Hungarian Cultural Heritage Days

So this weekend was the annual Hungarian Cultural Heritage Days! Which means I got to wander around the city for fun and visit some cool museums for free!!! You will have to check my link here under "Hungary pictures" and see some of the cool stuff!

The ethnographic museum was definitely the coolest - not only did I learn more about the Hungarian people but about some amazing art! Did you know that the Hungarian people originated close to China and from the designs in the fabric and early paintings it looks as though they may be of mixed Chinese and Russian decent - never would have guessed that in a million years! Also, the museum had an amazing display of Agnus Dei - Lamb of God - depicted in folk art of the Hungarian people. It was really cool to see all of the handicrafts that they used to depict their Catholic Heritage.

I'm still constantly working on developing my Hungarian speaking skills, but it's a lot harder than KiSwahili!!! Plus, I am working with kids that speak English on a daily basis and really only get to spend time out in the community on Sundays. So, I will only be able to teach you a few Hungarian words next time I see you - but I'll be able to have a conversation in Swahili! No worries - at least I am more cultured in the Hungarian Heritage now!

Slip 'N' Slide Whirlpool

You would think that after being a life guard for over a decade that I would have learned what is "proper etiquette in a pool! However, this is me we are talking about! I got in trouble at Kehina Thermal Pool by going into the middle of the vortex! I got the whistle blown at me - WOAHHHHH! Well, now I know where not to go! Then after that, another life guard came up to me and asked me to give the kids a chance to go down the water slide because I was "hogging" it! Yes, I was hogging the water slide - it was a really cool tube slide with flashing and twinkle lights inside - it reminded me of Magic Mountain at Disney - so I kept going down it! Plus, I had interesting fun with my bathing suit now that it is 4 times to large - HILARIOUS! What do you expect? It is me we are talking about!

Well, as you can tell I got to have some fun this week. The faculty and staff of ICSB went on their annual retreat - first of all to recover from the first 3 weeks of school and secondly to grow a little closer! We had a last minute change of retreat location - and let me tell you that everyone was more than happy at the change of accommodations! There were 7 swimming pools, natural hot springs, saunas and hot tubs! We were spoiled rotten. There was also a massage parlor and I took advantage of the pedicures to try and get my feet back in shape from all of the Congo sandal wearing! You wouldn't even recognize my toes - I was trying to explain to the lady who I think only spoke German and Hungarian that I used to have cute feet! She just smiled and nodded as she tried to shave all of the calluses off the bottom of my feet! But they are some gorgeous toes - pics are on their way!

Well, the best part of the weekend was the guest speaker, Ronnie Stephens from Danube International Church here in Budapest. I swear that God was talking to me through him about the story of Joseph and the picture of redemption ministry. I was in tears almost every session and knew that this was exactly the encouragement I needed to hear! I got to spend some quality time with my fellow teachers and staff and feel a lot more connected at the school. I really got some quality time sharing some of my Congo story and feel a little more "known." I don't know how we got to be blessed with this retreat - but as for me - it has made my month!