A place of solitude and reflection: Kálvária Templom

The countdown until I leave the beautiful city of Kőszeg, situated at the foot of the Austrian Alps on the border of Hungary and Austria, has begun.

Since September of last year where I have been working on my MA in International Economic Relations at ISES-Corvinus University of Budapest, I am scheduled to head back to Toronto on July 20th to finish writing and researching my dissertation. Once there, I am not too sure where the road will take me. But if the journey ahead is anything like the past year, I am certainly looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I am working on taking everything in stride, doing a lot of reflecting, and keeping myself open to opportunities. One of my favourite spots to reflect and be alone with my thoughts, is at the top of Kőszeg hill where this beautiful church called Kálvária Templom (Calvary Church) is situated, providing a spectacular view of the medieval city of Kőszeg below. It also happens that there is a beautiful hiking/jogging trail leading up to Kálvária Templom, that winds its ways through the forest and up the hills. Im assuming the name of the church comes from the life-sized bronze statues of Jesus Christ hung on the cross along with the two sinners.

Now that I have a timeline of my departure from Kőszeg, I am beginning to see this city from the eyes of a visitor/tourist again, rather than as a resident (where you almost always take your local city for granted). And once again, I am blown away by the beauty and the historical character of this city, which was established in the mid-13th century, the only free royal town in the historical garrison county of Vas.

I am sure that I will always keep on coming back to Kőszeg and to Hungary in the years to come.

Here is to the next chapter and new beginnings, egészségedre.