Report from Tatabanya, Hungary Nativity's Delgation is visiting Arpad Gymnasium

Nativity's Delegation ready for departure.

Thursday
October 2, 2008

We wanted to give you one last update from Hungary before we leave. Thursday we traveled by train to the Fort of Komárom. This was very amazing. It was huge and the kids really found it interesting. We learned that it was the 5th most targeted Fort for the Americans to find because of the large supply of gunpowder and weapons that was stored there. The kids then walked over the bridge and were actually standing in Slovakia. After that we did a little shopping and then went swimming at an indoor pool. After catching the train to come back to Tatabánya the children returned to their host families for their last full night.

This morning we are hiking to Turul (the bird) where we went the first day to make a campfire and cook goulash. If it rains we will cook in the caves. We have a very early morning where we will leave for the airport at 3:30 am. Although it may be an emotional good-bye with the Hungarians, we are also excited about coming home to our American families. We have really learned a lot and enjoyed ourselves. Everyone is excited about sharing our many pictures with all of you!

Tuesday
September 30, 2008

Haliho!
We have arrived back from our day trip to Esztergom. Here we were able to see some very historical places as well as play and have some fun. We first visited the castle of Visegrad. Here we saw very beautiful views of Hungary and the Danube River. We then had some fun at a park where all of our children went bobsledding. The kids really had a blast. We also gave them some play time at a nearby park where they ran around and most made an obstacle course on their own and competed against one another.

The Basilica in Esztergom	From the top of the Basilca	The Danube River and Slovakia

At lunchtime we traveled to Esztergom where we saw the beautiful city and amazing Basilica. Here not only did we view the enormous inside, but we were allowed to walk up over 400 steps, most in a spiral staircase, to walk around the large dome on top of the Basilica. We could see a great deal of Hungary, along with Slovakia and the Danube River. The kids enjoyed this and took some great pictures. We were able to eat lunch and do some shopping in the city before heading back for the evening.

Tomorrow we will go back to school in the morning and then in the afternoon we will hike back to Turul (the giant bird from last Monday) to play some games and make Gulyas over the fire.

We will be home before you know it!

Monday
September 29, 2008

Hi! We wanted to give an update again to let you know of our activities and learning while here in Hungary. This weekend we went to Lake Balaton which is the largest lake in Hungary. While there we visited Tihany which is an Abbey. It was beautiful. We also walked around the village and saw different sights. There was a place where we could stand and yell and then could hear an echo. The kids thought this was very cool. We all tried it and then heard our echo.

We then traveled to Keszthely and saw the Festetics Castle or Palace. In there we saw a huge library that was very interesting. We also visited a museum with different carriages and buggies that horses pulled.. After that we went to the museum where there were animals on display that people had hunted and stuffed. There were several animals of all types. There was even a huge polar bear that was on display. It was amazing to think that these were all hunted and of course the girls didn't like this very much. Upstairs in the museum was a huge model train display. They really enjoyed this part of the museum.

After a long day of sight seeing we went o to our cabin for the evening. We had dinner and then played games. They had organized mixed teams to participate in different events together. It was very similar to nativity's Spirit day. The students (and teachers) really enjoyed these activities. After an even longer night at the cabin we went to a water park in Hévíz on Sunday. This was an indoor and outdoor facility with heated pools and spas. It had a water slide that the kids loved. It also had a whirlpool that was different for our children, but they thought it was pretty cool. The students had a blast swimming and were very tired after. We went to lunch at a restaurant in Hévíz where we sat outside with a beautiful view of the countryside with villages and vineyards. The meal was delicious.. They played at the playground for a few minutes before continuing to Lake Balaton to walk around the pier. The kids were exhausted after the long bus ride home. We felt they needed to rest so they did not have to come to school this morning. They are coming to school for some programs in the afternoon.

Dave and I taught our lessons today and are beginning to get a lot of interesting questions regarding politics and about life in America. I have attached two photos of the whole group at the Festetics Castle and the fountain. Hopefully all is well in Cincinnati. We have a field trip tomorrow and will return to school on Wednesday for the students to continue with their lessons.
We will continue to update you with our activities. Everyone is relaxed and still having a wonderful time. It won't be long before we are back in Cincinnati!

Friday,
September 26, 2008

Parliament

Hello! There is not too much to report today. The weather is a little better here today. The sun is shining. We had school all morning and have "free time" with our host families this afternoon and evening. Some students are going back to Budapest and other villages around Tatábanya.

We will leave tomorrow morning for Lake Balaton and stay there all weekend. There are cabins there that we will stay in overnight. There are hot springs for the kids to swim in while there and plenty of sights to see.

Yesterday we went to a castle and saw some art displays. We made rock creatures. The students are very talented and artistic.

All the children are having a great time and really learning a lot, as we are too! This has been a wonderful experience so far!

We will probably not be able to write this weeked since we are at the Lake. We will give you another update when we get back Monday!

