Current obsession: greenery
Current weather: about 13°c, overcast and slight rain

So my morning started like this:
Stress

Then it continued like this:
Pack, pack, get frustrated, then pack some more.

Then the taxi came, and I said farewell to Ants (5:1oam), who had unselfishly stayed up all night while I slept so he could be sure that I woke up when my alarm went off (3:50am).

It only took a 20mins to get to St. Pancras, which was very helpful, as I didn’t have to stress about running to catch a train… which was late btw – by 5 mins.  This made me stress a little, as it was meant to be a 4o min journey, and I still had to catch a shuttle bus at the other end to the actual airport (Luton).  Turns out, that was all fine.  I did have to sit by a very alcohol/smoke smelling guy who was on his way home from the night before though.  With little sleep, that made *me* feel hungover! Thankfully I had a starbucks soya hot chocolate and sudoku to keep me company.

The train driver made up his time, which was very nice of him.  There were many people on the train making their way home from the night before though… all dressed up and falling asleep.

I made the boarding call with 15 mins to spare, and made my way to the queue for my Wizzair flight to Budapest.  Seating was strange… we could sit where we wanted. I’m not sure if I like that idea. If the plane went down, and there is no manifest of who was sitting where, that’s one less way of identifying the body. On the otherhand it was good because I could sit in the isle – which twitchy me likes

Sleep and sudoku were my agenda for the flight, and it wasn’t long until we landed. Budapest is still in the conversion stage of using Euro’s which was annoying because I had Euros. So I had to convert some so I could find my way to town.  This was a challenge because the foriegn currency exchange girl didn’t speak English. How silly is that? English is a trade language… you are in an international airport… spot the difficulty here?

The information guy was helpful though, thankfully, because the airport shuttle girl was in a right strop. I think it’s because I didn’t purchase a hop-on-hop-off tour from her, and I pulled her up for charging me 5000ft (Hungarian money is Ft), instead of 4990Ft.  I did get a return shuttle journey though which is valid 24/7, which means when I leave I don’t have to spend the night in the airport (as was originally planned).

The Grand Hostel is really nice though. it’s clean, friendly, has character, and is really pleasent. It also has internet which is always helpful. This is my room, you can see all my junk in the corner there:

After settling in, and reinstating my msn on the computer (Ants-with-way-too-much-time-on-his-hands has been using it, so I thought I better put my account on it… add me) I went for a wander to find some food.

I managed to find an ATM, and also a fruit and veg stall. And a MickyD’s (seeing as I hadn’t eaten since 4:30am).  I also managed to find a mini-mart of sorts.  I need to get some correction tape/white-out/twink (whatever you like to call it) and fix up my application for the job I’m supposed to be applying for.  I found something that I thought was it, but couldn’t be sure. In the mean time, the manager saw me ‘lurking’ so as I left and didn’t buy anything he came racing out after me and gestured that I’d stolen the bananas in my bag. The funny thing is, I didn’t even see any bananas in the store! Thankfully their was a recipt in the bag, so instead of gesturing wildly that I brought them from the market up the road, I held the reciept up. Win.

Wandering back, I took in all the greenery and smells. The suburb I’m in is so peaceful, and calming, even with the traffic racing, and the trams rolling past. I also came across some lovely drops of rain that had collected in the pine trees.

I also noticed how the buildings seem to hide in behind the trees, giving the illusion that you’re much more isolated than you actually are.

yes, there is a house in there

Once back at the hostel, I took advantage of the garden and my free welcome drink – a large Jimmies and Coke. mmm… and sat and read, and did sodoku until it really got too cold to do so.

Course tomorrow.  It should only take me about 1/2 hour to walk to the insitiute which is good. I have a funny feeling it’s all uphill as well, which means fitness for me! I might go back to London skinny!

Two weeks until we decide whether we’re going back to NZ or not. Ants has to have a job or be starting a job asap in two weeks or we’re going home in August. Big decisions.

Current Mood: lethargic

Tags: Budapest, Early Childhood, Pikler, travel