Now I am at the computer lab at CEU(Central European University). Although everyone(professors, PhD students and alumni) confesses it is super busy and challenging to study here, I feel more relaxed so far for this orientation period. So I assume beginning from Monday, the students get started studying. During last two weeks I have seen enough things to brief you about Budapest, Hungary, my university and myself.
Budapest:
The center of Budapest, downtown is a very charming area. All the European style castles, Churches, Museums, wonderful parks and beautiful Danube flows right through this center, splitting Budapest into two sides; Buda and Pest. My school and my apartment are on the Pest side where most lively and busy Hungary locates.
Fist week I stayed at a hotel in 13th district which is a quite far, 50 minutes of commune from the downtown. Blocs of apartments similar to Ulaanbaatar with tidy streets are common scene in that area. Public transportation is good here; easy access via both bus and metro.
Generally you won't get lost in this city because simple three metro lines and very nice bus systems take to everywhere you want to go to. People on street look more likely reserved, however they will happily direct you with basic commands of English if you kindly ask them to do so. Everything is Hungarian which is indeed hard to pronounce and as consist of long words as Mongolian words. It sounds like mild mixture tunes of Mongolian and some other European languages.
Interestingly the MacDonalds, Burgerkings, Subways and other Americanized markets are very common things around. Turkish kebab and Hungarian traditional meals are served in restaurants as well. Amazingly on street , good quality of Hungarian wines can be found in cheap prices.
Since they try to enter Euro, European Monetary Unit, Hungarian goods seem to be a little expensive than that of USA.
Finally I found an apartment in downtown, very close to my school and all the entertainment. I share big rooms with my roommate Jeff.
Balaton Lake:
Another site which made me admiring impression of Hungary was Lake Balaton. Altogether with my new class mates, all of us had two days of trip to this lake. We had great time at the hotel, tasting Hungarian wines, drinking beers, playing bowling, swimming and socializing around.
The lake is very pleasing and big enough. Surrounded by inhabitants and small villages, it reveals beauty of nature and nicely structured villages. Some areas of it remind me of Khuvsgul Lake, my home town and other parts with private houses look like the coast side of North Shore, Hawaii. Groups of swam in the lake really add romance to the lake. We hiked around the lake on second day.
Including lake and area around it is the oldest national park of Hungary. However, I was surprised by its full of houses and inhabitants which is totally different than Mongolian National Parks where you see next to nothing humans.
On the way to and back from the lake area the typical Hungarian life presents. Geographically and apparently Hungarian villages and counties are familiar to that of Pennsylvania; wide area of cultivation, trees, backyard houses etc.
Tuesday, May 19
New Year 2006 and Paris
After having my left foot injured by ice skating for a week, eating and sleeping as much as I wanted, finally I celebrated my New Year excitingly. Together with some my buddies here, I climbed up to a small hill on the bank of Danube, hoping to see the fire works across Danube, Budapest. It was so foggy that I could not see the fireworks, but I enjoyed our celebrating with Champaign and fun times.
Then, I headed to Paris for rest of my winter break with my buddy, Mugi. We took Eurolines, a bus-network across Europe, from Budapest, Hungary to Paris, France. The bus passed through Hungary, Austria, Germany and France.
On the way, I noticed quite similarity of living and culture in these countries, but some difference as minor as Germany is a bit more industrialized, Austria is very clean and neat, and French is bit artistic.
Paris is huge city with most diverse community as if NY or LA. So beautiful buildings, parks, museums and even streets took my attention for awe. I was amazed at the city at all the time. Paris has a very extensive metro system which can take me all around the city with a single ticket which i purchased for five days. Except on occasion when I was almost robbed at metro. One guy suddenly grabbed my leg while other digging my pockets for a wallet. Glad I kept my wallet in my chest, that was a bad start anyway.
My first destination was to Sacre Coeur, old Christian church with nice view of whole Paris. I found wonderful parks and nice streets around that building. Then, I headed to La Defense, which is a small district with sky high buildings like New York. It looked great with lights on at dark. Beautiful parks lured me of amazing water fountains and surrounding design.
Arc de Triophe Etoile is located in the middle of roads, and is another nice spot to admire Paris. This street connects with Avenue Charles De Gaulle, a long shopping street. I saw the Arthur at cinema, which was quite small so I barely managed to maneuver.
