Time to leave Budapest

Hello,

This is my last post from Budapest. I'm leaving in three days, and I think I'm ready to go home.

Budapest was not everything I wanted it to be. I guess I saw Budapest as an escape from what USF had been for me. I saw Budapest as a fun adventure in Europe which also traced my ancestral roots. I wanted it to be a place where I would be accepted and I would enjoy every second.

Instead, what little self-confidence I had plummeted within a few weeks of coming here. The only real friend I had here was Ellora, and I felt alone and stressed. I had homework, and I was living in a country where I did not speak the language. I continued to get more and more depressed as my journey here continued. The only relief I had was going to other parts of Europe. First Prague, then London, Ireland, and Krakow. In these places I was so overwhelmed with wanting to explore and take in as much as I could before returning to Budapest that I forgot about my petty problems.

My depression was most likely grown off of two factors. The first being that I already had low self-esteem and as I realized my depression, I began gaining more and more weight, which only increased my depression. The second being that the Budapest mentality is possibly the most pessimistic in the world. Hungary has the third highest divorce and suicide rates in Europe. This pessimism is also hypothesized to be the cause of early death. Most Hungarian men don't live past 56, though the number is increasing. Together with my intense loneliness and self-hatred, this downcast city created in me a sense of lost hope.

This is not to say that I didn't have some fun here. Every second I spent with Ellora, was amazing. She has become my closest friend, and I am so thankful that this experience was able to bring us together, though I am sorry for being a burden on her. I enjoyed my classes very much, though they were stressful. Particularly my Nationalism and Ethnicity class, which taught me to think in ways I had never before seen. And every time we went out with Laci, Zsofi, Melinda, or on field trips, I had an amazing time. And I now have my favorite places in the city; the Danube, Pink Cadillac (pizzeria), Jaffa and Zappa cafes, Pazmany Peter (the school), the movie theater jewelry store, the Great Market Hall, Heroes Square, Andrassy Utca, Raday Utca, Iguana vintage stores, and my apartment.

I do not know yet what I have gained from this experience, though I am glad I lived here for a semester, despite the hardship. It was a growing experience, to be sure. I just don't think Budapest is my type of city. I have no regrets in coming here, just a few gloomy memories.

Now that it is summertime, however, the city is opening up, and it seems, giving us a grand farewell. Today Ellora and I looked up while walking along Raday Utca, and saw medieval type flags everywhere. There were also historic lamps, and modern art pieces. Later, we heard loud drumming and ran out onto the balcony. Below we saw a parade of Chinese dragons, gargoyles, a sun, and even an ent. We still aren't sure what this was about, but we are certainly happy that we saw it. And yesterday it poured rain while the sun still shone. It was spectacularly beautiful.

I am very excited to come home in a few days, though a part of me will always be in Budapest.

Thank you, I love you.

--Seren Sehota

Pictures

There are finally some pictures of Ireland. If you want more, go to Ellora Coombs-Echenhofer's facebook page, and hopefully you can see them.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29926&id=651681323&page=2

Eger and Aushwitz

Hey all. I'm so sorry I haven't written a blog in a while. I'll try to be better, I promise

A few weeks ago my mentor Melinda took Ellora, Kiyana, Stacy, her friend Dharma, and I to the wine town of Eger, Hungary. It was so beautiful. It was this quaint little town with a big castle on the hill and a beautiful church. It was really nice to get out of the city and get some fresh air. Pollution and cigarette smoke have been really taking their toll on my lungs. We walked around the cobble stone streets for a while, stopping for cakes and gyros. Then we decided to go to the top of the minaret. Now that was an experience to remember. While it was only 97 steps the the top, there was no hand rail, the stairs were uneven, spiraling, slippery, and practically impossible to climb up and down. I am someone afraid of stairs and of falling down them, so my adrenaline was rushing when we finally reached the top after what felt like an eternity. Unfortunately for me, the top held no relief. It was about 200 feet off the ground and all we had was a ledge and a rail that was two feet from the wall. I thought I was going to fall to my death. After taking some beautiful pictures of the scenery, I made my way back down the minaret, though not without a near heart-attack. When I got to the bottom, I told everyone else, "I'm really glad I did that, it was a once in a lifetime experience, but I never want to do that again." We left soon after that. It was an all around very relaxing journey.

