Reflection after a Second Visit - Betty Hefner

Having made my second visit to Abásfalva, I guess my feeling about it is the same as it was five years ago. At that time, as the bus drove us down a furrowed road into what seemed to be the main street of Abásfalva, I thought of a poem I had long forgotten about an English village that had remained the same through generations despite great changes having occurred in places not too far away. It seemed of another time.

But that is also the beauty and attraction of the town and why we visit from the United States, some returning year after year. The surrounding landscape is lovely to see and the streets and houses, the stream with cows and goats drinking from it, all together are like a lovely painting. The most important part, the people who live there, are warm and sincere friends, and it is a pleasure to be with them in their houses - and in their gardens.  These are like extra rooms where families can spend warm days and evenings outside in privacy and security behind high walls and handsome gates. The church is bright and handsome and I know Áron and Edit must hold the greater part of the town together as a community because of it.

Since I stayed twice in the neighboring village with a wonderful family, I don't know too much about either town, but it seems that now each one is a nice place for the younger people to return to visit parents and friends. Maybe they also love the beauty and serenity of the region, but there are greater attractions elsewhere. I know it's a treat to visit, and maybe even work sometime in Abásfalva, and we might wish that it could change but still remain the same. Maybe that Transylvania count has the right idea - nurture it as a retreat and haven for people to come for short periods of time.

Betty Hefner, 2006

Parsonage Gate