This past Saturday we went on a whirlwind trip to Vienna for a little R & R. We left early in the morning and took the train to Vienna and then came back late that same night. Thankfully we were able to figure out the train system and buy our ticket and find the right compartment on the train. It actually turns out to be quite simple. Just yesterday we found out there is a bus that goes there as well.

The morning started off with a quick stop at the train information booth to find out how to return, didn't want to be stuck in the train station all night. Then we were off for a day of exploring the sights of Vienna. The first stop was down the main walking street to Starbucks. Ashley was very excited to have some Chai Tea. As we sat there enjoying the atmosphere and feeling a little like being at home I looked over the tourist map and tried to discover what to do with the day. I found out there was this gigantic Ferris wheel where you could see the entire city from the top, as well as an art and flea market that sounded like fun. So off we went to the tourist’s office to get some more information. They were quite helpful and showed us which public trams to take and how to get to each of the locations.

So we headed down to the flea market. It was kind of a bust. If you wanted some olives or cheese it would be the place to go but there was no art or really anything other than food. It was also a sea of people. We were pretty much swept down the row with the masses of people. So as we moved out of the crowd we decided to check out the Ferris wheel. Across town at what appeared to be a carnival like place was the gigantic Ferris wheel. We paid for a ticket and hopped on board. For maybe twenty minutes the wheel slowly moved around stopping at each point. The day was a little bit foggy but from the top we had panoramic views of the city. At this point we decided to split up and meet up again for dinner.

So I was off to discover the Palace. It was the amazing place with these immaculate gardens. It is hard to describe how massive the gardens were at the back. As I wandered around amidst the many tourists, school children and random jogger I was enthralled by the beauty. I hiked/walked up the side of the hill in the midst of the trees to the top area which is called Glorietta (the picture on the bottom left). From this point you could look down the hill to another fountain and then beyond to the main house. It was truly amazing. After I walked down to the bottom of the hill I sat on a bench and was just delighted to be there enjoying the beautiful fall day and the surrounding gardens.

As time for meeting Ashley was approaching I knew I had one last stop, St Stephen's Cathedral. Since it was the place we were planning on meeting up I saved it until the end. St Stephen's is in the very center of the city and well you could not miss it because it too is huge. I entered the church and just tried to take in my surroundings. The church was built in the gothic style and is full of amazing ornamentation and sculpture. As I had been wandering around all day I thought this would be a good place to take a break and just sit and enjoy the church. I had noticed some kind of music being put on the pews but since the names and information was in German I paid little attention. However, to my surprise as I was sitting there a man came up to the front and announced some kind of program. So I thought I would see what was taking place. A few moments later the church was full of the beautiful sounds of the pipe organ and a choir singing some pieces I believe by Mozart. While I was sitting enjoying the program a sweet nun came over and motioned to sit next to me in my little two person pew. Since she spoke German and I speak only English we just sat listening to the music and smiling at one another.

The rest of the evening was spent shopping at a few of the stores along the street, eating some dinner, and boarding the train for our return home. We arrived back in Budapest around 11:15pm and sleepily made our way back to the flat. 

The Customer is Always Right

This famous phrase is ingrained in me from the many years of working in retail. However, I am very aware that this phrase does not exist in Hungary. I have shared previous experience with the checkout ladies at the grocery store so I have come to expect that the people helping me will not really smile or give any extra assistance. Then, the other day at the post office something happened. A smile...yes the woman behind the counter was smiling at me and trying to be helpful and in her on way through my butchering the Hungarian language joked with me. It was such a shock and a wonderful experience of sending mail. So the day started off on a good note however the initial assessment was not far behind.

Later in the evening as I was purchasing food for the weekly meeting I came across the typical checkout clerk. I did not hand her a certain paper in time so she decided it would be good to let me know in some very angry Hungarian. Needless to say this was the unpleasant part of the day. I am not sure what she was telling me and kept trying to explain that I did not understand but alas we parted ways realizing that I miss customer service but for now I will continue to try and smile and figure out this grocery thing.

Soon to come a visit to Vienna.

Winner Take All

Well last Friday was our first big outreach of the school year. It was called Winner Take All. It was a big carnival of sorts. With lots of fun homemade games for the students to try and win tickets to put into a drawing for prizes. The pictures show a game that was for the entire group using a huge blow up soccer ball. The ball is pushed back and forth between two groups while music plays and then when the music stops whatever side has the ball the other side gets a point. This continues for a few rounds until a winner is declared and candy is thrown out into the audience of the winning side. The ball may not look very threatening but let me tell you it is. It can be quite the experience to be in the path of the gigantic ball and be run down by those chasing the ball. The event was a big success and many students came out.
The evening was full of laughter as students tried to accomplish the different games. I helped run a game that required the person to blow a ping pong ball up a ramp and also a game that included throwing popcorn to a partner where they tried to catch it in their mouth. Not exactly high tech but it was fun watching the attempts.
The evening concluded with the group games, an air guitar contest and then a small message from Andras about the idea of winner take all and how that relates to the message of Christ. I am not sure exactly what he said since it was in Hungarian but I am told it was very good. 

Technical Difficulties

Well one of our lifelines here is the internet. But this past week our connection has not been working in our apartment. There have been brief moments of connection but for the most part we have not been able to get online for but a few moments. Please pray that this would be resolved. Thanks.

From Saturday to Saturday

Last Saturday (one week ago) as I was out and about exploring the city with a friend, we came across this display and thought it would make a fun picture. We had a fun afternoon of trying a new restaurant and checking out a few shops before they closed for the day. Everything closes here so early compared to the States that it can be hard to catch them open on the weekend.

Later that day I met up with my roommates and a couple of students and we explored the Budapest Zoo. I was surprised at how close you could get to the animals. There was one section where the only thing separating us was a thin rope. Thankfully the animals looked like they could have cared less that we were there and did not come over to check us out.

This weekend we celebrated my birthday! We went to a different Mexican restaurant called Iguana’s. I tried a steak burrito and was pleasantly surprised that it tasted pretty good. Not quite a great as Ajo Al's or Someburro's but it tasted like a burrito. YEAH! I think I might have to go back. My staff team was also so generous to give me a birthday gift from a really fun pottery store that is here in Budapest. I will try and take some pictures soon and add it to the photo album. My roommates made the day feel really special and so it was just a nice little treat.

This past week we have started with our two-week long classroom blitz, that culminates in an outreach called "Winner Take All" this coming Friday. Tomorrow I will find myself being the main leader for the next school. I am a little nervous, since speaking in front of groups is not my favorite activity, but I know that the Lord can use me. Most of the time in the classrooms is spent doing fun activities and having times in small groups so that we can interact with the students. At each school we invite the students to come out to the event of "Winner Take All" and we are praying that over 200 would come and participate. It is a carnival of sorts, with homemade games, food and prizes. But most importantly it is a fun time together with the Gospel being shared at the end of the evening.