Last weekend, my central European literature teacher Pedro took us all to Auschwitz and Krakow. We went straight to Auschwitz without even stopping at the hotel. Keep in mind, we had all been on the bus since 7 that morning and it was an eight hour bus ride. Suffice to say we were already a bit frazzled when we got there. Auschwitz! Almost immediately, the impact of the place had rendered me mute and unable to process anything. I was so detached from my emotions, I couldn't even really cry as they showed us the prisoners shoes, the gas chamber, their luggage, their death certificates, where they lived and worked. And that was all only a sixth of what the Germans originally had, they had destroyed everything else. I can't really say the impact of the place, or describe how intense the atmosphere was. It was also raining that day to add to the dismal attitude. I wish I could tell you all what it was like, but I can't. The truth is, it was so hard to take in, I barely remember it. I was like a zombie walking around the place.

Krakow, on the other hand, was very nice. A lot of history, really good food, and really good people. The church was so beautiful, and glamorously adorned. Pedro and Andi, the head of the USF in Budapest program in Budapest, took me and Ellora to a really nice Indian restaurant in the Jewish district, followed by
drinks in this candlelight restaurant with Spanish lounge music and antiques hanging on the wall. I was dazzled by the magic of the place. Krakow had a beautiful castle that we all explored, but I empathized with Pedro when he said, "If I have to visit another church or castle again, I might kill myself." I'll admit that they all do seem to run together after a while.

I can't really load pictures right now. If you really want to know how these places look, go there yourself. I highly recommend it.

Ireland

For spring break this year, Ellora and I decided to travel to Ireland. Going there, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I know it wasn't the magic I experienced.

Getting there was very very rough. I lost my passport on the plane and had to wait for an hour in a cold steel room with tears streaming down my face before they found it and we could finally go see Dublin. We stayed at Portland BnB, a delightful place, albeit loud (it was close to the road). The next morning, we woke up to the smell of a real Irish breakfast, a fried egg, toast, cereal, sausage, bacon, black pudding, and a fried tomato. Yummy!!!

We went into town, completely unsure of what we were going to do that day. The first thing we did was go into Eason which is the Barnes and Noble of Ireland. I bought a book. Then we decided to do one of those double decker bus tours that lets you hop on and off at different locations. We went to Dublin Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Zoo, Trinity College, and Oscar Wilde's statue. All were wonderful. The best part of the bus tour, however, were the very funny drivers who would tell you about little locations. It was also wonderful because all of Wales was in Ireland for the rugby tournament the next day so everywhere we turned people would be dressed in hilarious outfits supporting either Ireland or Wales. I got flashed by a guy in a huge green, white , and red (Welsh Colors) afro wig who was also wearing a tight red spandex suit. It was hilarious. That night we went to a wonderful Italian restaurant and enjoyed dinner, wine, and tiramisu.

The next day we woke up very early to get to Cork by train. The train ride was lovely. Ireland is so green and magical. And occasionally old Celtic ruins dot the landscape. We arrived in Cork before lunchtime dropping off our stuff at the Shannon Bells bnb. We then found our way to the Blarney Castle. It was so old and...old. It really was a castle. But I got to kiss the Blarney stone making me now eloquent, and I saw the first of seven rainbows on top of the castle. Ellora and I met some funny Canadians there and we spent the rest of the day hanging out with them going to lunch, Indian food for dinner, and the Thirsty Scholar for a drink. They were so much fun to hang out with, at least understanding each other.

The next day Ellora and I just wandered around. I got more books at Eason and we went to two movies, In Bruges with Colin Farrel, and The Accidental Husband with Uma Thurman and Colin Firth. The first was very good, the second was cheesy but enjoyable, I'm just happy that we sneaked into it instead of paying. That night we went to a great Irish restaurant, but I was feeling very sick, so we went back early and read.

Zoom, we were on a bus to Galway. Galway was my favorite of the three cities. It was right next to the ocean and had these little cobblestone streets, old stone bridges, colorful buildings, and a friendly atmosphere that you just can't get many places. Even though I was still sick, I was stupendously happy. Ellora and I got food and then went for a long walk through Galway, Salthill, along the ocean where we saw two more rainbows, and back to our BnB called the Seashore Lodge which was run by a very talkative dotty woman in her fifties or sixties.

