I was only supposed to be passing through. After a meeting, I had an hour and a half to spare before my train, and my plan was simple. Find somewhere to sit, catch up on the news on my phone, and head to the station. The last time I had been to Kiskunfélegyháza was twenty years ago, and even then, I had only stopped to change trains.
I turned onto Kossuth Lajos Street almost by chance. The first thing I noticed was the cool air. Towering plane trees stretched their branches overhead, forming a leafy green canopy that shaded the entire street. These trees had been here since my grandparents were young, and thankfully, they had been left standing.
But there was plenty that was new, too. As I walked along, I noticed how smoothly and quietly my suitcase rolled over the even, well-maintained pavement. Flowerbeds filled with perennials lined the street, adding splashes of colour to the greenery even in late summer. I later learned that the plants had been carefully selected to bring something different to the streetscape in every season. I imagine the street must look completely different in spring.
Under one of the trees, I found a new bench. I put down my bag and, instead of reaching for my phone, simply sat and watched the world go by. An elderly couple strolled past, holding hands. Nearby, two young boys were drinking from a newly installed water fountain, laughing as they splashed each other. No one seemed to mind. A cyclist rang his bell softly and rode around the pedestrians without a fuss. Somehow, on this street, everyone seemed to have both time and space to spare.
It struck me how much difference a few thoughtful improvements could make. A bench in just the right spot, a drinking fountain, a slightly wider pavement. Curious, I looked into it and discovered that the transformation was part of a major EU-funded urban development project. New green spaces, pedestrian-friendly areas and street furniture designed to complement the city’s character had given Kossuth Lajos Street a fresh look and feel. The result was a street that people no longer simply passed through, but one where they might actually want to spend some time.
As my train’s departure drew closer, I almost regretted having to leave. At the end of the street, I turned for one last look. The new streetlights were beginning to glow warmly in the fading evening light, casting long shadows across the pavement.
I made myself a promise. Next time, I wouldn’t come to Kiskunfélegyháza just to change trains.
I’d come to stay a while.
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