Sun 26aug07-Sun1sept07 Leisure time...NOT! [laughing]

Sun2sep07
Sunny and cool, with a trip to the office to connect for e-mail, etc., and a stroll around town just because. I very much enjoy the “small town” quiet and atmosphere, and the “lack” of conveniences that sparks more natural and genteel ways to spend time, stopping to smell the roses, as my dad would say, embracing individual moments in and of themselves, strung together like a strand of pearls, pure, unique, and priceless…

Sat1sep07
A new month, and a full workday on site with Levi and the families followed by a quiet evening at home. I suspect this will become a routine of sorts going into the fall, and interesting in that the bulk of the sound beyond hammers, saws and the like is, of course, Hungarian. I can discern words here and there, but becoming any kind of conversant remains illusive. It’s an ongoing learning experience to work/dwell in a place whose mother tongue is different from my own, and occasionally isolating. That said, there are so many blessings to be thankful for, among them the kindness and generosity of Gabi, Levi and countless others I’ve met both from here and among the myriad of teams I’ve been graced to work with. Still living a dream life in so many ways, giving and growing as I go. Very cool.

Wed-Fri29-31aug07
Talked with son Ryan Thursday, great to connect with him after leaving a trail of voice messages for the past several weeks [laughing]. We were on a roll until a major storm blew in with masses of rain and lightning and cut our chat time short... the internet is very finicky in storm conditions here. His schedule and working conditions have changed for the better at least in the short term, hence the challenge in finding good times to get hold of him. I miss him... was nice simply to hear his voice and know that he is well.

I have completed 2-1/2 months here, and will need to hop out of the country shortly to reset my “90 day” tourist visa status, so spent a bit of time conjuring up possibilities. The “winner”? A hydrofoil trip beginning Sept 9th, up the Danube from Budapest to Vienna and back, with a full day in Vienna to sample the city and sights there from the land side [smile] In October and again in late November/early December I hope to take genuine holidays, with an eye towards Italy, Spain, Greece and/or Croatia. For Romania and other countries closer to Hungary, an occasional long weekend may work. For now, simply ruminating out loud. It takes more creativity to weave together trips without ready access to transportation... definitely appreciate the convenience and relative freedom my car and motorcycle provide when at home in WA! That, and the absence of a visa requirement, making movement in the US considerably simpler!

Tues28aug07
Levi, Gabi and I bid the team farewell in the morning. I had the remainder of the day off, time for “domestics” (laundry and general clean up, groceries and a visit to the farmers market), and feet up with a good book in hand (thanks to several “literary angels” in the states and Canada who’ve provided an abundance of materials to choose from… and my landlady as well!).

Mon27aug07
The final work day closed with a phenomenal amount of work completed by this team: at the end of the day, all wall blocking, 2/3rds of ceiling blocking, all ceiling headers and the final top plates are complete… WOW!

Great fun and fellowship shared to close their trip here in Szarvas with pizza and wine, laughter/stories/thank yous exchanged at the wine cellar, followed by dessert at my flat and one last evening stroll back to the hotel. With just one GV team remaining on our 2007 schedule, the end of the summer building routine is fast approaching.

Sun26aug07
A day of “rest” in Gyula… examining the fortress (castle), followed by a mini-train ride through parts of the city, lunch al fresco and free time to walk about town and enjoy swimming at the spa complex. A relaxing day, and a few of us partook of the ice cream at a renowned 100 year old confectionary there… a brass dragon holding an ice cream cone acts as the “gatekeeper” above the entrance!