Progress and perusing the landscape...

Extras...

Sites and sounds…

Bikers of all ages, shapes, and sizes….elderly with canes, wee ones with training wheels, in business clothes, long skirts and slides, touring garb…I find myself alternating between awe and laughter as I make my way. If my fledging Hungarian didn’t give me away, my riding skills to date surely would be evidence that I’m not from around these parts!

Church bells chiming…truly beautiful….

Horse drawn carriage(s), even on the main roads

Doves cooing a wake up ballad each morning along with a varied birdsong accompaniment, including roosters crowing in the early hour(s) of the day.

Langauge...
Beginning ever so slowly to learn a bit of the language, though it's definitely a challenge. Even a seemingly simple hello requires thought, as the greeting varies depending on time of day, age and gender of the person you're speaking to....they are a very traditional and in some ways a very formal people...think of the days that we used to address our elders as Mr. or Mrs. for a sense of how this goes. Very nice, actually, but daunting when you're goal is to appropriately apply the greeting system!

Progress...
Working 7-8 hours on site each day, and another 2-3 with the Global Village teams in the evening thus far, until we begin to get to know one another as staff persons and establish a more "user-friendly" system. All good and fun for the moment, since as the teams come and experience things, I have the opportunity to begin to learn the “routine” and ever more about Szarvas as I accompany them. Much learned thus far and the beginnings of many ideas to weave into the fabric of Habitat Hungary and my own affiliate in Kitsap County as my position solidifies and we grow forward together....magic

1jul07
The day dawned sunny and cool (meaning less than 90 degrees!). Went for a leisurely bike ride following a farewell lunch with this week’s GV team, taking in everything for signage to fields of sunflowers waving bright yellow over flatlands between Szarvas and the neighboring town of Bekesszentandras. Bike paths abound, and the level terrain in this part of the country is a welcome start point as I continue to find my pedaling skills.

Lots of photos to share, so take a peek at http://smarie.phanfare.com/ regularly for the “picture = 1000 words” portion of the program (okay, there are a few words thrown in there as well!)

Signage is at once different and at times universal in its intent, and I continued to be surprised by the places English shows up in the sea of Hungarian. Enjoyed an exchange with a fellow biker…in the friendly but fast and furious stream of Hungarian he shared with me, in the end he gave up and simply pointed to my watch…he was really just looking for the current time. Fun!

Back home for a wee bit before sharing cyber-wise via blog and pix, then back outside to enjoy this very beautiful summer Szarvas day.

The Ireland contingent is expected early tomorrow afternoon; it will be great fun to get acquainted with new folks and catch up with dear friends from last year’s sojourn to Dublin….very much looking forward to seeing everyone!

30jun07
Out to the site for an hour or so in the morning, then off to procure a softer bicycle seat, new grips, and a basket…the bell and lights were already a part of the package of my now trusty wheeled steed Latent theatrical skills and an unplanned game of “Charades” were an active part of the purchasing process until Levi arrived to assist in getting the right items.

Enjoyed having the day to myself to wander a bit, and catch up in countless ways, including just the basics of living here or “domestics”, as a friend in Colorado refers to it. Very nice.

29jun07
On site cleaning, setting up tables and tent for this year’s home dedication (an annual event thus far, held at the end of June to ensure the homes are counted towards building goals for the ending fiscal year). This is the second dedication in Szarvas, with four recipient families.

The event drew in excess of 100 people with families, friends, visiting VIPs, pastors and a local choir. The ceremony opened with the Hungarian national anthem and additional music, thank yous to sponsors and the visiting GV team as representative of the 300+ volunteers coming from abroad last year to make the build possible, and blessings by three local pastors working collaboratively. Representatives from the HFH National office and the European HFH office were there as well, and all was filmed for local television.

Levi presented keys to the families (a touching and emotional moment), and last year’s home recipients presented plants to the new home owners. A bottle of wine was gifted to each family by the HFH Csurgo affiliate, and ultimately the homes were opened for “viewing”. The afternoon ended with conversation and a shared meal of traditional Hungarian fare: bean and beef stew, pasta with ham and cottage cheese topped with sour cream, and a variety of desserts.

Later in the evening a round of cosmic bowling with the current GV team. Szarvas’ bowling alley is just two lanes, classy interior with a bar and seating for dinners on the side, even outdoor seating. Shoes are pink and yellow, balls are fluorescent and all are kept on the ball return at the lanes themselves. Pin reset is by strings, scoring automatic with cartoon kudos/commentary displayed on the electronic scoreboard above the lanes re gutters, spare, strikes, etc. thrown. Crowded feel with 15-16 on two lanes, but fun

28jun07
Another day on site building forms and working concrete. This means of building the support walls of the foundation is a new process here. They have used cinder clock in the past, but it is quite expensive, so the foundation we are working on now is a new venue using concrete only. Labor intensive, but saves approximately $1500 US, which is significant. Forms are laid ….

Pouring concrete from wheelbarrows to forms again today (4th day running), another 90 + degree day and humid. Developing a builders tan....arms are golden, shapely pins pale by comparison with each passing day I wear jeans and boots on site....hot, but for me, a safer bet than shorts and running shoes....personal preference, protects against splinters, etc. and fends off the preponderence of frogs and grasshoppers inhabiting the site!

Hugarian folk dancing Thursday night with the team at the corner pub. The dancers are students who dance as a hobby, performing in various locations. The dances are lively and some are quite intricate…we were invited to learn…great fun!