Second Teaching Day and Other Adventures

Today I went for the second English for Special Purpose class. I had in my head that the class started at 9:15. I went to the classroom then and found a class in session and the room reserved for four classes on Tuesday. I didn't know what to do, so wandered back to my office. I checked my calendar and discovered my commitment begins at 9:45. A bit before that the teacher, Katalin, found me. She explained the class is named Nursing and Patient Care because it involves nursing students, but also other kinds of health professionals. As I met the students I learned that one plans to be a nurse, one perhaps a dietician, 2 or maybe 3 want to be public health kontrollers, what we might call in the state as environmental health inspectors.

This class had been studying medical and nursing ethics. The teacher explained she had found material on the web and wanted to know if I agreed with the ethical principles. She wanted my input, because I am a nurse, and she is "simply a teacher of English." We talked about some examples of the principles she had found. Our future conversation was all over. She excused me after about an hour and spent time with the student asking them to generate a list of topics to discuss/present in future classes. These topics range from refugees in the United States to triage nursing to breastfeeding. I can stay busy with them. They are wonderful students; I'm going to enjoy this.

After the class I went to the post office to mail postcards. Hungary (and Poland) have such a sane and genteel way to do this. One takes a number and waits in a bit of comfort for a turn.

Here is a view of the exterior post office. It is really a beautiful building, both outside and in. The roof has the beautiful Zsolany tiles, made here in Pecs. Everywhere I look I see some of this beauty. This tile became very prominent in the late 19th century. I learned during the architecture lecture in orientation, that architects liked it because it is beautiful, it withstands the weather, it doesn't need to be painted ever, and it won't fall off.

I took a street I'd never been on before to get over to the Arkade. On the way I found a salon that seemed to fit me and made an appointment for manicure on Friday.

By this time it was well past 13:00 and I was hungry. At the Arkade I tried to new place and found this restaurant had black currant ice cream. I haven't found black currant juice, so I was very glad to find this. I'll be back many times before leaving Pecs.

At 4:15 or so I headed out to find the opening reception for the American Presidents exhibit being sponsored by American Corners Pecs and the U.S. Embassy. I had been given the direction that it was in the building across the square from McDonalds. I walked up and down that street and could no sign of such an exhibit. I'm beginning to learn that one Hungarian difference is the lack of signage. I couldn't find any street numbers to tell what building this exhibit might be in. I had begun to think I'd misunderstood and started to walk to the other side of the square to look for the exhibit. I heard somebody call, "Lori, are you looking for the exhibit?" It was one of the staff from American Corners. She led me around the corner and up a flight of stairs.

Here is Zsusa from American Corners opening the exhibit. The gentleman on the right is a Hungarian official. I'm sorry that I didn't get his title. The gentleman on the left is Edward, from the U.S. Embassy. I had met him last week in Budapest. He gave his entire address in Hungarian!

After the formal speeches we moved to the next room for some refreshments. The wonderful sparkling Hungarian wine was on the table, but this time I elected apple juice; I was so hungry and thought wine might not be the best choice at that moment. A Hungarian pocasga (probably spelled worng), a small bread roll, helped the hungry. These rolls are a Hungarian staple food. They can be plain, baked with cheese, or baked with herbs or spices.

Edward introduced me to another Agnes, She is an English teacher and had urged some of her students to attend. We both went on to a showing of the movie, Frost/Nixon. It was shown in English with Hungarian subtitles. I'd never seen this movie, so it was a treat. Agnes and I walked down Kiraly to my corner. The school at which she teaches is not far from the flat, and that is where she had left her car. She asked for one of my business cards, so she could send me e-mail.

When I had begun thinking about coming to Hungary, I read in a book that Hungarians are the most friendly people in Europe. So far all of my experiences have confirmed that.

Comments and questions are appreciated. And thanks for not pointing out the numerous typos that seem to have emerged. I do review these postings at least twice, but get amazed when I go back a day or so later and see yet more mistakes!