My last events and trips in Hungary!

Time is running out and I feel like there is just not enough time for it all. First they wrote a report about me! You can look here: http://www.szoboszloihirek.hu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1546%3Aszeretlek-szoboszlo&catid=1%3Afriss-hirek&Itemid=66.Then I spent a week staying at my teacher’s house, tanar no.. And I love her so

much. She was like a real mom to me and I love her! We cooked a lot, laught, played games, and picked raspberries! Then I went home to Hajduszoboszlo and a few days later on July 6th I went to Seged. This is a city in Hungary and it was very pretty! It looked like a mini Budapest. I mean like ‘ a mini Budapest’ because it was full of all of the old buildings and that architecture, but not huge, little town size! There were lots of open walking streets and bits squares. I visited my friend Kriszti there, who I met form the Europe trip, she was our leader. I loved being with her and we had a blast! We went on a Boat trip on the Tisa because the Tisa River runs though the city. Also in front one of the most biggest and famous 

churches in Seged they set up a stage. Then were a big musical and we got tickets and went! Really nice ☺ Through out the weekend we went to zoo, walked around, got ice-cream, tried her workout class, and had a great time. When I arrived home, I once again started off on another trip. This time I went with my Hajduszoboszlo family on Monday the 9th to lake Balaton. This is a HUGE lake.. And I mean huge! It is like more than 74 kilometers long! We stayed in BalatonFured on the first day and went to the ‘beach’. We got pinakoladas and I had an amazing time. The next morning we also went to the beach and swimming and then we went to Tihany. This is a ‘mountain’ type thing that is in

the lake, but connected to the land. On top they have a really famous church. We saw the church and went around the little village at the top. It is more of a tourist village full of stores and things like this but completely Hungarian. This is because all of the old buildings are still there from a long time ago so one story, white buildings with roofs made of some grassy material! They had really Hungarian restaurants and lots of good gift shops. They also had a paprika house that was full of dried/spicy peppers! I loved Tihany and was sad when we left but we went and ate dinner next to the water. We had the famous fish soup that is usually eaten at Christmas time but since we were at the lake where there are fresh fish we got some!

We also got Hungarian style fish. What they do is take the fish. Then you fry it or do something to it so it is completely crispy. They do not de bone it or even cut off the head or the tails. Then you get it with eyeballs and everything… I cut the head off and ate the rest but the crazy part was that they cooked it for so long that you could not even tell if it was the bone that was crunchy… :/ ha-ha then on Wednesday we went on a boat trip to a another town next to the Balaton. We went to Siofok. They’re where tons of streets full of venders and it were actually really nice. They also had a long board walk type thing where we walked next to the water. The water was so warm 28 C! But it is so hot here like 38/40 C that any kind of water

feels good! We then went back with boat and to a near by mountain area. On the hill of this mountain were tons of vineyards. And there were as lots of ‘basements’ where they made and kept the wine. You could go in try and buy wine! It was really cool and I tried white wine and it was ok. The next day we got up and left the Balaton ☹ we did not go far we went to another city called Harkany. Here they have the only sulfur water in all of Europe and it is one of the three only sulfur waters in the world! It was extremely smelly really good for the skin! Then that night we went a street where there are just places where you can try and buy wine. Of course they also have some Hungarian so I ha fried duck fat! Ha ha. Then we

went into Pecs which is a big and famous city in Hungary. It is really beautiful and especially at night because everything is lit up! We walk around and got more ice cream. I think on this trip we eat more ice cream than I have ever had in my life! The next day we started home because the drive was really long and we did not get home until 5 at night! I have been having a blast and got a really good tan! All is well.. With less than a week here in Hungary!! I also got my results and I passed my language exam!! You can check out my results here! http://ecl2.inyt.pte.hu/public/examination.aspx?dip=aafcabvfyxf

More durning my life in Hungary

The day after I got back on the Europe tour, on June 15th, I had a language exam in Budapest. It was not the greatest idea to take a Hungarian language exam after you have just been speaking English for 11 days, but hey we will see in 30 days how it turned out. First we got a packet and had to complete it in 35 minutes. It was two pieces of reading and then questions to answer about then reading. Then we got another packet that was for the writing test and that was for 45 minutes. This was also about two topics. Then we got another packet that was for the listening activity. The whole activity was 15minutes and you had to listen to two things and during them answer questions. Then came the speaking part.

