“And they lived happily until they died.”

Our first lesson on Hungarian culture was quite an experience. Apparently, unlike the US, the fairytales end on quite an abrupt, but realistic note. I suppose 50 years of communism will take some of the optimism out of you. Fun fact: Hungary hasn’t won or been on the winning side of a war in 500 years.
On a more cheerful note, .5 l of beer is about 2 dollars, so at least there is always alcohol, right? Actually, the only thing Hungarians love almost as much as their food is their drink. All they do here is find an excuse to eat, drink, and unfortunately for my lungs, smoke.
Having moved into my apartment, which by the way, requires 4 keys to actually get into, I really feel quite independent. I even managed to get across the city to class with enough time to spare to buy a cigas (chocolate pastry) and kave (coffee) for about $1.15. How I love exchange rates.
My university, Corvinus, is right next to the Central Market Hall in Budapest. It is a largest open air market in Budapest. Just Google it under Budapest market. There really is nothing quite like doing your shopping at a market like this, or even just buying a pastry.
Back to apartment though, it is so very tiny, and at the present rather cold. Budapest is going through an unnaturally cold snap for September, and because it is central heating, it doesn’t generally come on till October. But, it has internet access (thank god), and I have my own small room. My flat mate is a Hungarian student, very sweet, and completely fluent in English. I’m hoping I can improve my Hungarian rapidly living with her, but I suppose we will see. The apartment is about 30 minutes by metro (subway) from the university, and about 40 from most of the other Americans apartments, however the transportation here is so easy that I don’t foresee any problem.
I’m really very surprised at the end of Week 1 how quickly the transition has been. I have a very good feel for the city and how to get around, and my Hungarian is getting to the point of being able to handle basic everyday situations. I start classes on Monday, and will probably be volunteering one day a week at the NATO Language School here in Budapest. All I really will have to do is have conversations with officers trying to improve their English, sounds amazing, no? I’m looking forward to having a more concrete schedule, I will be taking: Hungarian History, Hungarian Language, 19th and 20th Century Hungarian Art, Film and History, and Eastern Europe in Transition. I think they sound interesting, and basically is nothing I would be able to take at Scripps. Anyway, Budapest is starting to feel like home, which is nice.

And, I will leave you with my new addition to the blog, Hungarian phrase of the day:
Beszelek kicsit magyarul. (I speak a little Hungarian)