When we made it to the hostel, it was up 5 flights of very steep stairs in the warm 90 degree Hungarian air. Jillian Michael's yall. There was a lift and everything but I said, "Come on its only 4 stories." From the 1st level. We were on the ground, which is 0 here for some reason. It actually makes sense when you think about it, but when you are walking up the stairs and thinking about it, it seems absurd. The workers here are so incredibly nice. They are all young and don't wear shoes and of course have long hair. They are men, just so you get the image. Everything is so relaxed and no worries. I love it. We got checked in and got our really cool key bracelets to get us in the doors and our host pulled out a map and showed us the cheapest exchange, the grocery, good eats (thank god), and some attractions. We are staying in the old Jewish Quarter which is the home for pubs and food. Sounds like a good pick, Jane (give yourself a pat on the back). We took a second to charge our phones and reapply copious amounts of deotorant and sunscreen (for me at least) before we headed to the exchange and then W35 (a recommendation from the hostel). The walk introduced us to about 7 secondhand stores that we must go in once open. The restaurant was Mexican and American fusion- Hungarian style (try to picture it). The food was good and it was fairly priced so no complaints. Katelyn had her third hamburger of the trip so she can't complain about the local Hungarian food I am about to devour!!! Actually, Katelyn has really impressed me. While she does love her plain and American food, she has tried so much while we have been gone and most of it she has liked! She ate a fresh cherry for the FIRST time in Switzerland and loved it. The same day she tried salmon and asparagus and even got seconds of the asparagus. For a night cap she had hot tea!! What is going on? So proud of her expanding her food horizons.
Cybil saw something on the map that sparked her interest so we tried out the Great Market Hall on the banks of the Danube. It was pretty touristy and less local than I would have wanted. I think I am spolied on markets because I am so used to Fairhope's Arts and Crafts Festival. These are all child's play and I refuse to believe or be impressed by what they claim is handmade. However, I do want to support these people so I made a small purchase. It is for you mom and I would be shocked if it wasn't handmade (just so you know).
On the opposite bank we spotted more tents and inquired about that market when we found out it was a BEER AND FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL. Is this the greatest discovery besides Luc Grun's gallery? I think yes. We went over and got this amzing prepaid card thing. You loaded as much money as you wanted on there and then could get the money back on departure if you didn't spend it all. It was a very efficient system and perfect for those who have a limit to spend, or don't want to spend too much. I was impressed. Tangent: I am also impressed by the metro stations here. They are insanely clean, beautiful and upgraded. Back to the beer. I stopped at a booth named Szent Andras. Obviously I picked well since this is my Hungarian nephew's name. I was pretty obligated to get beer here if you ask me. He would have wanted that for me if he had been there. He just likes to see me happy. I was told by a young man in line that I needed to try the cherry beer, but my love for dark beer had me indecisive. That should come as a shock to you all. Me, not being able to make a decision? Unheard of!! HA. So naturally I asked the bar tender which one to get and he gave me both so I guess that answers that. I have pledged my loyalty to Szent Andras Brewery. That was amazing. I'm not saying I don't owe a lot to Avondale Brewing Company back home, but this is a new world. I could have died after the first sips and felt that I had lived a full life. It was that good. Incredibly smooth and perfectly flavored. Sitting there in the midst of the festival we just stumbled upon was a top time of the trip. Just visiting and watching people and trying new things- this is the life I want full time.
When we got back to the hostel, I facetimed Chrisitan. Christian, I have to put this in here, but lucky you, I have cooled down a little since the conclusion of our conversation. If you don't know, Christian is one of my best friends, but we act as if we have been married for 32 years. Well Christian doesn't want me to leave Birmingham and when I mentioned that I was changing my plan again and may want to work abroad for some time or explore the opportunities here, it didn't go over well. I can understand that he wants me to figure out what I want to do with my life, but I don't like that it has to be in Birmingham. I love Birmingham, I think you all know that, but I also realize that it may be time for me to leave. Christian thinks that this is my mindset because I am in Europe and on vacation and that it isn't real life, which is partly true. BUT my point is that I know jobs exist in which I could make this lifestyle my job. After all, it isn't a job if you love what you do. I am at this glorious age where the world is at my fingertips and I am lucky enough not to be tied down to anything. I feel like I owe it to myself to never be unhappy. Why in the world would I settle when I don't have to? I have been really stressed lately about this job thing and I know that he is trying to help me seek the clarity that I am looking so earnestly for. I just finished a book yesterday and the author said, "Sometimes we look so hard for clarity that we completely miss out on the fact that a great deal of the wildness and beauty of life is in the unknown." I think that this is especially true for me right now. I need a job I know and I have faith that something will work out. Maybe not, but then hopefully I will learn something along the way.
Another thing the author talked about in the book was something called a waiting season. I am without a doubt in this season. Somewhere between College and Life- a lady in waiting of sorts. I am waiting for an email, waiting for an interview, waiting for something to come through, something to go home to. Her point was that sometimes the waiting isn't about what will come from it, but about what you learn while you are in this season. A slight reassurance for me to hear this especially when I wake up every morning and check and recheck my email and voicemail hoping that there will be something good waiting for me at home. It is insane how when we need something it comes to us in the most bizarre ways. In all honesty, I wasn't loving the book. I would have stopped reading it if that was something I was able to do, but instead I powered through it and found some guidance. Its crazy to me how relevant it all is. It may not all click as quickly as this example did for me, but everything really does happen for a reason.
If I do continue writing, it would be the unknown help that I was (hopefully) able to offer my readers that would be the most meaningful. Like I am sure this woman knows what she says has a lot of merit, but could she have ever thought that it would be reaching a young woman in Budapest just when she needed it? That is the entire premise of the book I am working on anyway. Helping people just like me who don't have their shit together. As soon as I figure out that it will be okay, I want to shout it out to them and share what was good and what was bad during that waiting season.
I forgot to tell you guys that the night before last we heard a Kings of Leon concert from Jason and Donna's rooftop terrace. Taste of home.
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