We were put into pairs. My pair was a man who was maybe in his 40s. Then again we had to talk about two topics with each other while they recorded it and judged it!  I got home and had a few days to rest before I went to the Tisa with 8 of my girl friends. The Tisa is a big river in Hungary and it is only like 1.30 or 2 hours from us and it is almost like a beach. We were staying by ourselves and I had an amazing time! Then when I got home, I was greeted by two surprises! One was my host sister VIKI who just got home from Brazil. In her hands was a little 3-week-old puppy! Luca! She was so cute and we had so

much fun playing together. But I also had a lot of fun with Viki! We talked a lot and even though we did not have much time together I really felt like we got close! Now that I had less than a month to go and no more school I had to start staying good-bye to people and that was horrible. It was very weird saying good-bye to some one even though you are still there for another 2 weeks. I am defiantly getting excited to go home! I will see you guys soon!

On June 4th started the second Europe tour. We got up early and made our way to Prague! We arrive around noon or so and had a tour guide during the afternoon. It was super excited and super beautiful. We started on at the castle and walked down these beautiful steps. They were wide and long and at the very end of them you arrive at the famous beautiful bridge. From the bridge you can see lots of Prague and it is so beautiful with the river flowing through it and all of the old, but amazing buildings. It was filled with huge squares, lots of people, and life! That night after we had dinner I wen back into the city with one of my friends. Since Prague is so old we went on a ghost tour! It was so crazy, but not

really that scary! Ha ha. So anyway, we got to go into the dungeons and find out about all the ‘haunted places in Prague.
The next day we woke up early and had a long trip to Cologne. We only arrived around dinnertime and after dinner I went looking at the city. It is a very small city and there is not much to see in it, but what you can see is amazing. I walked through the city while it was still light out and then I walked across the bridge with lots of locks ☺ over the opposite side of the famous church. From there I waited for the sun to set while sitting on a huge wall. It was like the wall was made for people to watch the sun set and to watch the town light up! There were tons of other

people there. They were drinking and talking and even some brought a picnic! The next day we went into the church and had some free time in the city. They have a huge open mall. It is like out side and the buildings are so huge and it was really cool! It was like you were just walking through a city, were only people could walk and it was filled with restaurants, bakeries, and amazing stores! Then we went to the Lindt chocolate factory. This was a lot better than the other factory because they showed you how the make chocolate, where it come from, and we also got to see the machines. Then we traveled to Amsterdam… I LOVE AMSTERDAM! Right when we got there it was happy hour and we had

fresh Heineken. I love the smell, I think because of my dad, but after two sips I gave it away. ha ha. At night we went into the red light district. I had no idea what it would be like but it was so interesting to me. Mainly because the culture and the people are so open to the prostitutes. But I mean I do not think it is a bad thing at all because it is something special about Amsterdam. The other thing that is special is that weed is legal! They are going to change that law for people that come to Amsterdam but I was still like wow. They are famous for coffee shops, which might sell coffee, but the important part is that they sell brownies. The brownies are filled with weed.. ha ha. So anyway it was also interesting because the

people that live there are not high, because from them it is a normal thing so it is not like oh my gosh this is so crazy, we had to get super high. So then the next day we had a tour of the city. It was truly a beautiful city and that is another reason that I loved it. It was green and full of water cannels. In the water cannels there were lots of boats and even houseboats! I would so live on a houseboat! After that we went on a boat tour and we learned about the houses and architecture. Individuality the buildings are really thin and skinny. That is because it does not matter how tall your building is, you just have to pay taxes for how much space you are taking on the ground. So everyone builds
up. Since they have little room on one actually

level, it is hard to fit furniture into the house. So they have a hook on the top of the building and form that they pull up the furniture to different levels of the house! I even got to see one happening!
From Amsterdam we traveled to Bruges on the 7th. Unfortunately we just arrived to the cute little city when it was about 9 at night and dark, but it was still beautiful. I went into the city with two of my good friends, Gabby and Maddie and we walked around. It was filled with little cobble stone streets and lots of restaurants. We sat down and had waffles; cause no better places to have waffles than in Belgium!
We set of to London, the next day. It was not to

