No sights seen while in Budapest...not here long enough to do it justice, and opted to catch some sleep and arrive in Szarvas with at least 1-2 pistons firing. I am looking forward to going up for a day or weekend, as the city is packed with history and things to see, divided by the Danube into Buda and Pest (pesht, in Hungary).
First impression somewhat like Dublin, with the juxtaposition of old and new, and fabulous detail in almost every building along the main and side streets I was able to see walking from the hotel to the national office, restaurants, etc. Their "castles" are far more sophisticated and ornate looking than those in Ireland, at least the few I was able to see while in the city.
Running sleepy in the warmth of the new day, checked out of Hotel Czasar and waiting for the next leg of the journey to begin, a three plus hour ride to Szarvas. Looking forward to landing the luggage and myself somewhere for a while, capturing what I need from the internet, catching up till more on sleep and establishing some kind of routine…
Eating raw and live may be a challenge here…thankful for Burger King salads at present; who knew!
Am told that as an “extreme”, I may run Szarvas out of produce…Gyorgy shared a story yesterday about a volunteer group of Swiss high schoolers who ate only beef….while on most menus, the local restaurants didn’t have enough to accommodate a dozen hungry and determined teenagers…they eat mostly pork and chicken here. Soooo, will be an adventure to see how much I can maintain and obtain to continue enjoying my newfound uncooking habits!
The surrounding area going out to Szarvas is green, flat, and primarily farmland, sunflowers, corn fields, wheat, and others not stored in my data bank
In Szarvas at 1730, met by Gabi and Levi, the affiliate staff here. Beautiful small town, with my lodging just one block north of the main street, 4 blocks from the office, and a 15 minute bike ride to the build site courtesy of a vintage bike (read “well loved” 42 year old bike here) on loan from Levi’s mom.
“Home” is a small space about the size of my Washington apartment, with large bedroom, nice bathroom, small kitchen, and a front area that was once a small ice cream parlor. More than enough space, though hot water was a mystery for the first 24 hours, and an operable refrigerator and somewhere to do laundry are still “opportunities” to solve.
20jun07
Walked to the office (about three miles, sunny, breezy and already 80+F) to get some exercise, meet with the national director and get a sense of expectations and how Habitat structures things here. Another walk to the bank and a local restaurant for lunch with the European volunteer coordinator for the international program; great to begin to match faces with the names of those I’ve been corresponding with for the past 3 months or so!
More orientation at the office, then walked back to the hotel with tonight and tomorrow morning to myself before catching a bus for a 3-4 hour ride to Szarvas and my final destination, at least for now.
Walked to the National Office (about two miles away) to meet with Gyorgy for orientation to Habitat Hungary. Their operation is different from the US in several ways:
Their “affiliates” are actually extensions of the national office versus individual operating units. They are pursuing creative liaisons with the local and national government to address the needs of poorer families in ways beyond housing, e.g., micro loans for heating systems, liaisons with banking institutions to better finance homes and the supplies needed to build them, building in cooperation with a small town and its government using a project manager supported by the national office versus establishing an affiliate, to name a few.
Other Habitat related information…a house here costs $35,000 on average, though this is quite variable depending on where in the country you are.
Construction is timber frame, using substantially wider lumber than we see in the states, in large part because the quality of materials available is less than we are blessed with.
In Szarvas a 5 unit “row home” is underway, with four of the five families already chosen. Unlike our system, work is immediate, and the classes in budgeting and home ownership are not formally offered here (although they are interested in what we do in Kitsap County). The entire building is referred to as one "house", the separate spaces within are apartments.
Habitat is fairly young here, established in 1996, with the Szarvas location in operation just since 2004.
Name recognition of the organization was high when President Carter first came here eleven years ago with Hungary as the focus of that year’s annual Jimmy Carter Work Project, though since then it has quieted a bit.
First language “lesson”…Invoice vs receipt, or as they would say it here (phonetically), “amma samla”
19jun07
All good, with a second opportunity to fly out to Budapest at 1700, handled smoothly by the SwissAir transfer desk, along with a food voucher and phone card for use in the airport to ease the way.
Arrived in Budapest at 1900 Tuesday June 19th, a mere 5 hours later than originally planned, and the luggage with me despite the airline changes (turns out they don’t take luggage unless there is a human to go with it, so some kind of magic must’ve happened when the flight to Zurich was delayed!). I was met by Gyorgy Sumeghy, Hungary’s Habitat National Director, and Zsuzsa Rihay, National Volunteer Coordinator. They were surprised at how little luggage I brought for the six month stay ( as I staggered their way with a large overweight Pullman, smaller version of same, and an overstuffed backpack); I was thinking I’d packed too much!
To the hotel by 2030, with plans made to meet the following day, my wish for crisp clean sheets and a hot shower granted...YAY!
18jun07
And so begins the next adventure!
Dropped off by friends (thank you for a great start to the trip, Tom and Darla!), I took off from SeaTac at 1100 Monday morning without a hitch to begin the anticipated 14 hours of real-time travel to reach Budapest. All went smoothly for the first leg to Chicago OHare, with an easy transition from domestic to international travel status. High winds in the “windy” city delayed takeoff, however, landing me in Zurich at 1230 19jun just as my intended connecting flight to Hungary was taking off (best laid plans….). The only other travel "wrinkle" thus far….dousing myself with orange juice this morning while still on the plane to Zurich....it's a look!
Slowly but surely making my way there, looking forward to a shower and a clean bed to sleep in!
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