From Palaise de Chaillot, the great Eiffel stands out with sparkling lights and awesome beauty. Going up to the tower was so cool that I can see the whole city. I felt as if I was flying over the city. That was pretty good time.
What a huge! The Musee Du Louvre contains amazing collections. It was too much for me to wander in a day over the Louvre. Besides too much tourists, it really left me impression of magnificent history and arts of Europe and some others parts of world. The Notre Dame, Pont De La Concorde, Invalides, Pantheon and Jardin du Luxemburg were all amazing too.
From sight seeing and museums, I loved Vesailles. The castle contains amazing collection and history of Royal French’s leaders and families. It was so impressive to see the decorations, designs and all the wealth they had. The park of Versailles is beautiful and huge. I'd love to enjoy the greatness of Versailles during warm times of year while flowers are colorful and trees are green. Even this time of year, it was marvelous to behold.
Besides admiring all these great things, I managed to enjoy playing basketball in front of Eiffel tower, ice skating at ice ring and exploring other parts of city.
During my visits, I also met my french friend, Sabine whom I met when she visited Mongolia with her friends three years ago. Having typical French dinner, breakfast was good experience to taste Paris indeed.
So, I think it is better you explore and feel Paris yourself than hearing my attempt to explain. Paris is amazing, beautiful, diverse and a little messy (especially streets). Yes, I loved it.
Then, I headed to Paris for rest of my winter break with my buddy, Mugi. We took Eurolines, a bus-network across Europe, from Budapest, Hungary to Paris, France. The bus passed through Hungary, Austria, Germany and France.
On the way, I noticed quite similarity of living and culture in these countries, but some difference as minor as Germany is a bit more industrialized, Austria is very clean and neat, and French is bit artistic.
Paris is huge city with most diverse community as if NY or LA. So beautiful buildings, parks, museums and even streets took my attention for awe. I was amazed at the city at all the time. Paris has a very extensive metro system which can take me all around the city with a single ticket which i purchased for five days. Except on occasion when I was almost robbed at metro. One guy suddenly grabbed my leg while other digging my pockets for a wallet. Glad I kept my wallet in my chest, that was a bad start anyway.
My first destination was to Sacre Coeur, old Christian church with nice view of whole Paris. I found wonderful parks and nice streets around that building. Then, I headed to La Defense, which is a small district with sky high buildings like New York. It looked great with lights on at dark. Beautiful parks lured me of amazing water fountains and surrounding design.
Arc de Triophe Etoile is located in the middle of roads, and is another nice spot to admire Paris. This street connects with Avenue Charles De Gaulle, a long shopping street. I saw the Arthur at cinema, which was quite small so I barely managed to maneuver.
From Palaise de Chaillot, the great Eiffel stands out with sparkling lights and awesome beauty. Going up to the tower was so cool that I can see the whole city. I felt as if I was flying over the city. That was pretty good time.
What a huge! The Musee Du Louvre contains amazing collections. It was too much for me to wander in a day over the Louvre. Besides too much tourists, it really left me impression of magnificent history and arts of Europe and some others parts of world. The Notre Dame, Pont De La Concorde, Invalides, Pantheon and Jardin du Luxemburg were all amazing too.
From sight seeing and museums, I loved Vesailles. The castle contains amazing collection and history of Royal French’s leaders and families. It was so impressive to see the decorations, designs and all the wealth they had. The park of Versailles is beautiful and huge. I'd love to enjoy the greatness of Versailles during warm times of year while flowers are colorful and trees are green. Even this time of year, it was marvelous to behold.
Besides admiring all these great things, I managed to enjoy playing basketball in front of Eiffel tower, ice skating at ice ring and exploring other parts of city.
During my visits, I also met my french friend, Sabine whom I met when she visited Mongolia with her friends three years ago. Having typical French dinner, breakfast was good experience to taste Paris indeed.
So, I think it is better you explore and feel Paris yourself than hearing my attempt to explain. Paris is amazing, beautiful, diverse and a little messy (especially streets). Yes, I loved it.
Impression, Experience and Times: North Shore, Hawai’I 2006
Notes from my emails with minor corrections for typos
May 2006
I came in Hawaii. It is a very beautiful place. The ocean, mountain and trees are all marvelous. Grown up in the middle of steppe and hills, experiencing ocean is like discovering something new. It is huge, beautiful, powerful and scary. At any point of Hawaiin beach you will see awesome meeting of ocean and sky, all blue.