far, but when we arrived to the boarder we went through customs and then you can take a boat to London or you can take a train (some how you need to cross the sea). We took the train and it was so crazy! Really! So it is like a huge train that is completely allow on the inside. Cars and busses drive into it and then it goes under the water! So then when we arrived I started off, feeling good, cause I knew I would not get lost… EVERYTHING WAS IN ENGLISH! Haha what a shock after such a long time! So anyway I saw the Kings Cross, took pictures at platform 9 and ¾, saw the London eye, when through all of the gardens and got really tired. It was a long but amazing day and on the next day I did the same

thing! We went on a hope on and off bus tour and went though all of the same places and also to the London bridge and the castle! They were so beautiful! On the 9th we left for Paris, and rode the same train out of London. We arrived to Paris and I did not really know what to expect, and honestly I did not think it was going to be that great but it was AMAZING. I started off look at everything in the Latin district. It was full of beautiful architecture and also churches. Then I went to Notre Dam! That was also very beautiful and breathe taking. I walked around the islands there and so was that. Full of shops, restaurants, and little streets (just how I like it). Then I made my was to the Louvre but I was just then getting

dark. That was ok cause when I arrived the sky was dark blue and the Louvre and the pyramids were gold from the lights and reflecting into the water! Now that was breath taking. I continued to the Eiffel tower and saw it sparkle every hour for five minutes! I arrived back at the hotel late, and then in just a few hours had to get up again. We went on a hop and off bus trip again, going into buildings, looking and squares, taking pictures and learning about Paris. We had some free time in the after noon and I went to the Sacre Coeur Basilica. In front of the church there was a big courtyard that was full of steps and people were sitting on it and it was full of life. I went into the church and then climbed up it. It was hard work

but when I got to the top I could see all of Paris! It was so beautiful especially since I would see everything and also the Eiffel tower! The food in Paris was also great but my favorite was the crep! Exhausted, we headed to Luxembourg. Luxembourg is a small country and they also have a city Luxembourg inside of it. We went to the city and the country. It is in a lush green valley and super cute. You can tell that it is a wealthy place cause the shops are fancy, the streets are clean, and it was well taken care of. There is still a huge wall the is running through out the valley what used to be to keep out the invaders. We had a tour and then alter in the night I went with Maddie and Gabby back into the city and we walked around!
We made our way now to Germany, and to Stuttgart. Here they have the Mercedes Benz Museum. I am not really interested in cars, so it was kind of boarding but oh well. Then we traveled to Munchen! We went into the city at night but we got rained out. Luckily the next day on the 14th we had good luck with weather and it was a beautiful day!  I loved

Munchen and it was such a cool city full of history. Not only were the buildings so beautiful then you would find out that this was Hitler’s head courters, or that when the American army took over their base was here! Also they had a big beer building where they brood beer and served it. I do not think I have ever seen so many people together drink beer and eating and have a great time. The women carried out 7 or 8 huge mugs of beer in each hand! It was crazy! There was also a huge market that had all kind of things, and since it was summer they had like 10000000 kinds of veggies and fruits and everything was so colorful! It was great, and it was a super ending to my trip ☹ but I was a nice trip and I think I enjoyed it

more than the other one because it had more places of interest and I was always busy. Also because I made two new amazing friends, Gabby from Alaska and Maddie from Australia (love the accent) I had a great time!!! I love Europe!

Class Trip!

Starting on Friday, June 1st I went with my class on our class trip. In Hungary every class has a class trip. Some time they even go out of the country! We just went to Budapest and another city Esztergom. Esztergom is right on the Slovakian boarder and so we walked across a bridge and we were in another country. Then we went back to Budapest to the place that we were staying. It was really fun cause we were staying in these little cabin things. At night we went to watch the stars :) The next day in the morning we just hung around, kick the soccer ball, went food shopping and had fun. In the afternoon we went to a museum that was full of physic things. Then