The Cliffs of Moher! The Cliffs of Moher!!!! The most beautiful place I have ever been in my life!!! The Cliffs of MOHER!!!!!!! Not only was it spectacularly beautiful, but it was splendidly windy. It was so windy, I fell into the wind overlooking the cliffs, and felt like I was flying. Well, I was. I wasn't using any strength to hold my self up, just to keep the wind from knocking me down. We went to a couple of other cool places to, like the mini cliffs of Moher, a 5000 year old tombstone, and a large underground cave where we got to know what total darkness looked like. But the best part of the day was THE CLIFFS OF MOHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were back in Dublin eating dinner at a nice bar and getting ready to fly back to Budapest. It was sad leaving Ireland, but I was excited to get home to see Kim and Stephen who were already waiting at our apartment for us. We got back late and exhausted, but happy. A few days later Shannon came and now our apartment is bustling with the sounds of creaky floors as everyone tries to not make too much noise getting around. Well, back to class.

Cemetery Thoughts

This is just something I wrote while in a cemetery.

I think dying is when you miss a step. Your heart stops and you forget everything, just for that split second and your foot is searching for a place to belong. Except that death removes all thoughts, all sense of anything.

Your soul is the one looking for a place to belong. Then you find yourself surrounded by ivy and hungry crows looking to crawl all over you. Still, your heart hasn't caught up you. You're still searching.

Even when the bullets come. Erasing your tombstone with their selfish grace. You hear them, but it makes no impact on your thoughtless thoughts. You look out at the sunset, its beauty unbecoming on your grave.

What is beauty, or bullets, or ivy? It's all just nothing; nothing until your breath catches up with you and you find your step. Nothing until your foots hits the concrete stairway leading to your grave.

London

London was so incredibly fantastic. It was raining when we landed, the only time it did rain. Other than that it was very sunny with blue skies every day, if not freakishly cold (I'm talking 20 degrees average). I think that one day, I may want to live there for at least a little while.

Ellora and I stayed in the Ashlee House youth hostel, which ended up being not that good. Crowded, uncomfortable, and with French boys having sex in the next bed! But we didn't actually spend that much time there, no, we spent most of our time in the city sight-seeing and getting to know the place better.

The first day we went to the British Museum, which is HUGE!!! We took a 90 minute hight-light tour. It was quite educational, but tough to grasp everything. Next we went to St. Paul's Cathedral where we were awed and inspired by the architecture and color. Not to mention the 600 or so steps we took to get to the top so we could view the city from the high high tower. It was gorgeous.

We walked from St. Paul's to the London Bridge and by the Globe Theatre, not that exciting really, but still amazing and enjoyable. We went back to the hostel shortly after and decided to go to the Lucas Arm's Pub, which was so much fun. We didn't really drink but the experience of being in a real English Pub was delightful.

After we got back, some French boys asked us to join them at O'Neill's, a pub and club near Trafalgar Square in Leicester Square. We went but we never actually saw the boys there. No matter, we had a blast anyway. It was good music, good people, and great dancing, (the wild and crazy living room kind). It was fun, despite the fact that I re-sprained my ankle.

On Saturday, we went to Big Ben, Parliament, and inside Westminster Abbey. Wowza, talk about some history. We got to see all the great monarchs and poets and the like. Beautiful. Afterwards we went to Buckingham Palace, which was pretty, but no too exciting. It was nice walking through the park though. And finding where to go to Lord of the Rings, the musical.

What's that you say, Lord of the Rings became a musical? Yes, yes it did. And it was HILARIOUS and SUPERB. The story was abysmal, and the actors seriously needed training (especially the Aragorn and Gandalf). But Gollum was incredible, the actor was fantastic, reminiscent of Joel Grey and the like. The songs were actually surprisingly good, as were the dancing and battle scenes. The orcs were phenomenal dancers. And Arwen had a voice that angels would be jealous of. They did elliminate most of the major characters. The only characters they had were the four hobbits and Rosie, the rest of the fellowship, Arwen, Galadriel, Shelob, Soroman, Gollum, Treebeard, and Boromir's father. And that was it. They totally got rid of Rohan, and so much else. Ironically they kept some of the stuff that wasn't even in the movies, like Soroman in the Shire, kinda. Very very bad, but so wonderful. I'm definitely happy I saw it.

Our last day was spent in the British Museum, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, and Abbey Road. The British Museum had this great Terracotta Army exhibit that Ellora and I had to wake up for three hours ahead of time just to wait in line for tickets. But it was worth it. Another once in a lifetime opportunity for me. As a hopeful archaeologist, seeing all the ancient artifacts and warriors made can only be described as heart racing and jaw dropping. I nearly cried from happiness at one point.

