9th Grade Class Trip

Yesterday we went out to a park a little outside of Debrecen with Ben's 9th grade class. We thought we were meeting at the High School, but when no one showed up we rode our bikes to the train station hoping to meet up with his class there. When we arrived at the station we were greeted with waves and smiles. This little train station is used just to take people out to the park. We were happy we arrived before the train left so we didn't have to bike all the way out to the park. The park is located in the 'Great Forest' just outside of town. 

Train Station. 

The front of our train.

Inside the train.

Looking out the window.

Ben enjoying the train ride. 

Relaxing on the train.

The train dropped us off into a big open field. This is definitely not your typical train stop. As we walked through the forest to get to the park I told Ben that it felt like we were going to a renaissance fair. Ben said that every thing in Hungary has a sort of festival feeling to it.

Departing the train.

 When we arrived at the park there is a huge pavilion area ready for people and picnicking. In no time at all people were setting up their camp fires and preparing lunch. It was only 9 a.m. but meals in Hungary are taken seriously. As is the custom, the smells of goulash and other assorted stews wafted through the air as we played football. Ben made sure to bring the (American) football because his 9th graders have been quite enthusiastic about learning the game.

At the park.

Ben talking with his 9th graders.  His favorite phrase to
say is, "So what's the plan?"

Ben tossing around the football.

After a while the students tired of football and decided to go on a hike to a lake nearby. We decided to join them, even though it walking through the woods meant being attacked by mosquitos along the way.

Walking towards the lake.

The lake was beautiful. 

A sign to the park.

We stayed a short time at the lake and then headed back to the main park. Once everyone was gathered again it was time for some friendly competition before lunch. We were split into 3 teams where we competed in a series of challenges like balancing water on your head, leap frogging, speed eating and even putting on a quick play.

Balancing water challenge.

We were acting out the story of "Little Red Riding Hood."
I played the part of "Tree #3." I don't like to brag, but I think
I did quite good holding up my tree branch.

After the team competition it was time for lunch. We had wild pig stew, a sausage stew, bread, and pickles. When lunch was over the students got a little restless and decided to start a water fight with each other. It was really entertaining, especially when your the one not getting soaked.

Water fight!

Attack!

When the water fight had died down we played another round of throwing the football. It is a great ice breaker to play football in Hungary. People would just randomly come up to us and want to learn how to throw it. 

 

Football in the field. 

After American football it was time for some real football--European style. I wasn't brave enough to get out into the field and play, but I did take some great photos of Ben playing.

Ben was often called, "Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee" while playing
with his students. I think it is the way he kicks the ball.  

Chasing the ball.

Ben got assigned goalie. 

While Ben played football I decided play badminton with another student. She was much better at the sport than I was, but it was still fun. I felt like I was just getting the hang of it when I hit the birdie onto the roof of the pavilion. I felt really bad, but she said it was okay and that it was time for a rest anyway. So we decided to go on a carriage ride with some of the other students. The ride was very entertaining. You know your in good hands when your driver is shirtless, smoking a cigarette in one hand and driving the carriage in another. It was a bumpy ride, but we made it around the park safely.

Preparing the carriage. 

Riding along.

Sign to different areas in the park.

 After the carriage ride it was time to leave the park. We gathered our stuff and head back to the train. The mood arriving and departing are always so different. When we got there everyone was bouncy and excited, when we left everyone was tired and a little sun burnt. Why is it that being in fresh air always exhausts you by the end of the day?

Leaving the park.

The red wood trees.

Open field with trees in the background.

When we got back to the station we said our goodbyes and rode back to our apartment. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we got a good nights rest after such a busy day.

School Stories

Dana's Name Day is June 2

Students can be so funny sometimes. Towards the end of class the students are free to ask me random questions as we wait for the bell to ring. One of my 3rd grade boys asked me, "Daaana, when is your birthday?" 

"April 30," I told them. 

"And when is your Name Day?" He asked. We had been through this before a few months earlier, but I guess the kids forgot. So I told them once again the sad news. 

"I don't have a Name Day." 

"No Name Day?" The boy shouted with grief. 

"That's right no Name Day." The boy then stood up and pointed at me while speaking to the rest of the class in Hungarian--telling them that I had no Name Day. The kids looked at me with sorrow and then they all got up out of their chairs to give me a group hug. Oh, geez I thought I've lost complete control of the classroom, but it got better. Then one of my girls said, "We will make today Daaana's Name Day!" They cheered at this suggestion and then looked at me to see if I would agree. 

