Well, as you may have guessed, it is a lot easier being here for the second time. While I wouldn't dare to say that I speak Hungarian, I recognize and remember a lot more Hungarian than I did the first time I arrived here. We know how to get around and go to many of the places that we want to go. Our first night here, I marveled at the fact that I knew where I was and how at home I felt when I woke up to use the bathroom. Oh, the little things!
I find a lot things I'm experiencing falling into one of three categories:
- things that are the same
- things that are different
- things that are new
The Same
I find Budapest to be as beautiful and enchanting as I did the last time. I was not only remembering an idealized or romanticized version of this place. St. Stephen's Basilica, Margit Island, the bridges, Castle Hill, the Parliament - all these and much more are lovely, lovely sights.
Some favorite places - Rose Gelarto (where the gelato is shaped into a rose on your cone) still has amazing flavors like Basil Lemon and Chili Dark Chocolate; the Belgian pub has wonderful beer, great atmosphere, and delicious risotto; the stall at the market still has the same yogurt that we loved so much the last time - are just as good as we remember.
Hungarian friends, old ones and new ones, are amazingly kind and hospitable to us. We've already visited two homes of Hungarian friends and had numerous social gatherings and been given many kinds of help. Being in a different culture with a different language is always a good reminder of how dependent we are on others, and how many generous, giving people God puts in our lives.
The Different
Not surprisingly, however, in three years some things change. Some changes are for the better. Some changes disappoint. Our neighborhood ABC (corner grocery store) was a delight to me last time. Tucked into a very tiny space they had just about all your grocery basics. Not a lot a variety or brands to choose from, but as opposed to US convenience stores, you could make a number of different meals from what you could buy there. Now the ABC is half or less the size it was, and is no longer a tiny, adorable grocery store, but really just a convenience store. Sigh.
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| A picture of the "magic fountain" in 2011 |
One of our favorite places near our apartment was a place we referred to as "the magic fountain". It is a rectangular fountain that comes up out of the ground level. When you step on the tiles just outside its edge, the jets right in front of you stop spouting allowing you to walk inside and through the (dry) center. Unfortunately, a new and controversial monument has been erected just in front of this fountain, turning what was a fun place to beat the heat into a place generating its own entirely different kind of heat. (For an explanation of the controversy, here is a link to an article that explains it: How Should Hungarians Remember World War II? )
Some of the changes for the better: the new, air-conditioned (!) cars on the red Metro line, the new pedestrianized area in front of Parliament, the opening of areas that were under construction the last time we were here (replaced, of course, by the closing of areas that are under construction now).
The New
There is a new Metro line - the number four green line. Oooh, shiny.
We now have a whole new set of Calvin College students. The students were such a huge part of the positive experience we had as part of this semester in 2011 that we couldn't help wondering how a new group could possibly compare. This is the situation that faces most educators every year, of course. This year's students have only been here a little over a day, but they are already showing us, reminding us that the supply of wonderful, thoughtful, inquisitive, fun and funny people is pretty much endless. No comparison is necessary, really; just an openness to receive the new experience God is handing out.
Probably one of the nicest things about being in Budapest for a second time is that this time we have memories. Many places we go, I find myself thinking or saying, "Remember? This is where...
...we saw that dog wearing a leather bomber jacket.
...that lady was yelling at me to move out of the way and I didn't realize it because I don't speak Hungarian.
...they stayed. It was so great having them here.
...we had dinner with him.
...we had such a fun night with them. (Do you know who you are? I think you know who you are...)
And that may be the best thing about being here again: the reminder of how faithful God is to me, wherever I am. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentation 3:22, 23
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