Thursday,
September 25, 2008

Hello! We have been very busy with plenty to see and do while we are here in Hungary. Today is Thursday morning and the children are in gym class. After they are finished completing gym, they will be going to English classes. Dave and I will be teaching all day with grades 10, 11, and 12. This proves to be a challenge as each of us are replacing the regular classroom teacher who is not present in the room. In the afternoon we are traveling to Tata to see the city and a famous castle.

Yesterday we went to Hungary's capital Budapest all day. We started our tour on the Buda side of the Danube and visited a fortress which also included their version of the statue of liberty which symbolizes their freedom from all the countries they have had wars with in the past. We then traveled across the famous "chain bridge" to the Pest side. While in Pest we visited the Parliament, Hero's Square, the President's House, the Basilica of St. Stephen, and walked around looking at several other buildings and landmarks from Hungary's History. The children also had the opportunity to jump on a giant tramoline in the city park. They also had time to walk around to shop and eat. (Burger King) : )

Be assured that we have taken many pictures of what we have seen and will place them on a CD for each student. Yesterday alone we took over 250 pictures between us.

We have noticed especially this morning that the kids seem to be VERY upbeat and more relaxed and secure in their surroundings. On the busride home from Budapest, the Hungarian students and Nativity students were as one, singing, playing, taking pictures and talking together.

We have attached a few group pictures from some of the places that we have visited in Budapest and "the bird" (Turul) in Tatábanya. We hope you enjoy!

Tuesday
September 23, 2008

Good afternoon to all! We are all doing well here at our second day at Arpad Gimnázium! We made the newspaper here yesterday when we were at the street festival supporting "a day with no cars". This event was celebrated all across Europe. Please go to www.kemma.hu to view pictures of our children. Click on Képgaléria and then click on Tatabánya. You will see the children engaged in various activity. They really had a blast. We were told that these pictures will only be on the web page for a couple of days. This is the address that they gave us so hopefully it works!

Yesterday morning the students went to English lessons here at the school. They also learned Hungarian numbers which will be used in a competition later in the week. In the afternoon we hiked about 6 miles up a mountain side to see some caves and The Turul monument, which towers over the town from Gerecse mountain. We also climbed the observation tower that overlooks the city and surrounding valleys. It was breathtaking! There was no struggle whatsoever with the amount of walking and climbing that we did. The students also learned to do archery. They all shot a bow and arrow at targets in the woods. They were instructed by trained archers. We then walked back to the school...Some ran with one of the teachers. After we were back at school they met their host families and went home for the evening.

This morning we are back in classes and working on various art projects. Dave and I will begin our instruction about the US and Nativity school in the classrooms today with the Hungarian students while our students are in English lessons.

After school today they will be returning to their host student's homes for an evening of "free activity" with their family.

Tomorrow is a big day as we will be spending the entire day in Budapest. We will give you an update on Thursday with pictures included. In the meantime if there are any concerns please feel free to email us.

Have a great day!

Monday
September 22, 2008

The first day went well. The flights were long but smooth. Every stop went without a hitch. We were delayed a little in Amsterdam which made us late arriving in Budapest. The kids were hesitant at first to go to their host families, but the Hungarians were so nice and welcoming it ended up ok. We went on a bus from Budapest to Tatabanya where the children met the parents and went on to their homes. The Hungarian host students were on the bus with us so they got to talk to them altogether for about an hour during the ride.
From the school the students went home with their families for dinner and relaxing evening.

There was no group get together. Their thought was that since we had a long trip and it was late that everyone would want to relax. Much to our surprise there was no welcoming ceremony at the school either. We haven't heard of one that is planned either.

They have a bulletin board dedicated to Nativity with pictures from when they were there for IPW in 2006. There was also a display from 2000. The mural is still there and Dave explained to me what part you painted between the lines.

Jon lost his wallet on this bus and called us that night. We were able to get ahold of the driver and he found it. It will be returned Wednesday when we go to Budapest.

Today is the first day at the school. The kids are attending English classes and everyone is excited for us to be here. There was a festival out in the street. The streets were closed for "a day with no cars". This is something they do all across Europe and there were very many activities for the kids to participate in along the lines of other transportation methods. i.e. stilts, bikes, foot pedals. This afternoon we are going hiking to the famous bird (some statue at the top of the hill) and the mines which have caves. It is a little cold and rainy, but we are hoping for more sun later this week.

Tomorrow we will be making bags and bracelets as well as going to more classes. Wednesday we are going to Budapest for the day. They have a lot planned for us while we are here and the kids are excited and enjoying themselves.

Dave reports that to his surprise the town (Tatabanya) is relatively unchanged from when you were here in 2000. It seems as if there is more capitalism but existing in the old communist style architecture. He has seen many of the same people and they say hello to you!

Dave and I will be teaching several classes separately with no other teacher in the room starting tomorrow. This should be interesting. We will let you know how it goes.

We will give you the next report tomorrow! Have a wonderful day!

Hollié Ho!