When you look down from top of things, even small rock, the ocean brags its beauty of colors, animals, reefs and stone it possesses. When i see them in the water, they are incredible; wow fish in ocean is the most interesting scene ever! However, I always feel like restrained in dicovering the depth of ocean, instead I see deep, unlimited, mysterious dark, assuming always something could be hided in that dark. Whever I go snorkling a little deeper where i see deep dark area, I rush to beach where sun help you see different colors, and shines on you and warms up a bit.
The water is Hawaiin ocean is very warm like the one in Ulanbatar central pool. But , it is too salty and a little dirty with sea animal waste. It is not that dirty but you will see small particles through snorkling masks. It is so wierd feeling after you dry up the salty water whiout wash off. Gross! :(. My first memories of ocean, a lots of scar from reef cut, forehead cut, leg cuts are relieving now. i hope you won't get hurt too much next time.
…………
Today was awesome! We had this life guard training got started. I have been extremely busy last two days attending the training, and meantime I am still challenged to adopt this hot and humid condition. Indeed it all so well and COOL.
Of course the resque skills are challenging, but I am sure I can learn it, and the theory session is boring. It goes like "approaching victim consists 5 step tactics etc" you know.
……………………….
June 2006
Saturday was great. I went to Maona mountain hiking with some Hong Kong and Japan girls. It was long hike, lasted for around 6 hours, but was really nice. Incredibly, the smell and beauty of bamboo tree, water fall, and everything just GREAT. After that we wend and had a Vietnamese dinner. I took a beef noodle, it was such great because I missed it so for long.
Last Monday, I had my day off. Me and three other asian girls, Haunani (Hawaiin and Singapore), Tia (Taiwanese), Chemei (Japanese) went out to the Kailua beach. That was first beach whithout any reef, just sand in Hawaii for me, and you can see small island just in a mile and view is spectecular. Then, we headed to Pali Highway where, on the top, you can see whole city, ocean, mountain, high cliffs. Wow, the wind was damn strong up there.
Then, we had a dinner at Haunani’s grand parents. They are a nice couple with good sense of humor and hospitality . I guess they are Japenese. But, I was thinking what and how the life will be when I get older, you know. I want to be happy old man someday, not someone with full of stress.
…………………
Oh, last night I went to a Salsa dance club. I figured that Latin American dancing requires so much rythimns to remember. I just messed up, but I had a lot of fun.
As my main duty, I went up for high ropes for three hours with a gruop. We had fun anyways. I am in conference group this week. That means i work with groups come here for conference, leading high ropes and games for them. I am glad that I am not working with kids this week. They drive me crazy. I sometimes am too challenged by kids and sometimes love being around them.
So far, I am kinda laid back and taking my times off to relaxing. Yes, I still work ,however it is different now. They scheduled me for conference. That means I only work with certain amount of time for instructing activities with conference groups. The group can be families, high school kids, some kinda group or kids. Fortunatelly it is way easier than residence camp where i struggle with kids for 24/7. Now I maily spend my time on instructing archery, climbing wall and high ropes.
So, observing this job, anyone will find very interesting aspects of Hawaii. These days we have two big groups; Espirito Pamiliya Reunion and Wailua High School Cross Country Athlete.
The family reunion is great example of Hawaiin family. All the relatives meet each other here. Diversity excels in this inter-race marriage. They are a family even though they look entirely different: Chinese, Philipio, South American, Black, Hawaiin native look, and of course Caucasian. Oh, mix raced kids look so cute. You know the concept of quite different in this country as you look from Mongolian side, they are not that much connected. The way they behave during activities remind me of just people gathered in a place, no blood related love nor affection. I guess that is what diverse individuals go along with together as united.
…………………………
August 2006
Unfortunately the camp went so wrong last week. I witnessed a real drowning kids at the pool, a counselor broke a arm with stakeboarding, pandemic stomach upset virus affeted on 15 kids and 5 counselors so result end up all two nurses quiting their job. I am pretty proud of myself as staying out all night struggling with vomits all over my cabin.
Last three weeks we had international; Japanese and Korean kids , especially this week a full of internationals. Well, I can see some difference between American kids and Japanese and Korean kids and Amerian Asian kids, he he. Also I do understand something common in kids from all round the world. Working with Asian kids more easy, I mean they do not really hurt others , they are respectful and quet, but hard to communicate in elementary learners.
I wish I had know Japanese or Korean language, he he.