We went to an exhibit that was to show you what it is like for a blind person. There was a big building and it was pure dark inside. We were in groups of maybe 10 and we were leaded by a real blind person. They talked to us and they walked us through this man made city. There was a market with real vegetables, statues, cars, steps, bridges and everything that might be in a city. It was crazy because when we told him our names he remembered our voices and call us by our names. It was so crazy! Ha ha. Then we went back to the cabins and cooked a big dinner we cooked over a fire in the famous Hungarian big pot thing! The next day we climbed up the big hill in Budapest

And we got to see all of Budapest. When we were heading back to Debrecen I got off the bus on the other side of Budapest because I was staying there to go on my next Europe tour and so I told everyone that I was really happy to be their classmate and the typical things like that! I ended up getting a little sad when I was talking about it and then when I got off the bus I was so surprised to find a line of people... no a line of my friends coming off the bus to give me hugs. I started to cry and really know that I am going to miss them!

Travels... travels!

On May 18th I went to Transilvania. Everyone knows Transilvania because it is supposed to be the vampire place.. But really it is a really important place for Hungary. After world two the whole area of transilvania was taken from Hungary and Romania got the whole area. At that time people and their family who had been living in this area since forever where now in a new country. More than 1/3 of the area that used to be Hungary was now part of Romania. This contained some of the most beautiful land in all of the world. Full of valleys, lush green rolling hills, caves, snowy mountain and big rivers! So Rotary has a trip there every year for the Rotary members to go

Back and visit the old part of Hungary. I went with them and it was really nice to be with them on the trip because not only did I get to see the beautiful place, but I also got to learn from the Hungarians who are so hurt from the loss of part of their country. They explained to me how life here was super hard with the communist and everything and how the Hungarians suffered a lot. Through out time they were not even allowed to move to Hungary! There are parts of Romania where everything is build up and there are McDonnell's and things. But the little villages are still occupied by Hungarians and are just the same as they were 100 years ago! When we drove

Through them they looked at our big bus like it was so interesting and new for them! They all waved and the Rotary members told me that is because they live so simply that no one has cars. They told me to look around the villages and find a store, I tried and I could not find one. That is because they do not need to buy anything they make everything for there selfs. Everyone had animals and big gardens... I actually felt like life there would not be so bad! We went all the way to the old Hungary boarder and it was like a 11 or 10 hour drive! Throughout the 3 day trip we went to some amazing cities that used to be part of Hungary. They were really nice and beautiful!

They were very colorful and the roofs were mostly red!! It was a truly amazing trip! Then when I got home the Europe Swimming Championships were starting and with my Zatik parents I went to the first day of events! It was really fun and we cheered for the Hungarians who did really well and in the end won over all!!! On the weekend of the 27th I went with the Zatik family to Eger! This is a city in Hungary and it is an amazing city! Along the way we saw a field full of flowers and we went and took pictures in it! ha ha then we arrived at Eger! There is a huge castle in the middle of it, that was used for war. You can still go in it and look around and see

Everything because it was not destroyed. We also walked around the center of the city and all through it. It was so beautiful and full of life and people that it became my favorite city in Hungary! Plus next to the city there is a  big hill and on the other side there are huge vineyards and they have this big square were they have all these basements where you can buy wine! It was super cute!! Then on May 31st I had my last day of school :( it was so weird because I was not leaving yet, I would just not be back in school.

South Europe Trip!

On April 25 I started truly traveling and seeing the world, it changed my life! On the first day we went to Slovenia into a big cave. It was so beautiful and was huge! We had to take a train inside of it!! Then we traveled further to Trieste where we spend the evening. It was such a beautiful city next the the ocean. I twas very interesting because there were no beaches there were just board walks! Plus I had my first real Italian ice-cream! When we had dinner we learned all about the Italian gastronomy. So they have a bread before they eat. And then they make pasta as an appetizer and then they have their main meal. When we got a huge piece of lasagna it was amazing and we were so full and then came the

Main meal, always something meet. And then came the dessert of course!! So then next morning we woke up early and went to Florence! Wow it was so beautiful. We had a guided tour and learned all about the city, history, and the art. It was all so beautiful and one time I turned away from the group and took a picture and they kept going! I got lost and after like 30 minutes of running around, crying, and trying to find a phone I found them! Then again at night I went back into the city and got to see the sunset from a hill. I looked down on the city and saw the city glowing with lights!! They had a huge market in a court yard where lots of people were gathered. It was so cool cause they were all playing soccer, talking and hanging out even though it was like midnight! There were so many statues everywhere that it is just unbelievable. Unfortunately the David is in a museum so we only got to see the fake one! There tongues also a famous statues of a pig and if you put a coin on its tongue and it falls into the place below then you will for sure be going back! Mine went in! The next day we started our

