very knowledgeable time.
It all began in the Baltic countries where a bus leaving Estonia the 4th of June picked up students and teachers of I*EARN to reach Hungary. My Czech friends from Cesky Krumlov, Brno, and Kralupy arrived to Brno that day at night.
Early morning on the 5th of June we were woken up. The bus had arrived! We, the Czechs, as the last people to come up ‘on board’ the Estonian bus, started out the 10-hour journey to Tiszafured. Unfortunately, we had a slight delay and instead of 13:00 we came at 17:00, but that didn’t matter because the rest of the day was off. We could cool down in the lake.
What everyone noticed on the first day and the next few days was the huge amount of ‘hungry Hungarian’ mosquitoes!!
We were divided into two groups the next day (6th). Group A was canoeing and analyzing water samples from the river and lake. Group B was collecting living organisms in the water and then examining them under microscopes. On Sunday (7th) the two groups changed in the activities.
I was in group A. We first canoed on Saturday, and were directed to the southern part of the lake. On our way there we could encounter water snakes, large birds, fish, also different types of water plants as lotus and iris. However, this first canoe trip was quite tiring and unluckily many of us were sunburn. After lunch we measured pH, Fe, Cl, PO4, etc. of the water samples. This was interesting for me, because I enjoy chemistry and biology. Now, I could see how chemicals in water are measured.
Sunday was a relaxing day for Group A, we took water samples from the shore. Together there were about 8 different samples: water on the surface, water from 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, the bottom, etc. Then we put the samples under microscopes and analyzed them. Again, this was very exciting for me as a biologist, because I was very pleased with myself when I could recognize some of the microscopical creatures. We also curiously examined a mosquito and a fly! Some of the students decided to go canoeing in the afternoon. Everyone had a lot of energy so the trip was much more pleasant than the one a day ago. This time we investigated the northern part of the lake and took a special short-cut, called ‘the mosquito land’, the way back.
On Monday (8th) we were able to go for a trip to Hortobagy. It was quite confusing in the bus, therefore in my case I stayed in the camp and went canoeing again. What I have heard from the others about Hortobagy, they said that it was a very entertaining trip, but they tried to describe it less interesting so I would not be disappointed.
After lunch, the ones who decided went to the town by bus. Here I bought a lovely and typical Hungarian vase. Also I wanted to buy wine, however I was short of money, but many friends bought special Hungarian wine.
Monday was the last day we spent in this camp, therefore we had to end it….. First, there was a bombfire where everyone started to take group pictures. Afterwards, there was a disco. Thanks to the organization of Czechs and the skillness, hardwork, talent, and effort of Slovaks, a fantastic disco began at 9 p.m. Thank you, Slovaks. The disco was fun: everyone got a sweet Cola-shower, we celebrated two people’s birthday, and at last the disco ended the next day at 3:00 in the morning. Some of us just went to bed and the others stayed up and talked. During the night, a refreshing storm started, which was quite needed over the couple of hot and humid days we had.
In a few hours, the saddest part of the Hungarian meeting began: saying good- byes to our new friends. I am very happy I was a part of this meeting. Now, I am much richer in friends, experiences, and memories.
Last, I would like to thank Istvan Szabo, the Hungarian coordinator, who managed something like this to happen. Iva