A lot has changed over the nearly four years since my last visit. Back in September of 2010, my trip was an exploratory one. I set up interviews with several recruiters in Hungary, in the hope of landing a management position with a multinational company. And I traveled the country (parents in tow) to meet with each of them over a 10 day stay. There was a lot of romance to the idea of working there, and a lot of high expectations. I fully expected to land an interview with a big company as a result of this trip, with my dual US/EU citizenship, intermediate Hungarian language skills, and desperate hope. One of the recruiters was so excited to hear that I could actually converse in Hungarian that he was sure that he would land me an interview. I needed a change, and I needed that job. And I wanted out of Florida, once and for all. And as you know, if you have read any of my previous blogs, this did not pan out. Despite my best effort, it was not to be. And it was devastating. It would be another 18 months before I was working at my new position in Waterbury, Connecticut, with my present employer.
The motivation for this trip was different. Above all else, I needed a break. I hadn't had any sort of extended vacation since my last trip to Hungary. It was necessary, and I don't recall a time in my life where I had been more ready for a change of scenery. I didn't know what to expect this time. I met my parents there, and it was a whirlwind for much of the time, given my enormous family. I spent a lot of time amongst the grapes that grow behind my property, and even more time imbibing on the fermented fruit's delightful wine (in my cellar, the kitchen, the bedroom, the grass..). Much inspiration has come from sipping on the nectar of the gods (my blogs included, on more than one occasion). But it was my trip back home on Austrian Airlines that provided my biggest inspiration from the trip.
We flew United on the way to Vienna, and they charge for wine (out of a plastic bottle). Now, I'm not a wine snob. I know a little about wine, even less about growing it. But if you're going to charge 8$ for a split, please bottle it in glass. Austrian Airlines, and every other European airline that I have ever flown, doesn't charge for their wine. And I got my money's worth on this flight.
The Austrians are known for their white wines. So I started with that (in a glass split). I navigated the programming options on the screen in front of me, and there were several Austrian programs to choose from. I chose a 48 minute program that covered the wine growing regions in Austria. Amidst the stunning views and history of Austrian wine growing (which did not begin until about 30 years ago, after a 150 year hiatus in most parts of the country), there was one story that compelled me to: 1. Try the Austrian red wine offering, 2. Have 2 more whites and another red, and 3. Finally take seriously the idea of turning my tiny little vineyard into a business opportunity. It was the story of a man, about my age, who had always wanted to grow his own wine after his father retired from the family business. He had his vines tested, and as it turned out, his grapes were of an ancient, somewhat rare status, with several other types of grapes in its lineage. And low and behold, one of those grapes were precisely the type growing behind my unassuming summer home. Of course, this man's life of wine growing was somewhat romanticized in this documentary; but honestly, what isn't romantic about the idea of having your own vineyard and profiting off of its bounty? He even sells some of his wine to a local chocolatier, who makes chocolate laced with his wine. I would have never bought my little property if I didn't feel the same way. And I have been discouraged in the past by people close to me when I would entertain the idea of pursuing a business in Hungary, built around the idea of selling wine. The gentleman in Austria runs his business off of 1 hectare of vines (about 2 1/4 acres). I haven't measured it out yet, but I think I'm damn close to that. Whatever the case, it has me thinking. And I want to get my vines tested by a European commission, to verify the lineage. Why not me, to pursue this dream? And if you have a dream that has been shot down, why not you? If you are reading this blog, you have a dream of building something of your own, whether lofty or modest (or maybe you have already traveled this road, and have fulfilled your dream. If this is the case, please share with the rest of us!). This has been my dream since I bought this slice of heaven 10 years ago. I renewed my Hungarian passport on this trip, which will actually be an EU passport when it arrives. Changes in motion; and I am initiating the change. Things don't happen by accident or by osmosis. You have to chase these dreams. Are you ready to take the necessary steps? Am I? I can say that you will be reading about my steps as I continue to write. Some may seem relevant to this dream, and some may not. But I'm putting it out there, dammit. And so should you. Throw it up against the proverbial wall (of the Universe), and see if it sticks. It may stick on the first toss, or the seventh, or the twentieth. It doesn't matter. We are persistent and tenacious, we wantrepreneurs/entrepreneurs. It's what makes us special. So wind up, and let it fly. The world is waiting for you...
