I kicked off my last few weeks in Budapest with a swim on Margaret Island with Zsofia. Though I can stay above the current offshore very well, I am not a lap swimmer. It was, thus, a humbling experience. A few weeks before my departure, I had a goodbye lunch with my colleagues. I enjoyed my work, and my time with them, so it was a bittersweet lunch. I did have some good news, though. I was asked to keep working as an intern with MRG. I started a project on Russian indigenous people during the summer, and my boss and I agreed I should keep working on it after leaving Hungary.
My last weekend in Hungary was spent on a lovely day trip with my wonderful Landfamily. We went to Esztergom, which houses the famous Basilica-- the largest in the country. The view from the Basilica was unfortunately of a Slovakian industrial town, but oh well. After walking around the town of Esztergom, we headed to a bend in the Danube to swim and lay at the "beach" for a while. It was quite relaxing, and little Malna was having fun. Before heading home, we went through the town of Visegrad to see the view from their massive castle, which was lovely. I bid them goodbye with sadness; hoping very much to see them again.
Before I left Budapest, I went to some other fun touristy things, which I won't bore you with. I also went to a great concert by the group Budapest BAR at Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park. They were a really fun and interesting band, and it was a cool experience. One of the things that struck me most about the experience has inspired this list of...
Things Amy thinks are wonderful about Hungary
1) After the Concert at the castle was over, I simply walked into the metro station, hopped on and got home at a reasonable time. When I go to concerts in the US, getting home is one of the worst experiences that I am subject to (in my middle class pain).
2) Speaking of walking home, I also walked to work; I walked to the market; I walked across any one of the main bridges in Budapest or along the Danube, and it was lovely.
3) On the topic of modes of transportation: trains are magnificent. Although, this is more a Europe-wide comment. The ability to slowly watch the countryside welcome you to a new country or city is a remarkable thing.
4) Additionally, the scenery in the America is beautiful, but it takes longer to get there. I've seen many of the beautiful US National Parks (as many of you know), but it's not something you see on a day trip.
5) I also absolutely loved the market where I got my groceries. The veggies and fruit were so fresh and delicious!
6) On a very different topic, I really appreciated the way Hungarian parents talked to their children about strangers. In the United States, "stranger danger" is what kids are taught. Any unknown person is a threat. While it is true that you never know, and I understand that parents would "rather be safe than sorry," I feel like it breeds an unhealthy fear, which is often racist and sexist. Hungarian parents, on the other hand, warn children that not all strangers are friends, but don't tell children that all strangers are enemies.
My last night in Budapest was spent with a wonderful boat ride on the Danube. I saw the four bridges lit up, and all the beautiful buildings along the river. It was a magical ride.
The next morning, I left my apartment at 4:00am. It was a little too early for emotions, but as I waited in the airport to board my plane, the bittersweet feelings of leaving Hungary behind hit me. The more times I leave a place, however, the easier it is. I've come to realize that because every place means something special, something different, so will the next place. I can't replace Austin with Budapest, just as I could never replace Athens with Sherman or Brussels with Chiang Rai. And I don't try to. I'm back in Austin; classes have started up again, and they're as crazy as ever. So long Budapest! I hope we meet again. But, in the meantime-- I think it's going to be a great year back home.
My last weekend in Hungary was spent on a lovely day trip with my wonderful Landfamily. We went to Esztergom, which houses the famous Basilica-- the largest in the country. The view from the Basilica was unfortunately of a Slovakian industrial town, but oh well. After walking around the town of Esztergom, we headed to a bend in the Danube to swim and lay at the "beach" for a while. It was quite relaxing, and little Malna was having fun. Before heading home, we went through the town of Visegrad to see the view from their massive castle, which was lovely. I bid them goodbye with sadness; hoping very much to see them again.
Before I left Budapest, I went to some other fun touristy things, which I won't bore you with. I also went to a great concert by the group Budapest BAR at Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park. They were a really fun and interesting band, and it was a cool experience. One of the things that struck me most about the experience has inspired this list of...
1) After the Concert at the castle was over, I simply walked into the metro station, hopped on and got home at a reasonable time. When I go to concerts in the US, getting home is one of the worst experiences that I am subject to (in my middle class pain).
2) Speaking of walking home, I also walked to work; I walked to the market; I walked across any one of the main bridges in Budapest or along the Danube, and it was lovely.
3) On the topic of modes of transportation: trains are magnificent. Although, this is more a Europe-wide comment. The ability to slowly watch the countryside welcome you to a new country or city is a remarkable thing.
4) Additionally, the scenery in the America is beautiful, but it takes longer to get there. I've seen many of the beautiful US National Parks (as many of you know), but it's not something you see on a day trip.
5) I also absolutely loved the market where I got my groceries. The veggies and fruit were so fresh and delicious!
6) On a very different topic, I really appreciated the way Hungarian parents talked to their children about strangers. In the United States, "stranger danger" is what kids are taught. Any unknown person is a threat. While it is true that you never know, and I understand that parents would "rather be safe than sorry," I feel like it breeds an unhealthy fear, which is often racist and sexist. Hungarian parents, on the other hand, warn children that not all strangers are friends, but don't tell children that all strangers are enemies.
My last night in Budapest was spent with a wonderful boat ride on the Danube. I saw the four bridges lit up, and all the beautiful buildings along the river. It was a magical ride.
The next morning, I left my apartment at 4:00am. It was a little too early for emotions, but as I waited in the airport to board my plane, the bittersweet feelings of leaving Hungary behind hit me. The more times I leave a place, however, the easier it is. I've come to realize that because every place means something special, something different, so will the next place. I can't replace Austin with Budapest, just as I could never replace Athens with Sherman or Brussels with Chiang Rai. And I don't try to. I'm back in Austin; classes have started up again, and they're as crazy as ever. So long Budapest! I hope we meet again. But, in the meantime-- I think it's going to be a great year back home.
