August 31 – First Day

Mixed emotions…

First of all from the airport we caught a bus to another bus to a metro (like NY subway) to another bus. It was difficult to get around with three bags plus a laptop bag equaling 140+ pounds with two small females carrying them but we made it four hours later.

Don’t listen to the stereotypes of Hungary – Budapest is HUGE! I would say it’s bigger and more hectic than Atlanta. (Interesting fact - the first song I heard on the bus in Budapest was Nelly Fertado's - I'm Like a Bird)

As soon as I arrived in Veszprem I knew I loved it. The city is beautiful. The people are friendly and there is no crime ever since the police forced the gypsies into another city years ago. (I was warned that if a gypsy asks for money then just give it to them because they will pull a knife or gun in broad day light in crowds. From what I know so far they sound like gangs back in the US but I’m not sure if this is correct).

I’m one of the only Americans in Hungary. I am definitely the only American Veszprem. Sometimes I feel like a freak show. These two guys went so far as to ask to see my passport because they didn’t believe me. They have never met an American before. When I hear some one say “Amerikai” I know they are talking about me. My name is not Ashley anymore, it’s Amerikai. There is a mix between curious/friendly and curious/rude. I hate when I talk to some one then as soon as I walk away they laugh…

With the mix between jet lag, feeling like a circus clown, the internet going down that night, and just being away from home; I cried myself to sleep. I really started thinking I made the biggest mistake of my life. The night ended with me holding my penguin and crying myself to sleep.