The Tower Museum was fantastic. I got to see the Crown Jewels and they were so sparkly and shiny. Made me wish I was queen. Phew, big diamonds, big. The weapons and the fortress were incredible. It was like walking through 17th century England on the banks of the Thames. The Tower Bridge as well was like that.

Abbey Road, was a road. Not too much, but it was exciting to see where the Beatles walked, followed by Peter Jackson barefoot, (I think he wishes he was a hobbit beatle). We went to the most fantastic pub afterwards called the Marlborough Head with the best food, (treacle tart, yummy), and the bathroom was through a bookcase. So amazing.

The best moments for Ellora and I were seeing LotR the Musical, and walking through that bookcase in the pub. The only regrets I had were not seeing Kensington Gardens for the fairies, and discovering all the hidden less touristy places. But I know I'll be back, ready for more. And as an extra good sign, it was snowing when we landed in Budapest, the only time it has.

If you want to know more, email me specifically. co_dolphin@yahoo.com.

Prague

I'm not quite sure where to start with Prague, I mean, I was only there for a couple days, but I saw and did so much. Prague is beautiful. The only real problem that I found with it was the overcrowding of tourists. It was like Disneyland like that. People everywhere, all speaking different languages, the natives obviously annoyed. Other than that, however, Prague was perfect.

We got there mid-afternoon on Friday, and our first impression was actually of disgust. The city apart from the central touristy zones is incredibly filthy. Graffiti and dirt cover every building. As soon as we got to New Town Square and Old Town Square, however, everything sparkled with a kind of magic. Prague is very hilly and windy. Colorful European buildings line every street. Any where you go, there's a beautiful historical monument.

After we dropped our stuff off at the hotel, Laci and Zsofi took us to the new town square, which was beautiful and mall-like. Then they took us to old town square, which is much more historical. In the square is a clock tower, and every hour it rings, tourists crowd around wanting to see the way it changes. I saw it change about six times. I went up the tower the next day, and I could see all of Prague from up there. It's such a beautiful city. The rooftops are all red and Gothic cathedrals sporadically encompass the landscape.

My favorite thing we did the entire trip was walk across the Charles Bridge at sunset. It was so romantic crossing the bridge. It's a purely pedestrian bridge over the wide river, and couples lined the wall kissing under the yellow lamps. Fourteenth century statues stood on the side brimming with prestige and age. On a tall hill stood the castle and St. Vitus's Cathedral which is so beautiful. I walked up there twice, once at night, and once during the day. At night the lights of the city filled me with such hope and beauty. During the day, the history and age of the city was awe-inspiring.

Unfortunately, my camera broke so I didn't get any pictures of Prague, but Ellora got a lot, so as soon as she posts them, then I will too. I'm getting my camera fixed this weekend in London.

That's only a brief summary of my trip to Prague, but honestly it was just such a wonderful, fantastical journey putting it into words is practically impossible. If you want a fuller account, go yourself. Just don't go for more than a couple days, the tourists are really annoying. : )

Medici Exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts

Today in my Central European Literature class, Pedro surprised us all by taking us to the grand Medici exhibit in the Museum of Fine Arts instead of talking about Dante's Inferno. I was beyond gleeful to tell true.

The exhibit was amazing! In it was Italian Renaissance art from the late 15th and early 16th centuries. It included all the greats, DaVinci, Botticelli, Raphael, and even some Michaelangelo, not to mention other greats. Pedro took us so we could really understand the lifestyle Dante was used to before he was sent into exile.

I loved all the art. There were tapestries, portraits, coat-of-arms, I even saw the DaVinci painting "Female Head known as 'La Scapigliata'" from Ever After. I nearly cried when I saw it, two inches from my face. She was absolutely beautiful, the woman in the painting. But my favorite
was Botticelli's "Pallas and the Centaur." It was amazing, and ten feet tall. What astounded me most was how sad both of them looked. Pallas looked so guilty and regretful, and her counterpart looked as if he had stepped into hell. It was a beautiful portrayal of human souls and the consequences of actions. Those renaissance men really knew what they were doing.

I was especially interested in the fact that all the pictures of the Virgin Mary had her looking down, away from Jesus. I don't understand why she is looking down away from her son. Some of the pictures even had her face seem sad and remorseful. I'm not very familiar with much theology, but if anyone knows why, I'm keen to learn.

