Don't get is wrong, the No loves the captivating capital of the entrancing country in which she resides, but...
Of the last 5 days, the No has been in Budapest every single one, slept only one night in Heves, and managed to make all but two of her classes. How could she pull off the amazing feat of working in one city while being official bum on couch in the fourteenth district of Budapest? Easy, spend lots of money and lots of time on the bus. Between Thursday and Monday the No has spent 15 hours and 35 minutes on the Bus. (and this does not include public transport within Budapest itself....)
Why you may ask would any rational person choose to spend 15 + hours in 5 days on a bus traipsing through rural and into urban Hungary? The answer, simply put is people and panic.
Thursday the No was lured to Thanksgiving dinner, a stupendous blow out with more people than space.
Friday the No had to return home to teach. Alone in her flat, lonely and procrastinating cleaning said flat, she was lured back to the capital by bowling, movies, pancakes and museums. Truth be told, she should have known she was traveling too much, when her bus driver into Budapest (who happened to be the bus driver to Heves at 7 that morning) recognized her, and when she asked for a ticket, he gave her a look which all too clearly asked 'Really?'
Sunday saw the end of the fun, and the now second trip home from Budapest this week.
Monday's round trip was caused by panic. Forgotten by the No, her passport had only two spaces left for stamps. This caused a problem as she intends to visit Minnesota over winter break, but must return. However, the embassy (where they handily can take 10 minutes to sew in new pages), is only open from 1-4 Monday through Friday. Mondays of the B week coincided as the only time in which the No could make the round trip to the embassy and still make all of her classes.
The best parts of the insanity, where the calm and beautiful moments (none of which were on the bus):
The majesty of the parliament in the foggy-drizzly weather
Eating long craved after Mexican
Going to an American embassy, by herself for the first time in her life
Students waving goodbye on the bus
Buying pretty glasses in IKEA, so now the No can drink out of more than just coffee mugs
The new girth of her passport, ready for new stamps and new adventures
Friends with directions, on the phone
3 comments:
I'm jealous of your passport stamps. :) -Alisa
i only dreamt of leaving Heves that much.
did you have a good book to read on the bus? I always enjoyed taking the train more. it's such "interesting" experience on the Kis Piros.
(Hevesi gyermek just started friending me on Facebook...)
I just found your blog and plan to become a regular reader, I am always curious what you are up to!
-Amanda Keener Yates
Post a Comment