…………………………
Since we finished summer session, the camp goes slower and still hosts some groups. After having the high school athlete grils, I am inspired to run for miles. Then, I started running. I run about 20 minutes other day. I felt so difficult at first, it is like burning out everything. Today, i run 20 min again afrte three hours of high ropes. Wow, such a great time. It made me feel so great. I just want to keep running.
…………………..
Since we are the only two summer staff left in a cabin, winter staff occupied their nice private rooms here, me and Chris spent whole morning cleaning our dirts. Oh mess why guys including me live like pig, ohh naughty!
After lunch, all of us went bowling. We had so much fun. We tried different throwing styles like backward, blindfolded, underlegs and legs attached. I got highest score in my group 109, not that high but top enough amoung these girls.
When I was having dinner, I was obssed with big tought og food here. all types of things which I can not afford in Mongolia. People at camp waste food too much as it were in the "American" college dininig halls. All right, worrying does not help me solve that problem, right.
………………………….
Like last two weeks as usual, me, Chris, Katie and Cheimi sat for an hour to watch sunset. Too gorgous to watch sunset on the beach front this camp at north shore. We look to east according to our direction and observe the whole color changes. at the line where sky and ocean meet, the sun goes down slowly changimg the surrounding color to organge, pinkish and purple clouds, and breath-taking assemblage of color on the water . Wow. This makes me tought of staying here forever!
It seems problem is same everywhere. Just a fresh graduate Chris trying to get a job here in Hawaii but not easy as it should be. He changes his mind a lot as does Katie who dropped college in Ohio and wants to remain here but lacks of money and accomodation. It seems americans try build their own lives whithout any support of parents. That is good to hear because I do struggle same thing.
Cheimi told me other day about her plan to stay in America for ever. She does not like Japan. I really like her. We will remain as good friends, I guess.
In spite of a few hospital visits, bed bugs, a stomach virus, lice and some centipede stings we all made it through the summer fun and learning. I love you Camp Erdman, North Shore, Oahu island, Hawai’I –USA.
May 2006
I came in Hawaii. It is a very beautiful place. The ocean, mountain and trees are all marvelous. Grown up in the middle of steppe and hills, experiencing ocean is like discovering something new. It is huge, beautiful, powerful and scary. At any point of Hawaiin beach you will see awesome meeting of ocean and sky, all blue.
When you look down from top of things, even small rock, the ocean brags its beauty of colors, animals, reefs and stone it possesses. When i see them in the water, they are incredible; wow fish in ocean is the most interesting scene ever! However, I always feel like restrained in dicovering the depth of ocean, instead I see deep, unlimited, mysterious dark, assuming always something could be hided in that dark. Whever I go snorkling a little deeper where i see deep dark area, I rush to beach where sun help you see different colors, and shines on you and warms up a bit.
The water is Hawaiin ocean is very warm like the one in Ulanbatar central pool. But , it is too salty and a little dirty with sea animal waste. It is not that dirty but you will see small particles through snorkling masks. It is so wierd feeling after you dry up the salty water whiout wash off. Gross! :(. My first memories of ocean, a lots of scar from reef cut, forehead cut, leg cuts are relieving now. i hope you won't get hurt too much next time.
…………
Today was awesome! We had this life guard training got started. I have been extremely busy last two days attending the training, and meantime I am still challenged to adopt this hot and humid condition. Indeed it all so well and COOL.
Of course the resque skills are challenging, but I am sure I can learn it, and the theory session is boring. It goes like "approaching victim consists 5 step tactics etc" you know.
……………………….
June 2006
Saturday was great. I went to Maona mountain hiking with some Hong Kong and Japan girls. It was long hike, lasted for around 6 hours, but was really nice. Incredibly, the smell and beauty of bamboo tree, water fall, and everything just GREAT. After that we wend and had a Vietnamese dinner. I took a beef noodle, it was such great because I missed it so for long.
Last Monday, I had my day off. Me and three other asian girls, Haunani (Hawaiin and Singapore), Tia (Taiwanese), Chemei (Japanese) went out to the Kailua beach. That was first beach whithout any reef, just sand in Hawaii for me, and you can see small island just in a mile and view is spectecular. Then, we headed to Pali Highway where, on the top, you can see whole city, ocean, mountain, high cliffs. Wow, the wind was damn strong up there.
