Warm Hearts and Cold Rain

At  the Fulbright orientation the Embassy Cultural Affairs staff asked me to attend the International Night sponsored by the Faculty of Medicine. I was directed to make arrangements through American Corner. On Thursday Reka and I decided we'd meet at my flat at 16:15 on Saturday afternoon and go together via bus. Yesterday morning on Facebook I got a message that she was ill. We exchanged a couple of phone calls -- I'm almost getting used to my Europe phone and indeed it's nice to have one.

By mid -afternoon the somewhat sunny morning had changed to rain. I wasn't excited about walking 10 minutes to ride a bus alone for the first time to a place I'd never been. However, part of being a Fulbrighter is to be an informal ambassador, so I gritted my teeth and went. I got there via bus without any difficulty. By now I know the drill. At an event in Hungary, one always checks the coat, and this is done graciously without any sign of a tip jar!

I was glad I showed up, for the chair of the event knew Dr. Wedeking was to be there. Another person said, "Ah you are representing the Embassy." Well, no, but explaining would have caused more trouble than help. We never represent the Embassay; our role is informal only.

The first item on the agenda was a presentation about Pecs being one of the European Capital of Cultures for 2010. It started with a surprise, for I've never before been at an event where the speaker begins: "Esteemed Ambassadors and Respected Professors." And how did I know? Because the whole presentation was done in English.  Sometimes I really have to stop and remind myself where I am.

The presentation was very interesting. I learned why the EU does this activity. But more importantly, I learned how hard Pecs had worked to create this year. The designation was made in 2005. First, consultations were done with previous Capitals of Culture to ask for their advice. Then, they began to practice creating events.

And what do we have this year? Nearly 400 events divided into 6 different areas. Under General Art Festivals, I'm looking forward to the Golden Routes Festival in late April. This one brings photos, music and dance based on the work of Celebi, one of the greatest Turkish historians. Under Music one that made me laugh, and at the same time be glad I live so close to the National Theatre Square so I can easily go, is the 1st International Hungarian French Horn Contest. This one, yum! includes also a gastronomic festival. I don't know what food one eats for a French Horn contest. Watch for blogs in late June!

Coming up in early April is the start of the Romany Musical Performances. This is an example in the Popular, Folk, and World Music area. Under Theatre, Dance, and Film I looking forward to Wednesdays in June when there will be outdoor dance houses where people can learn traditional dances of the various ethnic minorities living around Pecs. Visual and Applied Arts includes an Icon Exhibition from Bulgaria that I plan to see later today, before it disappears on February 28. Scientific Programs has a program that intrigues me: 3rd European Conference on Migration and Health. This is part of a meeting of the European Public Health Association held here in late May.

Literature will probably defeat me for I lack the ability to read in most of the target languages for the planned programs. However, there is plenty more in the catalog of events that I've not mentioned. I thought this would be a good time to come to Pecs and indeed that is true.

Next the International Night was opened with the appropriate speeches. I learned that the Faculty of Medicine began its English langugage Medical School 36 years ago. From that emerged a student body representing something like 54 different countries this year.

Here are some of my favorite phots from International Night.

I spoke with a USA student who was busy making milk shakes. I talked with a Canadian student who was from Winnepeg. The student chair of the event, who was from Norway, said "This is an evening we omit our political and religious differences." Thus, I saw students from India and Pakistan next to each other, as well as students from Greece and Cyprus next to each other. There were plenty of Warm Hearts.

And speaking of Cyprus, oh the food. This photo doesn't do it justice. I had difficulty dealing with all the artificial light in the venue. But the fruits soaked in honey and cinnamon certainly looked good to me.

Now for the Cold Rain. When I left the building there was light rain along with some snow flakes mixed in. I got back onto the #2 after a wait of about 10 minutes. I counted back 5 stops just as I had counted 5 stops to get there. The weather made the windows all steamy and I couldn't see anything outdoors. When I got off, I most definitely was not at the Arkade. In the distance ahead I could see a McDonald's and I knew that was one at the edge of the city, not the direction to walk. So I backtracked. This was about 7PM and of course everthing was closed. After walking about 4 blocks I recognized the Sopiane Hotel, so I knew basically where I was. In another block I found the Arkade and then proceeded toward my flat, definitely stopping at McDonald's to have bite to eat and warm up before making the final trek home.

I got out the bus schedule to see what might have happened. Ah, one stop is omitted on the eastward route. That's how I ended up in the wrong place.