Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a shoemaker in Solt is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I wake up, right? Sun’s shining, birds chirping, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
First off, I hit up the market on Kossuth Lajos utca. You know, the one with all the fresh veggies and that old lady selling the best pickles? Yeah, her. I grab some stuff for lunch, and boom! I bump into János, my buddy from the old days. He’s all like, “Dude, you still makin’ shoes?” I’m like, “Nah, I’m just here for the free samples.” We laugh, but then he starts talkin’ about his new job. Something about selling insurance? Yawn. I mean, who cares about insurance when you can make sweet kicks, right?
Anyway, I get back to my shop on Rákóczi Ferenc utca, and it’s a mess. Like, a tornado hit it or somethin’. Tools everywhere, leather scraps all over the floor. I’m like, “What the heck happened here?” Turns out, my cat, Pici, decided to have a party while I was gone. Great. Just great. I’m cleanin’ up, and I step on a piece of leather. Ouch! I’m hopin’ it’s not a sign of how the day’s gonna go.
So, I finally sit down to work. I’m makin’ this pair of boots for a customer. They’re supposed to be fancy, but I’m just tryin’ to keep my sanity. Then, outta nowhere, the door swings open. It’s this lady, all frantic. She’s like, “My son needs shoes for a wedding today!” I’m thinkin’, “Lady, it’s 10 AM. The wedding’s at 3!” But I can’t say no. I mean, who doesn’t love a good wedding?
I whip up a pair of shoes faster than you can say “Solt.” I’m sweating bullets, but I get it done. She’s so happy, she almost hugs me. I’m like, “Whoa, personal space, lady!” But hey, I’ll take the good vibes.
Then, I decide to take a break. I stroll down to the Danube, you know, the river that runs through Solt. It’s beautiful, man. I sit on a bench, watchin’ the boats go by. I’m thinkin’ about life, love, and why I can’t find a decent cup of coffee in this town. Seriously, it’s like they think instant coffee is gourmet.
Suddenly, I hear this commotion. A bunch of kids are playin’ soccer nearby. One of ‘em kicks the ball too hard, and it comes flyin’ at me. I duck just in time, but it hits this old guy next to me. He’s not happy. He starts yellin’ in Hungarian, and I’m just sittin’ there, tryin’ not to laugh. Kids are runnin’ away like they just robbed a bank. Classic.
After that, I head back to the shop. I’m feelin’ good, ya know? But then, I see it. A sign on the door: “Closed for renovations.” What?! I’m like, “Who closed my shop?!” Turns out, the landlord decided today was the day to fix the roof. Great timing, buddy. I’m fumin’. I mean, how am I supposed to work now?
So, I grab my tools and head to the café on Széchenyi tér. I need a coffee, like, yesterday. I walk in, and the barista’s like, “What’ll it be?” I’m like, “Something strong enough to wake the dead.” She laughs, and I’m like, “Finally, someone gets me.”
I sit down, and while I’m sippin’ my coffee, I overhear this couple at the next table. They’re arguing about where to go for vacation. One wants the beach, the other wants the mountains. I’m just sittin’ there, thinkin’, “Dude, just go to Solt! We got everything!”
Finally, I head back to my shop, and guess what? The landlord’s gone! I’m back in business, baby! I finish up a couple of orders, and as the sun sets, I’m feelin’ accomplished.
So, yeah, that was my day in Solt. Full of ups and downs, but hey, that’s life, right? I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Well, maybe a good cup of coffee. But that’s a story for another day.