Hungary and the train trip

I arrived in Hungary and met up with friends from Grace and YWAM. Budapest is a remarkable city, very big and very busy. Rosie and I met up on Sunday and she helped me settle in and she showed me some of the city. I was fortunate to attend a worship service on Monday morning and Rosie took me sight seeing in the afternoon. We even shared some Hugarian goulash.On Tuesday, we had a very busy day. We went to the base and did some cleaning for the crew coming in. I did some errands (tickets and money) in preparation for my train journey. Cameron invited me to an intercessory prayer meeting with some local ladies and some others from ywam. The meeting was interesting because I learned some about Hungarian culture and some of the things going on in the city. Cameron has been led to look into what can be done about the problem of human trafficking and prostitution in Budapest. Young girls and women are being abducted or sold into prostitution not only in Budapest but other cities as well. The base here is amazing. I commend Steve and all those here with him who are working so hard with him to do the outreach and other ministries they have here.

I left Budapest early Wednesday morning because I knew I had a long train ahead. I would have loved to have stayed but time was not on my side. I felt like I just breezed in and out. The train trip was an adventure. I was blessed the whole way to be able to make my connections and be where I need to be when I need to be there. I realized very quickly along the way that one missed train can cost you a day or more. My first leg was 12 hours from Hungary to Frankfurt. I spent the night in Frankfurt because I could not catch the train to Paris until the next morning. The schedule I had read 6:18. I arrived at 5:58 to find the train leaves at 6! I made the connection, thank goodness. Minutes could really have made a difference here, especially because this was a long connection (ICE) to Paris. When I arrived in Paris, I was really thankful I had not been able to go the night before. Paris was crazy. I arrived at one station and had to take the Paris subway to another station to leave from there to Irun. Again, I was blessed that I had slept, was refreshed and able to tackle this part of the journey. Some people were helpful, but some were not. Once I was situated, I walked from the station up a few block and found a little restuarant to have a nice hot lunch. The meal was excellent. I had packed some snacks, but Iwas in need of a hot meal.

After lunch I went back to the station, and boarded the train to Irun. There were two trains and one was headed for another destination. I found myself on the wrong train and had to find my way down the tracks to the train I was supposed to be on. This was another long leg. I called Maria to tell here I was leaving Paris and would arrive in Irun at 11. Well, we arrived at 10 and I went to the counter to check about the overnight to Salamanca. From Irun to Salamanca is five hours. The man tells me I have one minute that it is outside now. I run from the counter after I had made the transaction and find my place on this overnight.

The overnight was the least comfortable of all the trains. I was in the car with a family from Portugal. Because they don't announce the stop and I could not see the signs from inside, I had no clue as to where I was. I was also in the habit of not paying attention. I did not have to because the legs where long and the stop was the stop I needed. So, I missed the Salamanca stop at 4 or so in the morning. Some students who were on their way to Portugal helped me. They knew that at the Cuidad Rodrigo stop I could catch a bus back to Salamanca. So, I hopped off in Cuidad Rodrigo and caught a bus and was in Salamanca by 7:30 in the morning.

Maria picked me up and took me to the city. I walked around some while she had meetings. She had a student come home with us for lunch. I had a shower and lunch. There was a whole huge crew here. Some added extra guest as well as the family. Benito is visiting again Sunday. I will go to Madrid Monday night so I will be ready to leave Tuesday morning.

We Meet

I met Ana today! The people from World Vision came and picked me up and drove me to her village called Elbasan. The road to the village is very winding and steep. If you have ever experienced the Smokies or the Rockies you will know what I mean. The drivers here are crazy. Because of communism, most Albanians have only been driving for about 10 years and it seems very easy to receive a license. Our driver was very nice and did very well. I know some of you out there would be having a fit.... yeah, sister, I am talking about you. Ana and her mom are very nice people. Dad is an emmigrant to Greece due to the fact that he has work as a plumber. He does not get home much. We met at the office and chatted and then had lunch at this restaurant there in town. The food was excellent! They brought me back here and I am settling in for the evening. I am going to read my book and just chill for a while.

I am off to Hungary tomorrow, so we'll see what new adventures that holds.

I have arrived..... assaulted by the smells!

Well, I made it to Tirana. The Rome airport was interesting. Saw a lot of unusual things there. You would think they would not make you ride buses to the planes waiting on the tarmac. I arrive in Tirana to collect my luggage but my luggage is nowhere to be found. I have been without clothes and shower for two and a half days now. ewwwww...... Luckily, I found a market bazaar and was able to purchase a shirt, skirt and some new undies (hahaha). At least I will have one change of clothes. It has still not arrived and we have been calling. The disappointing thing is that Ana's gift and her parent's gift were in the suitcase.

I guess the hardest thing to overcome is when the olfactory senses are assaulted. Mine have been big time. The smells are hard to difficult to bear. And they are not the most pleasant to be constantly inhaling.

Another thing that comes to mind is personal space. You don't have it here! There are no such things as lines and people just come in front of you without regard to manners or social etiquette as we are used to in the States.

For those of you who want a real laugh and can appreciate this, it seems I can't seem to stay out of trouble. I should have known being in a former communist country that rules here are a little different. I am within a couple of blocks from the embassy (several actually). I went in ours under armed guard. They confiscated all electronic devices until I came out. When I came out, I was walking up and down the street taking pictures like nobody's business. Obviously a tourist thing, right? Well, I wanted one of the embassy just for the sake of it. I am shooting away with the camera, and the next thing I know the guard is coming after me from across the street saying he's called his superior. Turns out I was not permitted to take pictures of the outside of the embassy. Who knew? They watched me delete the picture and sent me on my way. Lesson learned: Never take the freedoms in the good ole' US of A for granted!

Update: The luggage is to arrive within the hour. (We'll see) and World Vision did not show up today. I think he misunderstood the message about them coming today. The appointment is for tomorrow. I am still wondering why I'm being picked up until between two and three though. Kinda late, wouldn't you think?

Getting Ready

Well, it hit me Sunday that I had a week left before I leave. For those of you who don't know, I am traveling to Albania, Hungary and from there taking the train to Spain. I have been preparing for this trip for a while now, but there is still much to do at the last minute. I had a two day inservice Tuesday and Wednesday. I had breakfast with Jane, a hair appointment with Rachel and Jene is helping now put this blog together today. I also took the cat to the vet and changed my money. I hope to keep all posted about my adventures in Albania, Hungary, Austria and on through until I meet Maria in Spain.

I am excited but nervous. I am thrilled about meeting Ana. I have been sponsoring her through World Vision for two years now. The cool thing is I will be over there just about the time she turns 10. I wish I could have seen the look on her face when she found out I am coming. Our letters crossed about the same time.

From here I go to Rome and from Rome to Tirana, Albania. I will spend 3 days there and visit her village on the 11th. The hostel where I will be staying is adorable and has excellent reviews. I am more excited about the hostel every time I see it. Check it out at Tirana Hostel. More to come when I arrive.