Lesson of the Day: Bring tennis shoes
Today we took a bus to Eszstergon. We visited a beautiful church, ate a lunch, and got ready to hike up a mountain. When I first heard of this part of the trip I never imagined it would be as steep as it actually was. A few girls forget tennis shoes and had to climb up in sandals. Surprisingly they only fell once. Our professors warned us that the climb was tough but I figured if they could do it, it shouldn’t be too difficult. I was definitely wrong. When I finally reached the top I was completely out of breath but the breeze from the Danube felt fantastic. I have to give Dorraj and Ungar credit-- they made great time! After we cooled down we toured the castle and saw a wax museum and torture chamber. We finished early and had some time to kill so we walked to a part of the mountain where they had a dry bobsledding-ish ride. We all returned to our ten year old self’s and had a great time. Luckily no one got hurt. After that we walked down to the river to board the boat that would take us back to Budapest. Unfortunately the last boat ride was cancelled and we had to take the bus. Bummer.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
No Shame
Lesson of the Day: Fake World exists in Hungary
I know all of you people were concerned but don’t worry, fake world does in fact exist in Hungary. Today we had the day off and the group decided to go to one of Budapest’s thermal baths. I had heard so many things about this place that I was very excited to finally have a chance to go. They were amazing! It was a beautiful day and we spent the afternoon laying outside, trying out the different pool temperatures and sitting in the saunas. Some people even got a massages but I decided to not let the large Hungarian woman rub me down with oil. To each his own I guess.
This bath was truly European. It amazes me how open people are with their bodies over here. They had absolutely no shame.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Contrary to popular belief getting lost is NOT the best way to see a city
Lesson of the Day: Little Hungarian children are the spawn of Satan
Today I got lost. After dinner a few of us decided to head back to our hostel. We’ve been here for ten days and figured at this point we could make it back by ourselves. Apparently we were wrong and somehow managed to get on the wrong yellow line. Three 12ish year old girls got on the bus right after us. One looked like a prostitute, one looked like a pirate, and one looked like the spawn of Satan. I turned to my right and the satanic looking girl with black lip liner and thick eyebrows was staring at me with the scariest face I've ever seen. I tried not to react but couldn’t hold in my fear. I turned to my friend who was equally concerned and mouthed “oh boy”. We seriously thought we were going to get shanked. They got up at what might be the sketchiest stop in Budapest and spit on us as they walked out. It was terrifying and disgusting.
Definitely not fakeworld.
Today I got lost. After dinner a few of us decided to head back to our hostel. We’ve been here for ten days and figured at this point we could make it back by ourselves. Apparently we were wrong and somehow managed to get on the wrong yellow line. Three 12ish year old girls got on the bus right after us. One looked like a prostitute, one looked like a pirate, and one looked like the spawn of Satan. I turned to my right and the satanic looking girl with black lip liner and thick eyebrows was staring at me with the scariest face I've ever seen. I tried not to react but couldn’t hold in my fear. I turned to my friend who was equally concerned and mouthed “oh boy”. We seriously thought we were going to get shanked. They got up at what might be the sketchiest stop in Budapest and spit on us as they walked out. It was terrifying and disgusting.
Definitely not fakeworld.
Franz Liszt
Lesson of the Day: Classical music + no air conditioning = nap time
Today we went to the Franz Liszt Museum. Before they took us on a tour of the museum we went upstairs to a lecture room so we could hear a brief history of Liszt, a Hungarian pianist and composer born in 1811, and listen to some of his music. The lady who gave us the lecture was deeply passionate about the topic and has devoted the majority of her life to her research. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t keep my eyes open. On our table was a stack of twelve CDs all with excerpts of music she wanted us to hear. Every time a piece was played I closed my eyes and attempted to look like I was completely absorbed in the music, in reality I was scared that I might not wake up when the music turned off. The closed, stuffy, non-airconditioned room, combined with church music nearly rocked the entire group of us to sleep. What seemed to be ten hours later we were able to get up and walk around Liszts old house. I was just glad to stand up.
