Читать книгу Walking in Hungary. 32 routes through upland areas онлайн

33 страница из 60

Ticks

Walking in Hungary is relatively safe, but as with most of Central Europe its forests and meadows are a haven for ticks (kullancs), which attach themselves to the undergrowth waiting for a host to pass by. The bite is painless, but an attached tick must be removed promptly and with care so as not to increase the risk of infection. Ticks are active in Hungary from April until the first frost, which can be as late as November, but the main season is May and June. The risk of contracting disease is low for the walker who follows well-beaten trails, uses a DEET insect repellent, and does not wild camp, but if spending a long time in the hills it may be worthwhile getting vaccinated against encephalitis. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics if caught at an early stage, although vaccination is available in the USA.

Dogs

In rural Hungary dogs are not pets but inexpensive alarms, and most houses have a sign on the gate: Harapós a kutya! or Vigyázz! A kutya harap! (Beware of the Dog). Every garden dog feels it is its duty to bark, howl and snarl at any stranger, and once the first dog starts a chain reaction sets in until the whole village is in commotion. Villagers seem to be impervious to the racket but it is unsettling for the first-time walker in Central Europe. Fortunately the brutes are usually safely locked behind garden gates and it is rare to see feral dogs wandering around the countryside. If confronted by an overzealous village defender that has slipped its chain a threatening swipe with a stick or well-aimed stone should be enough to send it on its way.