The Citadella!!!

I am sitting here, listening to Andrea and Silvia chatting in the konyha (kitchen) as I am organizing pictures and writing my first newsletter, hoping to get it in the mail soon. Two months has passed and still no monthly newsletter. Hmmm… I am failing at this support letter thing. I must improve that soon.

I have really exciting news to report! I am now a LEGAL resident of Hungary! Praise God! I have the sticker in my passport and everything – I have signed every document needed and I have had every document stamped 20 times or so (Hungarians really like their stamps :P) It’s a great feeling – knowing that I do not have to go back to the Office of Immigration again. Please keep praying that Jeff and Kristy also receive theirs soon – they are the only volunteers that still need to get them. They are encountering similar issues, but deadlines are coming very, very soon.

Many of you have been asking for my address and due to lack of residential permit, I have been reluctant to give it out. However, here you are. I have enjoyed my many trips to the office only to bring home mail for my roommates (all EU citizens, who are able to live wherever they please within the EU). Please address it as follows :)

Önkentes Diakóniai Év Programiroda
Trazy Richter
1146 Budapest
Hungaria Krt. 200
Hungary

I know that mail from here to the US takes about 2-3 weeks to arrive (not really sure ‘cuz no one has told me when they’ve received my letters), so I would assume that it’s the same going this way. Also, in case you aren’t aware, it will cost more than the normal $0.44 stamp. Please go to the post office and get the correct postage because otherwise I won’t get it.

Some of you have also asked about care packages. Yes, those are appreciated and enjoyed more than you can probably imagine. We helped Silvia open one tonight and it was just… delightful. It became a flatmate affair, checking to see what she got and laughing/crying/sharing memories together. My mother checked into prices and it can be quite expensive, but depending on weight there are a couple options available. You can send a “flat rate” box, which is about $40, but you could send 50lb weights or cotton and it would all cost the same. Or, it can be cheaper to send a light package. It’s best to go to your friendly post office and check it all out first. As far as items in the box, this was ridiculous to try and think of, to be honest. I am well stocked on peanut butter now and the Americans have all been visiting and they’ve been thrilled to enjoy it, so in the future that may be a great idea. They have it here, but it’s expensive and really not the same. Also, Jodi provided me with some instant Starbucks coffee – Starbucks Via Ready Brew. It’s pretty much amazing. While I like the strong coffee over here, it’s sometimes nice to just enjoy a good cup of American coffee. Hmmm… also, I am quickly running out of reading material – so books are good, too. I just ask that you don’t send all deep theological books – there’s just so much my brain can take and after struggling in a world that I have to translate, it’s nice to curl up with a good book that doesn’t require much thinking. Other than that, I can’t really think of anything specific. OH! However, if you send anything new (other than food or personal hygiene things), please please please take it out of its packaging and make it look used (I won’t mind). If DVDs still have plastic wrap on them, or if electronics are in their original packaging, or if any price stickers are still on, the customs can claim an ‘import tax’. For someone living on an extremely tight budget, it doesn’t work well. Also, if you have never shipped anything before, please check out the rules first. You cannot send some things through the mail. Also, please note that you will need more room for the stamps when you send letters – the stamps on international letters are bigger. … Okay… did I cover everything? I hope so. Also, if you have ANY questions, please ask.

I think that covers my news for the day. I pray that you are all having a great day and that we can chat soon. Remember – my email is trazylyn@gmail.com, find me on Skype (there aren’t many Trazy’s out there), or check out Facebook for more news. I may not always respond in the most timely fashion, but that’s because my internet time is limited, but I promise to respond eventually.

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És persze (and of course), photos :) The following pictures are all from Citadella – the fort built in 1851, used as a bunker in WW2 – home of the Hungarian ‘Statue of Liberty’ – on Gellert Hill in Buda. My favorite time to go (obviously) is at night, but I am also enjoying my early morning hikes to the top to see the sunrise.

This is a view of the chain bridge in the center and Budai Var (Buda Castle) on the left (it’s all lit up).


This is a view of Pest (the east side of the river). I live and work in Pest.


This is another view of the Duna (Danube) and two of the many bridges connecting Buda and Pest.


This is a view of Buda. Note the flatness and seemingly more residential lights. Also, you see more dark spots which are *gasp* trees!


This is the Hungarian “Statue of Liberty”. Srsly. I took my pictures of one night to Zoltán and he pointed and said “My Statue of Liberty.” It’s beautiful to see her standing tall at night and she is the TALLEST thing in all of Budapest.


This is something you’ve probably hoped you’d never see – me behind a cannon. Timothée stated “And you see? The Americans win the war!” It’s scary to see that it looks like I’m having waaay too much fun here! Plus, the lighting makes it kinda look like I’d actually fired and hit something. Jöjj! Yikes! :)