Growing up in Budapest

I've always prided myself on being very mature, but the truth is, that was all a facade. The truth is I'm only eighteen, and while my life growing up was less than conventional, I still don't know where I fit in in this world. Like most people my age, I'm searching for myself and where I belong.

Growing up in the rockies in our one room house with no electricity, no running water, no heat, and no plumbing taught me to take care of myself. This gave me strength to know that no matter what, I can make myself at home, anywhere. I can live anywhere in the world without feeling I really need more in my home. Unfortunately, this also crippled me. I am socially awkward. I have confidence issues based primarily on the fact that my home life was not the same growing up as other kids. Don't get me wrong, I love my family. I have had the most supportive and loving family that anyone could ask for. I am so lucky in that arena. However, I've had issues making friends, keeping friends, and dating. My 411 isn't exactly long or impressive.

Now I'm living in Budapest, and even though I've only been here two and a half weeks, I can feel myself developing in ways I didn't even know existed. I'm slowly moving past the insecurities of needing to impress people. I'm quieting down. I'm slightly less awkward, but still working on it.

Growing up so far away from everything I know is like a slap in the face. It turns out the rest of the world is also struggling with their politics, their health care, their economies. Everyone here is trying to find themselves and where they belong, and they don't time for petty complaints of self-hatred or narcissism. Everyone in the US is a self-hating narcissist. Everyone thinks about themselves, and judges themselves harsher than anyone else. If I ever thought no one was paying attention to me, they were probably just worried that I wasn't paying attention to them. We're a lot more alike than we think. The "pretty" people, the "ugly" people, the "poor" people, the "rich" people. We're all just people. This is something I knew in the US, but I didn't truly grasp until I saw everyone doing it, everywhere. If you need to connect, just walk out your door, and hear someone else's issues, which sound remarkably like yours.

Cookies

I like cookies.


That's all I have to say.

Bad mentality

The last few days, I've had a very bad mentality. To the point of hostility toward a total stranger. I feel terrible now, but I honestly wasn't aware of what was happening until after it happened. Whatever, I'll get over it.

In any case, I want to apologize in advance for any future frustration I cause anyone. I don't actually hate you, I just get weird sometimes. Hey, I'm human.

But have no fear, it turns out art is really relaxing. Especially when it involves kissing and Scottish boys (I wish...nope no boys for Seren, not real ones anyway).

Our safe apartment and icons

Today I'm not really going to write about how amazing living in Budapest is, or how the people are so different. Instead I am going to write about my apartment and the wonderful things in it.

I love my apartment. I feel so safe and at home in it. Ellora and I have made it our own. It is possibly the first home I have ever lived in that feels truly safe from all the troubles of the world. I can just sit on my chair and feel complete. Ellora brought a good luck bell that we hung above our door that rings whenever the door is open. Every time I hear it ring I know that everything is going to be okay.

We already bought incense (aphrodesia, frankincense, super hit) and peach candles. So our apartment always smells like beauty and girlie-ness.

Today Ellora and I bought some icons to truly express ourselves and to make our apartment feel even more ours. We bought a chinese fan, a statue of Anubis, a cobra, a Buddha, and a beautiful statue of two children holding hands about to kiss. Now I am perfectly at peace in Budapest.

The Difference Between Hungarians and Americans

In general, I have not noticed a big difference between the people here in Budapest and those back in America. The people here are just that...people. Sure, there are a few differences in mannerisms and such like that, but everyone is just living their lives, trying to make the best of things.

I have noticed that Americans speak much louder than Hungarians. We are much more vocal and talkative. Similarly, with my friend Laci, when he is talking to Ellora and I he speaks in the same volume we do, which is loud. But as soon as he starts speaking Magyar, the volume of his voice decreases by about 40%. Very interesting.

The people in Budapest also do not smile as much as Americans. Most smiles in America seem almost fake, put on to make each other feel more at ease. We smile at just about everything, or at least I do. But when I smile here, I get the stares that seem to say, "What are you so happy about? You must be a tourist. Ugh." Hungarians, are generally not very happy people. That is not to say that there are no happy people in Hungary, but as a whole, most people are very unsatisfied with their lives. In America, when we ask how are you, we get the same generic answer, "Fine," even if it is not actually true. Here, people will go into great detail about all the terrible things happening in their lives. Hungarians love to complain.

The most stares that I have gotten are when I speak English. Of course, very few people in Budapest speak good English, so when they hear it, they immediately distance themselves and look at you like you are crazy. There really aren't that many tourists this time of year, making it rare to hear any other language than Magyar.

