Budapest

9.2.07, Hotel Touring

Finally I’m here!
I was so nervous on Tuesday night before I left Rochester! Seriously my stomach was making full rounds and I constantly thought how much I would miss everything and everyone. But as soon as I got to the airport with my 27,4 kilos of luggage all my nervousness was gone.

My first contact with a Hungarian person was on the plane. His name was Pascal. He was fun, adorable and SO cute, until he started kicking my seat. Apparently for fife years old it is loads of fun to disturb other people on the plane… Yes, Pascal was a kid who was visiting some family in London with his aunt (who had no control with him at all!). He sat behind me, got bored on the plane and could not stay still. Well, that is all forgiven now…

I arrived to the hotel around fife o’clock absolutely exhausted after all the travelling and stress. I took a taxi from the airport BECAUSE I didn't have the strenght to be adventurous and YES I can afford luxury here!
When I got to the hotel I fell asleep while watching Sex and the City.. that was about six o'clock.
And nothing more to tell about my first day in Budapest! Oh, I did see a massive Tesco ☺

On Thursday after visiting my new host university (what a place!!) I went to see few flats. They were ok, but with too many no-no’s. The other apartment was a bit too far away from where everything is happening (yes, I mean the shops, clubs, bars…) and in the other flat there was this German guy living in who seemed a bit odd… and not in a nice way at all! I have one German in my life and I think that is enough for now ☺ (and Anton has made such a good impression about Germans so I didn’t want to ruin that!).

I think this is the most beautiful and romantic place I have ever been. The buildings are absolutely amazing! People are friendly but don’t speak that much English. Luckily body language works here the same way than everywhere else. So far I’m happy to be here. I need this adventure and hey, I’ve always been a bit bad staying still.

Take care!



11.2.07, hotel room

Today was the last time I had to take the train from this awful hotel to the central of Budapest because we found a perfect flat! By ‘we’ I mean myself, Susana and Paloma. I met them yesterday and found out that they are starting exchange program in Moholy-Nagy University as well. I was desperate for flatmates because it has been a mission impossible to find a nice flat/room just by myself. For some reason landlords here doesn’t want to rent one room in a flat of three.

Our apartment is quite big, 90 square meters. The three rooms in the flat are ridiculously high with huge windows. (I post some pictures as soon as I can) The flat is close to the central of Pest and it shouldn’t take more than half an hour to get to uni. My future home is veryveryvery nice!!! I’m happy that I had the patient to wait… You all know that I don’t have any patient in my body.

Susana and Paloma are from Madrid and, I’d say, very Spanish, passionate about life itself. Both of them study fashion design but are far way from the category of English fashion students (thank god!). No blingbling, bad attitude or cockyness. And as soon as I heard they had bought all the six series of S&C to "keep them company in Budapest" I fell in love with them. Susanna and Paloma are funny, beautiful and benevelant people.

The past three days has been strange in a good way. I haven't done that much. Well, I have but nothing that you would like to read about...mostly just turist things. I went to see Van Gogh’s exhibition in the Museum of Fine Arts. I just have to say that man knew how to use colours. Seriously. I have kept myself busy by walking around and I’m still amazed of the architecture. My neck aches because I have been looking up more than forward.

Anyways I have to pack my bags now and go to bed. Tomorrow is a big day for me. The uni starts at two! I’m not nervous, more relieved actually. I miss doing my stuff and I’ve been so inspired by this city that I have to start doing something…!

Catch you later!

Ps. I don’t miss Rochester at all but I have this strange feeling because I haven’t had a beer in three days!


13.2.2007, home sweet home

I’m even more in love with our flat! Everything works and it’s just so beautiful. No problems with water pressure or heating. Real wooden floors and I even have a working TV in my room.
And of course after we moved in we had to go to IKEA (it’s dangerously close to our home… just few metro stops). We bought stuff for the flat, sheets, dish brushes, etc. But I was more excited about the food section. Finally I got salmiakki, proper cheese and Kalle’s kaviar! That was all I had for dinner as well. Hehe.

Maybe I should say something about the uni too... The first day there was a total chaos. Nobody actually knew what is going on, when actual classes are starting, who is their tutor… I still don’t know when, where or what I’ll be studying/doing here for the next four months (don't tell anyone!). I heard rumours that I can choose from product, metal, furniture or packaging design. And that we can take life-drawing and sculpting classes. Yay!

After the frustrating Monday I finally met some tutors and local students today. In Hungary to get a design degree takes five years so I’m in the same class with third years. I was quite surprised that the man who teaches furniture design doesn’t speak English at all! “Alvar Aalto” was all I understood when he spoke to me. But there was this VERY cute Hungarian student who translated our conversation...

I’m on my way to some party. Don’t ask… I don’t know where or what but I got to run now!
And for everyone who are making bets about my "bf's"... I have to say it's gonna be hard to stay under 10! haha

pusspuss