I flew in to Budapest last weekend, my first time leaving the country for nearly 15 years. I tried to learn some basic Hungarian phrases on the airplane, and chatted with a friendly Slovenian. I was too excited to get any sleep on the plane.
During my layover in Munich, I first encountered the much-feared language barrier. A stranger approached me and started to talk to me in German. I think she just wanted to see if the seat next to me was available, so I tried communicating with hand gestures. The stewardess likewise addressed me in German, and I sputtered out the few basic words I knew to order. Having never experienced such a dilemma before, I felt so peculiar trying to communicate to adults with such little speaking.
I met my contact and another student at the airport, and we took a cab to my apartment. The apartment really deserves its own post, but suffice to say it lies somewhere between living in a shipping container and a converted hotel room, the only other places I've lived away from home.
The first couple days I was exhausted from the jet lag, and mostly did shopping and errands to settle down in my apartment. I also ordered my very first drink. I met a few other students who are going to the same program I am. I'm looking forward to a successful, adventuresome semester in Hungary. I'll do my best to post interesting events and hopefully many pictures.
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