I've had really good timing on my last couple visits to Hungary. My last visit was just in time for my Hungarian high school class' reunion and a family vacation with my wonderful honorary host family, the Tóth (pronounced "toht") family.
This time, I got to be present for the confirmation of my little sister Csenge (sounds like Chen-geh). Her older sister Flori is studying abroad right now in Holland, so I was lucky enough to stand in for her.
I got to see aunts, uncles, cousins, and godparents. We had a big Hungarian lunch and a relaxing time visiting with each other.
And Csenge's finally learning English in school, so I helped her to understand a few pages of the book she's started! My next visit's in July, so I probably won't be having a full-on English conversation with her quite yet, but perhaps on the visit after that? I'm so proud of her. I can't believe what a beautiful young lady Csenge has become. She was just 8 years old when I lived with her, and look at her now!
I got to spend plenty of time with my other two host families as well! I dyed Easter eggs with my first host family, which was really nice, because my host sister was home for the holiday from her university in Budapest--I haven't gotten to see her since 2007, because she hasn't been home during my last 3 visits! I also got to go have lunch on the farm with my second host family. We ate good, good Hungarian food, and then sat on the porch with some cool drinks in the sun, chatting and laughing at my host dogs rolling around the yard.
The two little houses and barn you see were where I lived with my second host family. In the houses--not the barn. ;)
The week went by quickly, but I got to see the most important people, I consumed the 3 Hungarian "P"s (palacsinta-read the etymology for a chuckle, pogácsa, and pálinka), and got to spend time walking around my old hometown. I'm very much looking forward to seeing everyone again in July.
On the Austrian side, I've had my first nightmare about going home. Don't get me wrong here! I've been having bizarre dreams lately, and it was only a nightmare because I hadn't gotten to say goodbye to anyone! I woke up from a dream that I'd come home without saying my goodbyes, but woke up in a hotel room in America, and started sobbing because I thought it'd only been a dream that I'd left (Inception?). When I woke up for real, I saw the familiar outlines of my Austrian bedroom and was incredibly relieved...but my heart was still pounding.
I'm just trying to remember to soak this all in now. I've only got 2 1/2 months left in Austria, and I'll fly home to Eureka exactly 3 months from today. I'm freaking out a little bit, so if you're a praying person, I would be so thankful for prayers of peace in these last weeks.
Grace and peace to each of you,
Hilary