Laci and Zsofi both pointed out that Americans are very fake and exaggerated in their reactions toward each other. This is something that I too, have noticed. When an American is telling a story to another American, the second American becomes very interested in everything the first American is saying, to almost an embarrassing degree. I have even on occasion, made up a better ending to my stories as to not make the people I am talking to feel like they have wasted their time and energy by listening to me. But here in Budapest, people only listen if they really want to know, and don't necessarily expect a grand finale.

One last thing I have noticed in differences between Americans and Hungarians, is the physical way in which people interact with one another. Here in Budapest, couples openly express their feelings toward each other, without seeming awkward and uncomfortable. The will greet and depart with kisses on both cheeks. They make sure they touch one another at least once during their time together, but rarely hug. Americans are much more stand-offish toward one another. They only hug when they are pretty close or feel the moment is right, and only kiss when they are really close. Not being a very physical person myself, I have found myself being slightly awkward and uncomfortable with the physical customs which I have thrown myself into. So much so, in fact, that Ellora, Zsofi, and Laci make fun of me because I cannot do it right. I'm still adapting on that account.

There are pluses and minuses to both nations, but in both I feel complete. I am simply a human being traveling through life with other human beings doing the same. Mannerisms do not change that.

Week Two

My second week in Budapest,

I think that instead of doing weeks I am going to do days, or try to anyway.

Anywho, this past week has been wonderful. Ellora and I have become really close friends, our friend Laci (a boy whose name is pronounced Lat-see, like yahtzee) thinks that we are going to get married. It's wonderful. We do homework together, watch Buffy, and have cleaning parties for when our apartment gets too messy.

We've made some friends here too. Our closest are actually our mentor's Zsofi, her boyfriend Laci, and Melinda. The students here are really cool, but Ellora and I haven't made a strong connection with any of them yet. We will though, have no fear.

There are very attractive men here in Hungary, but none for me, not yet anyway. Besides, anyone who is close to me knows that I want a Scottish boyfriend. At least the Scots speak English.

Some interesting things that have happened within the last week are going to Heroes square, the Vajdahunyad Palace with the Statue of Anonymous with Laci and Zsofi, and the circus with them and Melinda and Jeremy. Zsofi, Laci, Ellora, Jeremy, and I also went and saw I am Legend in the gigantic mall, WestEnd. I was so terrified the entire movie I kept spazzing whenever a vampire popped out.

Last night Zsofi and Laci invited us to their apartment and I got to see how real Hungarians live, and I got to eat real Hungarian food. It was delicious, albeit different. It was so much fun!

Tonight my class went to see Atonement, which was wonderful, and Laci came with us, but not Zsofi because she went back home to visit her family for a week since she just finished her final exam.

Classes are going well, it's just like college, but in another country.

Next weekend, everyone is going to Prague. I am so excited. Ellora and I have also booked plane tickets and a hostel in London for Feb 14 to the 18. So that will be fun to.

I hope everything in Boulder and San Francisco is going well, and remember I miss you all so much.

Week One

Week One,

I left Boulder terrified last week. After all, I just packed up all my stuff and moved to a country where I don't speak the language, nor do I know anything about anything. But luckily, the unknown is beautiful.

I arrived at my apartment in Budapest flustered and anxious. My luggage would arrive a day late due to timing with my layover in Memphis. I had no clothes or really anything except my toothbrush and jewelry. Odd combination. It was okay though, Ellora my friend and roommate would be arriving in a few hours. Or so I thought...

That night a Boeing 747 crashed in Heathrow causing all flights to be canceled including Ellora's. It seemed that I would be alone for a night in Budapest with no money or idea of where I was. But happily, I prevailed.

Ellora arrived the next day along with my luggage. We've had a few problems since then, Ellora's missing bags, broken heater, broken stove, no internet, frozen bank accounts, broken dresser, and no oven mitts or paper towels. However, all is well and fixed apart from the dresser and oven mitts.

Budapest is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Or "Szep" in Hungarian. This city is bustling with no crime and interesting people. Pretty much everyone speaks English, though now I have enough Magyar to get by. I've started taking my classes, and they are just normal, difficult classes, but centralized on central Europe and Hungary. I love it so much here. And in two weeks I'm going to Prague. The weekend after that, I'm going to London. Europe is so nice like that.

Happiness is flowing off me in waves.