A lot of people don't get it, they ask if I'm lonely. No, I'm just alone.
I don't have to adapt to anyone, I get up, sleep, eat, walk, lie down, meditate when I feel like it and I'm ready. It's rare in today's world.
That's when I realise how much my phone has grown on me. As soon as I sit down, I reach for it. So I put it down for these few days, precisely to look outside, to look at myself, and let my mind wander.
Here in Szarvas, on the banks of the Palov’s Guesthouse, this is the most fantastic and easiest thing to do. There’s nothing more special than when a waterfront, in your own cottage with private pool is the man. I look at the Holt-Körös, the water moving, the tiny fish forming rings on the surface, the dragonflies dancing on the water flies. Across the way, an egret is feathering on the far bank, and ducklings are swimming in a line of ducklings, following their mother as she quacks and explains the mysteries of aquatic life.
If I feel like it, I'll go for a swim, or grab my SUP, kayak, and I hit the water. Or I sit on the on my bike and set off on exploratory tours. I don't wear headphones, I don't listen to music or podcasts, I simply observe the world around me and The wonderful cultural attractions of Szarvas.
When was the last time you watched a sunset? Have you stared into a self-lit fire, enjoyed a morning coffee over still water without a phone? One of my favorite ways is to lie on the pier and stare at the sky, watching the shapes of the clouds change before my eyes. It's a true experience of quiet retreat.
Sometimes, a smoke-cleansing ritual is included as part of a retreat. For me, this is a special way to quiet my mind even further, to focus on myself, and to purify the space around me. That’s why my handmade smudge stick holds special significance for me.
If you, too, are drawn to these quiet, contemplative rituals, Here you can read more about the tradition and significance of the smoke-waving ceremony.
Before I discovered this little lakeside vacation home in Szarvas, it was hard to find the right place. I would have loved to go to a cabin in the woods, far from civilization, but to be honest, as a woman traveling alone, I didn’t dare to take that chance. The size of rental homes isn’t always ideal either: a spacious place for 2, 3, or 4 people isn’t necessarily appealing when the goal is to be alone. The small size and compact layout of this little cottage suggest that it’s the perfect place to spend time alone, just with yourself. Palov’s Guesthouse is surrounded by peace and quiet, and I never feel afraid for even a moment—not even after dark, when I’m on the waterfront at the cottage’s private dock watching the sunsett. It’s as if I’ve stepped into a whole different world, even though I’m right in the heart of the city. That’s why I recommend this little „jewelry box” to anyone looking for a safe, ideal retreat in Hungary—especially women.