Then, we had a dinner at Haunani’s grand parents. They are a nice couple with good sense of humor and hospitality . I guess they are Japenese. But, I was thinking what and how the life will be when I get older, you know. I want to be happy old man someday, not someone with full of stress.
…………………
Oh, last night I went to a Salsa dance club. I figured that Latin American dancing requires so much rythimns to remember. I just messed up, but I had a lot of fun.
As my main duty, I went up for high ropes for three hours with a gruop. We had fun anyways. I am in conference group this week. That means i work with groups come here for conference, leading high ropes and games for them. I am glad that I am not working with kids this week. They drive me crazy. I sometimes am too challenged by kids and sometimes love being around them.
So far, I am kinda laid back and taking my times off to relaxing. Yes, I still work ,however it is different now. They scheduled me for conference. That means I only work with certain amount of time for instructing activities with conference groups. The group can be families, high school kids, some kinda group or kids. Fortunatelly it is way easier than residence camp where i struggle with kids for 24/7. Now I maily spend my time on instructing archery, climbing wall and high ropes.
So, observing this job, anyone will find very interesting aspects of Hawaii. These days we have two big groups; Espirito Pamiliya Reunion and Wailua High School Cross Country Athlete.
The family reunion is great example of Hawaiin family. All the relatives meet each other here. Diversity excels in this inter-race marriage. They are a family even though they look entirely different: Chinese, Philipio, South American, Black, Hawaiin native look, and of course Caucasian. Oh, mix raced kids look so cute. You know the concept of quite different in this country as you look from Mongolian side, they are not that much connected. The way they behave during activities remind me of just people gathered in a place, no blood related love nor affection. I guess that is what diverse individuals go along with together as united.
…………………………
August 2006
Unfortunately the camp went so wrong last week. I witnessed a real drowning kids at the pool, a counselor broke a arm with stakeboarding, pandemic stomach upset virus affeted on 15 kids and 5 counselors so result end up all two nurses quiting their job. I am pretty proud of myself as staying out all night struggling with vomits all over my cabin.
Last three weeks we had international; Japanese and Korean kids , especially this week a full of internationals. Well, I can see some difference between American kids and Japanese and Korean kids and Amerian Asian kids, he he. Also I do understand something common in kids from all round the world. Working with Asian kids more easy, I mean they do not really hurt others , they are respectful and quet, but hard to communicate in elementary learners.
I wish I had know Japanese or Korean language, he he.
…………………………
Since we finished summer session, the camp goes slower and still hosts some groups. After having the high school athlete grils, I am inspired to run for miles. Then, I started running. I run about 20 minutes other day. I felt so difficult at first, it is like burning out everything. Today, i run 20 min again afrte three hours of high ropes. Wow, such a great time. It made me feel so great. I just want to keep running.
…………………..
Since we are the only two summer staff left in a cabin, winter staff occupied their nice private rooms here, me and Chris spent whole morning cleaning our dirts. Oh mess why guys including me live like pig, ohh naughty!
After lunch, all of us went bowling. We had so much fun. We tried different throwing styles like backward, blindfolded, underlegs and legs attached. I got highest score in my group 109, not that high but top enough amoung these girls.
When I was having dinner, I was obssed with big tought og food here. all types of things which I can not afford in Mongolia. People at camp waste food too much as it were in the "American" college dininig halls. All right, worrying does not help me solve that problem, right.
………………………….
Like last two weeks as usual, me, Chris, Katie and Cheimi sat for an hour to watch sunset. Too gorgous to watch sunset on the beach front this camp at north shore. We look to east according to our direction and observe the whole color changes. at the line where sky and ocean meet, the sun goes down slowly changimg the surrounding color to organge, pinkish and purple clouds, and breath-taking assemblage of color on the water . Wow. This makes me tought of staying here forever!
It seems problem is same everywhere. Just a fresh graduate Chris trying to get a job here in Hawaii but not easy as it should be. He changes his mind a lot as does Katie who dropped college in Ohio and wants to remain here but lacks of money and accomodation. It seems americans try build their own lives whithout any support of parents. That is good to hear because I do struggle same thing.
Cheimi told me other day about her plan to stay in America for ever. She does not like Japan. I really like her. We will remain as good friends, I guess.
In spite of a few hospital visits, bed bugs, a stomach virus, lice and some centipede stings we all made it through the summer fun and learning. I love you Camp Erdman, North Shore, Oahu island, Hawai’I –USA.
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