Budapest and "home"...

18dec07
Up at “0-dark-thirty” for the ride to the airport, and officially on my way mid-morning. A smooth trip home with minimal delays, met at the Seattle airport by close friends some 20 hours later (they brought a Haas avocado and a spoon with them [laughing]

It’s hard to believe I’m “home”… feeling as though I’ve left home to come home… and find that it is truly a place within the heart.

17dec07
Snow was gone by morning of this last full day in Hungary. A morning meeting with the HFH Hu national office staff was a chance to share experiences and offer observations… well received with much learned by all, myself included.

Andras from the national office was my escort for the afternoon and evening, with a last visit to the Castle District (a favorite), and visits to the library and other architectural treasures before sharing dinner and a final ride along the river by tram.

16dec07
Snow continues today as Gabi and husband Anti drive me to Budapest. We spent the day in Buda’s castle district, walking the streets, window shopping, exploring one of the museums, sharing mulled wine and the magic that seems to settle over all in this season of first snows.

A tearful farewell with Gabi and a “changing of the guard” as Gyuri (HFH Hu national office director) picked me at the hotel and we explored Budapest into the late afternoon and evening. The city is beautiful at night, enchanting and elegantly dressed in lights for the holiday season, with the “clean” look of snow as a bonus. One-on-one time to talk of HFH and many other things while taking in Hero’s Square, the ice rink, downtown areas with outdoor bazaars, the lights of Danube by night and points in between, these are samplings of the time spent… very cool (literally and otherwise!),