Today we went to the Franz Liszt Museum. Before they took us on a tour of the museum we went upstairs to a lecture room so we could hear a brief history of Liszt, a Hungarian pianist and composer born in 1811, and listen to some of his music. The lady who gave us the lecture was deeply passionate about the topic and has devoted the majority of her life to her research. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t keep my eyes open. On our table was a stack of twelve CDs all with excerpts of music she wanted us to hear. Every time a piece was played I closed my eyes and attempted to look like I was completely absorbed in the music, in reality I was scared that I might not wake up when the music turned off. The closed, stuffy, non-airconditioned room, combined with church music nearly rocked the entire group of us to sleep. What seemed to be ten hours later we were able to get up and walk around Liszts old house. I was just glad to stand up.
What the Heck did I Just Eat?
Lesson of the Day: Eat first, ask later
I’ve never thought of myself as a very picky eater, I’m now realizing how wrong I was. The food here is completely unrecognizable and eating something that you can’t identify is not a good idea. At this point I have already accidently eaten lard, goose liver, and grease. I feel like I should keep trying to eat the food but I’m too scared that I will end up with my head in a trashcan. I know I might be a sell out but I have been very comforted by the fact that there is a McDonalds on nearly every corner. Today I was lucky enough to find a subway for lunch and it was amazing. They don’t sell potato chips in the stores so I had to go on a scavenger hunt to buy them before i ate my sandwich, it was well worth it!
I’ve never thought of myself as a very picky eater, I’m now realizing how wrong I was. The food here is completely unrecognizable and eating something that you can’t identify is not a good idea. At this point I have already accidently eaten lard, goose liver, and grease. I feel like I should keep trying to eat the food but I’m too scared that I will end up with my head in a trashcan. I know I might be a sell out but I have been very comforted by the fact that there is a McDonalds on nearly every corner. Today I was lucky enough to find a subway for lunch and it was amazing. They don’t sell potato chips in the stores so I had to go on a scavenger hunt to buy them before i ate my sandwich, it was well worth it!
"Did you find Rachel? No, but I found gelato!"
Lesson of the Day: Don’t get separated from the group (7/9)
Yesterday we took a two-hour bus ride to the city of Pecs. So far it has been my favorite stop of the trip. The town was very quaint with small shops, delicious gelato, and interesting museums. After lunch we visited the Belvarosi Church (a mosque that was converted in to a Christian church) and then headed to the Csontvary Museum. Right before leaving the museum we noticed one of the girls was missing from the group. One of our professors, Dr. Dorraj, said he would go back to the church, look for her, and meet us at our next top—The Roman Cemetery and Early Christian Chapel. Somehow the girl managed to find us again and it wasn't for a few minutes later that our professor returned... with a scoop of gelato. He explained to us that he tried to find her but came up short and believed that he should reward his efforts with some icecream. Deep down we all knew he only volunteered so he could leave the group and grab a dessert. What a goofy guy. We all learned the importance of sticking together after that.
Public Displays of Affection
Lesson of the Day: Hungarians love PDA (7/9)
I have been completely disgusted with the PDA in Budapest. It seems like everywhere I turn there is some couple sucking face. I mean literally sucking face. (I saw one man chewing some girls cheek on a train). It seems to me that if you don’t have a significant other here you must feel completely worthless. Everyone is paired off. I prefer Fort Worth where we tend to control ourselves a little bit better.
While on our trip to Pecs we saw another couple openly making out in the middle of the city and had enough. We asked professor Ungar, who is Hungarian, why people feel like they need to be so open with their relationships. It turned out that this couple actually had a reason for their intense makeout session. They were standing infront of a wall covered with locks. Apparently couples come from all over the world to attach a lock symbolizing their commitment to each other. It was actually pretty sweet. I’m sure that couple didn’t appreciate the crowd of obnoxious Americans ruining their romantic moment.
I have been completely disgusted with the PDA in Budapest. It seems like everywhere I turn there is some couple sucking face. I mean literally sucking face. (I saw one man chewing some girls cheek on a train). It seems to me that if you don’t have a significant other here you must feel completely worthless. Everyone is paired off. I prefer Fort Worth where we tend to control ourselves a little bit better.
While on our trip to Pecs we saw another couple openly making out in the middle of the city and had enough. We asked professor Ungar, who is Hungarian, why people feel like they need to be so open with their relationships. It turned out that this couple actually had a reason for their intense makeout session. They were standing infront of a wall covered with locks. Apparently couples come from all over the world to attach a lock symbolizing their commitment to each other. It was actually pretty sweet. I’m sure that couple didn’t appreciate the crowd of obnoxious Americans ruining their romantic moment.
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