Journey to Rome! Ahh it was so great! So we arrived at around 3 and we were staying out side of the city. So I took  a bus in and then I went to the Vatican. I went with an American guide and learned a lot. Then I went further into the city and wow it was so beautiful! It was around sun set and I got to watch the sun set from a bridge and it was really pretty. I mostly looked at all of the fountains and enjoyed the feeling of being in Rome! There were happy people everywhere and life in the city! I was super tired by midnight and the next day we had a guided tour of the city. It was really long and we saw everything! The colosseum was huge and amazing and so was the

Forum! I did not go into the Forum I just walked around it and it was amazing! While I was walking around I saw a market and it was full of amazing Italian meats, pastas, and sauces! It was super fun especially since it was not really for tourists! I loved Rome! The next day we went to Pisa. There is a beautiful court and in it there were 4 beautiful buildings. They were the baptistry, the church, graveyard building and the tower! Then we continued to Monaco! It was really beautiful and crazy that there were speak mountains and then right off the mountain cliff was Crystal clear blue water! Plus Monaco was really interesting since it was its own country! Then we went to Nice. It was also really beautiful and ha ha. There was a part of the city that I really liked and that was the old town part. There was tiny streets with colorful venders everywhere and wow it was really amazing! Plus there were all kinds of bakeries, places to eat and it was so amazing! Also every day in France for breakfast I had a chocolate croissant! It was really delicious!

Then we started off to Switzerland making a stop at a chocolate factory. Switzerland was beautiful and especially Luzern. We got their at night and it was crazy because we went into the city around 8 at night and I was so used to the Italian

Life style, but there was no one in the city. It was almost like a ghost town because no one was in the street and nothing was open! Ha ha. But the next day we had a tour of the city and it was truly beautiful. There were swans swimming everywhere in the water and beautiful old bridges and there was even a huge old wall. On the wall were towers and you could walk on the wall and go up some of the towers. Form the towers there was an amazing view of the city and the huge lake with mountains behind it!

The next day we went to Innsbruck Austria where we went into the Swavarki Crystal factory. I thought it was going to be really dumb but it was actually really interesting because I realized that their work is art just with crystals! Then we went to Graz! We had a guide and I really liked this city. It was kind of similar to the way Hungary is but richer. It was very similar the Vienna with the old buildings but in the shops they are full of nice things with huge glass windows. The streets were full of people and happiness. Plus there are mountains surrounding it and there is also a river in the middle of the city! I had the most amazing time traveling and I am looking forward to the next Europe trip!!!

Fun with the Family!

Lately I have been having lots of fun with the family and we have been doing lots of family things! So on Friday the 20th we went to Meg-a-Star. This a show this is just like American Idol but it is different. We have been watching it every friday night at home and then somehow my host dad got tickets for the three of us!! :) it was so cool and it was a real studio too! So we went in and then we got seats and then we waited. They taught us, the audience, when we should clap, how we could clap and things like that! Then it started and it was live! ha ha with brakes and everything I think it was like a two and a half hour show and the breaks were very short so they
 
Broke us into groups and then only once we
could go out. It was really fun and we laughed alot and even sang! haha I had a lot of fun! Then we drove home, and the next morning we got up early and Emi and I went with her class to Nyirikhaza which is a city that is famous for their zoo. It was in the middle of a forest and really beautiful! I really enjoyed being with Emi, walking around, laughing and having fun! Then the next day I went with my Debrecen family 1 the Zatik family to Balaton. This is the famous lake in Hungary! It is really big and super beautiful. We looked around and we were looking for a new house! Because they wanted to buy a summer house! It was really fun cause I got to know the Hungarian real-estate!    

Then I waited on day in Budapest by myself before the big trip around Europe! It was really fun and I got to see Budapest in springparliament which was really beautiful! Especially the Margit Island which is full of plants and was completely green. The other thing that was beautiful was the parliament at night! Budapest is truly one of the most beautiful cities!