Monday, September 18
There are protests, some of them violent, downtown every night because the Prime Minister was recorded saying that he lied about the economy and the state of things during his last campaign. I inadvertently attended one of these protests with Ray on Monday night, just because we happened upon it while walking around near Parliament. So of course, we stayed for the fun and excitement, where they were actually selling pretzels and flags, and people would leave for a few drinks before returning to the action.
By midnight Monday, some of the protesters meandered over to the state-run TV station and fought with police for a while before the police gave up. They ransacked the building and burned up a couple of cars. The police returned with the water cannons and tear gas shortly thereafter.
Dont worry everyone, I generally only attend protests of the pretzel-vendor variety, not the water-cannon-and-tear-gas variety. And this all has been happening past my bedtime anyway.
I previously said that my Most Touristy Moment in Buenos Aires was taking pictures of their protesters when they demonstrated against municipal worker wages in front of Casa Rosada. So I guess this would be my Hungarian MTMso far. Dont worry, theres plenty of time for me to make an American fool of myself yet.
Tuesday, September 19
Tuesday is my hands-down favorite weekday because I only have to go to work for two hours. I went to the hospital after work to pay my bill from last weeks visit and get my report from the blood work.
Its in Hungarian.
Therefore, I still dont know what is wrong with me, but I am not concerned, as I am fairly sure it was the penicillin.
Wednesday, September 20
I got up at 4:45 a.m. this morning to leave for Bratislava to apply for my work visa. Hajni, the program director, picked me up at 5:30 and we drove with two other girls to Slovakia, which took about 2 ½ hours. Then we got to the embassy and discovered that not a single one of us had all the paperwork we needed. I was missing residency documentation that I didnt even know I needed.
Annoying.
So we got right back in the car, right then, and drove right back to Budapest, empty handed. I will be going back in about a week and a half.
Happy birthday, Ray! Ray, initially of hospital blog fame, and now my new boyfriend, turned 26 today. We had dinner, but the real celebration will converge upon Budapest this weekend with several CETP teachers coming into town.
For his birthday gift, someone needs to do me a favor by stealing this dog, the cutest dog in all of Hungary, which we found in Vorosmarty Ter near the pizza place. He belongs to the people that own the art shop next door. He. Will. Be. Ours. Soon. If you live in or can get to Budapest, please help me out as my pattern of luck dictates that I will end up in Hungarian prison (where they dont let you write blogs, unlike the hospital), so I cant do it myself.
And his name will be Tiberius, just because Ray had a dream one night that Tiberius was his name.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Finally! A coworker read my hospital report to me, and nothing. I had a virus which caused the sore throat and coughing, and then took penicillin which caused an allergic reaction. So no surprises there, but now we all know for sure.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Friday we are taking a school trip to Szarvas, a nearby town here in Hungary. I dont think I actually have to go. No one tells the American and British teachers anything at my school, but on the upside, no one cares what we do, either. I havent had such an easy job since the Texas Snostorm snocone stand days. (Holla!) Anyway, I think I will go since it will be a chance to see another town. Then I can share some pictures from that, as my mom has sent me another camera!
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Additional notes:
-My Hungarian isnt improving much. Probably because I havent been studying it too much, or rather at all. But I have stopped thinking in Spanish, as if I couldnt remember where I was but just knew I couldnt speak English.
-Hairstyles and clothes are generally about 15 years behind schedule here.
-The hygiene of people on subways, trams, and buses smells about 24-36 hours behind schedule.
-I dont have internet in my apartment. It is unbearable.
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Apparently there was a vote, and Hungarians have decided that the following things are overrated:
-Stop signs. Everyone just sort of slows down at minor intersections, and you better look both ways.
-Selling everything you need in one place. They have Tesco, which is like British Wal-mart, but they do not sell contact solution, cough medicine, or several other important things there. You can, however, buy Cherokee brand clothing there. Yes indeed.
-Men NOT wearing capri pants. It's everywhere, and it's sort of disgusting.
-Efficiency of any kind, in any situation.
-Prior planning of any kind, in any situation.
-Creamy peanut butter. Had some sent from home.
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