"Okay, then. Today is my Name Day." I told the class. 

"Yippeee!" They cried out in cheers and shouts. Then in unison they started singing, "Happy Name Day to you, Happy Name Day to you!" While they sang the Name Day song another student fashioned a make-shift birthday cake for me using a sponge with a pencil stuck through the top. 

"Make a wish!" "Make a wish!" The class chanted. 

I blew out my 'candle' and then the bell rang. I guess my wish came true. 

Ben's Second Football Experience 

This last week the weather has been good and the kids have been inside all day testing. I had my entire 9th grade group in one class last Thursday. I came in and they were all depressed and trying to contain their desire to have the day end. One of my students had purchased a football and was running his finger on it. I had mine in my bag because one of the other teachers wanted to see it. So I smiled and asked, "Who would like to go outside today?" They all looked up with a smile and EVERY hand shot up. So we all went to the flattop soccer field behind the school. I gave the girls my football and the boys played with theirs. The girls get a little scared of the boys so I spent time with them and they became quite good at throwing. Then the boys convinced me to play touch with them. We had a little 30 minute game. 

Everything was going fine until a student punted the ball to us and it bounced on the ground and through a open ground window into the basement. All the kids were laughing and they came running over. We looked through the window and it was a gym. I was expecting a small room. Then 2 of my kids crawled through the window to get the ball. That is when they discovered that the door was locked from the outside. They sighed and crawled back out. However, one of my less fit students could not quite make it. He just laid on the floor and moaned while the other kids cheered him on and took pictures. Then the janitor started yelling at the kids and they all went running. I caught one and asked about getting the kid out and they said the janitor would do it. We went to the classroom and one kid came in really quiet and nervous. I asked what was up and he said, "I think we are in trouble!" So I went into the hallway and saw the school director and he just nodded to me and that was it. So I don't know if we are in trouble or the director's lack of English made him hold off his complaint until next week :) Oh, well it was a fun day and the kids really enjoy getting to do things a little out of the ordinary. I have no regrets.

Bicycling around Debrecen

The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle 

of novelists and poets. ~Christopher Morley

We never bought bikes while living here and perhaps that was a mistake. We borrowed bikes from our friends Ferdi and Melinda and have really enjoyed riding around town. No longer do we always have to ride on a crowded tram or wait on a bus. With the weather in the warm 80's (28 or so Celsius) it has been ideal for biking.

Back in Fort Worth we use to ride the Trinity trail frequently on the weekends. Now we have the whole city of Debrecen to explore. It is remarkable how a city can feel so different from one mode of transportation to the next. From walking, to buses, to trams, to cars and now bikes we have seen this city in every possible light. If only you could freeze the month of May--Debrecen would be the perfect place. However, time is going quickly now and June is now here. We have just a few weeks left in the city and it is bittersweet. Luckily we have the luxury of using bikes for a little bit to get the most out of our time here now.

We borrowed bicycles from our friends Ferdi and Melinda.

After a bike ride you should always get
an iced coffee. 

Soccer/Football man is back for the summer.
He saw Ben with the camera and decided to pose. 

Entertaining no one in particular. 

Ben on the move.

Riding around the square.

Ben on the bike.

Debrecen in the landscape. 

We had to grocery shop. You see it looks very similar to
back home. If you didn't hear people speaking another
language you probably wouldn't even know the difference. 

Our grocery--we go to many.
This happens to be on the way home.

The cemetery is very beautiful and well kept.

We reached the city limits.

We had dinner with our friends, Nancy and Amy at Calico Jacks Pub.

Ben's dinner.

My dinner--I had already eaten some. This is chicken quesadillas.

Having tea and coffee afterward at the local Tea House.

Riding the smallest Tram in Debrecen. 

The conductor driving.

Goodbye small tram!

Inside the bookstore.  Another example of how similar it is
to back home. 

Ben took a picture of the Debrecen coat of arms.

The Hairgrove's in Debrecen.

A once frozen pond is now a thriving area of play and entertainment.
These slides and bounce houses were for celebrating Children's Day. 

Paddle boat cars.

A lily pad or two.

People admiring the pond from the bridge.

Fishing for dinner.

A frog looking for a lily pad.