Cserediákok Győrben (Exchange Students in Győr)

Győr, Concert, Hostel, Vienna, Party, Hostel, Budapest

Most of us :D

This is in Vienna, during the Christmas Market 

Katie and I at the concert. The Rotary made the concert, and there was about 8 performers there. All were very good. We also got welcomed by the Ambassador of England. 

Fernando and I at the concert

In Vienna, I thought this was perfect. They were holding hands a few seconds before this, thats the picture that I wanted to get, but this was still nice.

Starting from the left: American, American, Brazilian, American, Brazilian

Dinner before the party :D

For most Brazilians this year on exchange was their first time seeing snow. Its fun to be with them, they act like little kids!

Lucas, Brazilian 

Japan!

Frici, Collin, and Myself at the concert. FRICI IS THE BEST! :D

Caio Brazilian

Alberto, Mexican

Friday: I go to school and leave early to go meet with the Exchange Students. We meet and eat dinner with my Rotary Club and then drive to the concert about 10 minutes away. We were there and watch about 8 performers. The Ambassador of England was there to welcome all the Exchange Students. We got to meet him, but not pictures. My school, has a students hostel in the school, so after the concert all the exchange students were staying there. 

We get home around 12 and most of us to straight to sleep.

(We now have South Africans with us on Exchange! Unfortunately, they are only here for the summer program so they will soon be leaving)

Saturday: We leave around 7, go to McDonalds eat all the food we want, and then drive about 2 hours to Vienna from Győr and hang out there for the day. We got here around 11 and got to walk around with groups all day till 5:30. Vienna was probably the coldest place I have ever been. But it was so beautiful, you didnt think of the cold so much. Okay, maybe you did. We leave around 6 from Vienna, then get back to the Students hostel and change our clothes for the party! We go and eat dinner with my Rotary again, then we go to this night club called Bridge. Our Rotary throws this party every year, it was so much fun! Even the Rotarians danced with the Exchange Students! It was so much fun! 

Sunday: The Exchange Students leave at around 9, and that was the weekend. It was so great!

Update: These past few weeks my Hungarian has improved very much. My family, people at school, and my Hungarian teacher have really been telling me this last week that my Hungarian is really getting better! It makes me happy because I was really getting frustrated that my Hungarian was going nowhere. Now I know that it is getting better, just slowly. It gives me hope that I can do it, thank gosh. 

People really encourage me at school to keep learning Hungarian, so it helps a lot when you have people to support you when you have to do something really hard. My friends, and family are really patient with me, and I couldnt be more thankful for that.

My three months have come and gone, now I have almost been here for four months. This is the FASTEST time of my life. I am not sure if I should be thankful for that or not. I love it here. Hungary has really grown on me, and I cant imagine myself having to go home and continue my life back in Washington. Of course I want to, I miss home. I just cant think that far a head in time to think that I will be going home soon-ish. (6.5 months)

The way I think of it is, its almost January. And from January to June, its going to go by way faster than from August to December. I have programs every month from now to June, so keeping myself busy will make it go even faster. 

There are two Australians here with us, and they leave in the second week of January. Both of them have been telling all the rest of us that they couldnt be more emotional going back home. That they cry just thinking that they will be leaving this place. Its odd for me to think about because I remember getting worried about coming here because I couldnt leave my friends and family at home, and now I am here and I will be getting upset about leaving these friends and this family. 

I am mind boggled. 

Upcoming Events: Later this month, for Christmas, we have a week break. In this break all the exchange students are getting together for a few days to celebrate Christmas, and New Years together. It should be a blast!

Esztergom, Slovakia, Friends, Update.

"Sometimes, its the smallest decisions that change your life forever."

This last weekend, my host family took me to this city called Esztergom. Here, is where my host Dad grew up. He showed my his village (which is now a town), his house, where he hung out, the city center...etc.


Esztergom, you can see on the map. It is to the Right of Győr, right below Slovakia, and close to Budapest.

As you probably dont know, Esztergom was the original capital of Hungary. There was some problems when it came to meeting with everyone at one time, so over the years they moved the Capital to Budapest. Some Kings were also crowed here. I did get to go inside this beautiful place, but none of the pictures turned out. So, no pictures of inside here ):

(Picture taken in Slovakia)

In Slovakia, looking over into Hungary.

A statue of a King getting crowned. I find this statute very fascinating! I took many picture of it. As you can see.

