Szentendre

So let's talk about the last couple of days! I finished up my first week of school. I'm already starting to stress out about mid-terms, and it's only syllabus week! I've met tons of students from all over the world, and lots of students from Hungary as well. My classes generally have a good mix of international students, so there's lot's of different people. 

      And I got my library card and got new school supplies and everything. The new year is starting off right. Picture break:

Don't ask me why this exists, but it does

Checking out the Corvinus Library on Campus

On Friday, the API group got together at an apartment and we cooked some traditional Hungarian food that Reka showed us how to make called Paprikas krumpli. Personally I enjoy cooking very much and this was a fun day for everyone to get out of the rain and enjoy some yummy food.

And afterwards I found this whole street dedicated to books! (At least that's what it seemed like) There were dozens of bookstores, old, new and everything in between. And you can bet I went into every single one of them.

Because, books are the best things in life

There is something very calming about browsing a bookstore and it's especially exciting to check out the differences in cover art!

Today we took a  day trip to Szentendre, a smaller town outside of Budapest near the river. It was a wonderful break from the city and a great chance to enjoy a piece of the Hungarian countryside.

One of the unique highlights of this town is its Marzipan Museum where they have all their exhibits completely crafted from Marzipan.

Like Michael Jackson, for example

Or Pinocchio

Even a nativity set! Yup, all made with Marzipan

As far as graffiti goes, this is adorable

The Danube River

Coffee and gelato with Charlotte and Jonathon :)

The restaurant we stopped at for lunch had currency from all over the world tacked to their walls. I must say, that's a pretty great way to leave your mark.

And if they ever go bankrupt, they're good to go

The town was full of small, winding streets that mozied to the top of a hill. This one in particular had an irresistible charm to it. Plus, there was a puppy behind that gate.

Hobbit hole anyone?

Then we had the opportunity to visit an open air museum where they have reconstructed old dwellings to preserve the everyday life of the past.

There were several groups of dwellings, each taken from a different part of the old Hungary to represent how different peoples lived, depending on their location. Below is just one example of a home with a traditional three room set up:

They had a kitchen

A living area/bedroom

And one more room that was traditionally used for important events only.

A pretty sunflower

My favorite part of the museum was the little farm they kept on the property. They kept a donkey,

pigs,

Hairy pigs,

Curly horned sheep,

And horses!

,

It was definitely a fun-filled day. The open air museum reminded of the road trips my family and I would take as kids around the US. Where we'd stop at all the little historical places there were, famous or not. As long as there were settlers and pilgrims and Native Americans to learn about, my family was there. It made me miss them, and I appreciated this trip even more. Szentendre has definitely been a highlight of my experience thus far. And I look forward to the adventures to come!

     -Natalie