I know you are all excited about my first entry from Budapest, all two of you!

I have been here for two days, and so far, it's great. Although I kinda feel like I am on vacation. Everything is kind of overwhelming and I don't really know what to tell you about first. Hmm...let's see. My apartment is so cute. It's right down the street from the school I will be working at, about a four minute walk. My bedroom is like a tiny closet, but will be cosy, once I get a bed. Right now I am sleeping on the couch. The view is amazing since it is on the fifth floor, and provides a view of the whole town of Diosd. Diosd is actually where I am living, a short bus ride outside the city of Budapest. Today I went into Budapest with some girls, teachers at the school where I work. It was amazing. We went to this huge indoor market where there were hundreds of booths set up selling everything you can imagine. All sorts of foods; veggies, fruits, meats (especially sausages and salami's) fresh breads, pastries, and sweets. Also tons of clothes, linens, knick-nacks (not sure i've actually ever said that word), and basically anything you can think of. It was insane. Hundreds of people milling around and all of them speaking a language I cannot even begin to understand. It was really hard to buy stuff with the communication barrier. After today I know what it feels like to be illerate, and it is not fun. It actually made me feel really stupid, and I don't like feeling that way. That is definitely one of my goals, to learn some Hungarian as fast as I can. So, at the market we bought some breads, cheeses, and fruits for lunch and took them to the park with us for a picnic. It was cool because the park is on an island, Margart Island (Margitsziget, in Hungarian) in the middle of the Danube River. The entire mile long island is a park. The island was named after the daughter of King Bela IV (1235-1270) who lived in a Dominican convent here during the 13th century. The ruins of the convent are still there and it was awesome to walk somewhere that others did over 600 years ago! It also has amazing trees, lots of flowers, walking biking and running paths, fountains, and even a few hotels. I will post some pictures of it later. Ok, I'm really tired and ready for bed, so I'm gonna be done with this for tonight. Oh, first I'll tell you a few differences I've noticed...you flush the toilet here by pulling a chain that hangs from the ceiling (took me a while to figure that one out!), the cars are much smaller, women carry wicker baskets to the grocery to bring their purchases home or else you have to buy a plastic bag (it is so cute), the water tastes like a brillo pad (thanks goodness for Brita), the old people are adorable, and...man, I knew there were more but now I can't remember. I'll put more next time, along with some pictures.

Goodnight, well for ya'll, Good afternoon!