Same statue, but you can see the Capital behind it.

 I thought this picture was very enlightening because the statue is a king getting crowned, then in the background you see a patch of sky with no clouds, and sun raise coming through. Its like the sky is telling you everything is going to be okay. Its beautiful :} (no edit)

Close up of the Capital

The picture above, is from the old Capital looking over Slovakia. The bridge on the left hand side connects to two countries.

A wonderful sun set in Győr before the three of us (Katharina, Karen and I) had to go to a Rotary meeting. 

I have not mentioned this before, but the sun rise and sun set are so different than the ones at home in America. I can not really explain why, but it is. 

German=Katharina; American=Me; Mexican=Karen

Update: Everything here on this side of the world is going pretty great. Time sure is flying by. I am not sure if I should be fascinated, or mortified. Either way, its odd to me. I have been In Hungary almost three months now. I do love it here, but of course I miss home. Its a challenge being this far away from everything that you have ever known. Though, I am enjoying this adventure very much. I have met, and keep meeting amazing people. Its nice, I have people here that really make me want to stay here for a long time, and it upsets me that I only get to be here one year with them. And they always tell me, "I dont want you to leave at the end of the year..):" Its so interesting how close you get with people so quick. I really am using my time here wisely. Over the years, I have learned that time is the only thing that you dont get back. You have to make the best of what you have, and live in the moment. And that is one thing that I always remind myself.

Hungarian is so hard for me to learn. I get frustrated with myself. But all the exchange students are. And its really nice knowing that just about everyone is going through the samething as you. So, it makes you less frustrated because you know everyone is having the same problems as you are.

"It's the rule of life that everything you have always wanted comes the very second you stop looking for it."

Western Trip of Hungary, then to Venice.

Lake Balaton:

The Americans (:

A house of Paprika

Venice, Italy:(not all pictures are on here, it takes way to long to upload them, for more go to my facebook page. All are there)

Our skin looks sick, but I like this anyways.

Italy was really nothing I was expecting. Though, I am not sure what I expected to begin with. I guess you can say I was expecting nothing, but everything at the sametime. 

Italy was beautiful, and the people were very friendly. But it was also very dirty and uncared for. 

It was upsetting because there is so much history and stories behind Venice, but its hidden behind a facade of uncleanliness. 

Not to mention that Venice is to large that you would need DAYS to see the whole thing.

I can come to realization as to why I like foreign countries. Especially the ones that are really, really old. I like them because they make me think. They make me think of things that people normally dont think about. For example when I was in Venice, all I could think about was Shakespeare because of his play, "A Merchant in Venice." I was thinking about how the people walked back then, or even the clothes they wore. And what places, and feelings Shakespeare had during that time. But most importantly, the one statement that I ALWAYS think of when I go somewhere new is, "(so&so) HAS SEEN THIS PLACE AND HAS WALKED JUST WHERE I AM WALKING!!!!!" I find it very insane.

I find these masks so beautiful, and they were also very expensive :|

As I was saying about other countries: I have been to 9 countries now :D Wow, oh how I love saying that!

Every place that I go makes me think of different things, and experience different feelings. I know it sounds very cliché, but it is true. Thats one feeling that I can not get sick of, the feeling of being able to learn and ask questions about things that people dont think of.

Vács

I and my host family went to Vács to visit my host Dads parents. It was really nice. They are so friendly! Also, his great-grandmother was there. She just turned 92 years old. She was very sweet, and was a great cook! 

This fountain represents each little river of Hungary that flows to the big river of the Danube. 

Also while we were walking about Vács, we went into a museum. In this museum it showed is mummies that they found when they were digging in Vács. There was some amazing pieces that they found. There was babies, women, men, crosses, bibles, pottery...etc.

This was a fountain outside of a church. Unfortunately I was not able to go in this church. But from the outside it sure was beautiful.

This is a Monistary. Well, I was told it was one. I am pretty sure that it was just a church. The priest live across the street. 

And it was very nice of the lady working inside because she gave me this prayer because I am a traveler. On the paper is the God of Travel and there is a prayer on the back of it. It was very kind. 

Inside is so beautiful. It is the most beautiful church that I have EVER been in. 

The Organ. It was much larger in person. MUCH larger.

My host Dad Gabór and I in the church.

Yes, that little speck there is me. Now you can see how big that place was!