The history of mankind was greatly reshaped by rivers throughout. Civilizations who had access to rivers had flourished rapidly, became productive in agriculture, got wealthier through trade. Think of the Egyptions and you think of river Nile, think of the Mesopotamians and you think of Euphrates and Tigris, think of the Teutons and you can never forget the Rhine...we see rivers were a part of the human civilization. And there is one river which is a timeless beauty and a silent observer of human history - the Danube.
When I first saw river Danube in Budapest (or Duna as the Hungarians call her) I felt a chill. It was the same river along which Attila the Hun once marched towards Western Europe in search of wealth and war, along which great leaders like Flavius Aetius fought fearlessly, along which a new country from the Huns named Hungary flourished.
Danube is like a bella donna - a beautiful young maid. You can see her the way you want, as an ancient beauty, coming out from the caves of mountains, walking stealthily for a hunt, or as a medieval dame, galloping down from the hills or as a modern age beauty - proud and trendy.
And I madly fell in love with her.
Whenever I walked down her shores I always felt I wasn't alone. I wasn't fortunate enough to have ridden with the Huns but atleast I had Danube by my side to tell me their stories. Walking by her side in the evening, listening to her rhythmic song, watching the lights on the chain bridge made me feel as if I was in trance. I could hear her whispering to me to walk with her and see where her home is and where she goes........
I was possessed !!!!!
The day I left Budapest I saw my Duna for one last time. She was sparkling in sunlight like a girl covered with jewels. I kneeled down by her and kissed her.
She promised to carry my tears to the ocean.....!!!!!
