On the street where we live...

The street we live on is Vasar Utca, actually pronounced, washer utza. The area is called Rakoczi Ter, a ter is a plaza or park.

The ter is currently a construction site. They are building a Metro station in the middle of the ter. The curious thing is that there is no Metro line in either direction for several blocks. Apparently there is a constant battle between the Left and Right sides in the government and the Metro station is being built without financial support to extend one of the existing lines to Rakoczi Ter. Maybe we are still in Kansas.

The main entrance to the market was originally on the ter but the construction project has closed that. The main entrances are now on the north and south, the north entrance is right across from our building.

The neighborhood is interesting, lots of little local shops, barber, bicycle, music and 2 restaurants on the corner, one seems to be a polish restaurant the other is a neat little cafe with art on the walls and a friendly staff that speaks some English, I call it "Restaurant English." A nice cup of coffee is 180 forints, about a dollar.

There is a very nice auto part, hardware, home supply, key shop across the ter called Rakoczi Ozlethaz, I'm not sure of the translation. I have purchased a shower head, a small broom and dustpan and a Pumpa Nyeles, plunger. Special note for the Philadelphians or Philadelphia visitors...Kilians has a second store.

The apartment buildings are courtyard style, lots of windows, great breezes. When we walk into the hallway from the outside there is a at least a 15 degree drop in temperature. Ours seems to be above the curve as far as condition, someone is always sweeping, watering or washing, there is a patch/paint project going on in the stairway. The flowers are beautiful.

The windows in our flat in conjunction with the open courtyard makes me wish this computer had smell-o-net. The aromas in the morning are scrumptious. Everyone cooks early before the heat of the day sets in.

I was able to take a picture of a local woman looking from her window.

Having the windows open allows us to hear the sounds of the street, generally relaxing and it quiets down in the evening.

Doing this blog is a bit like being a talk show host in Girard, Kansas, you're not sure if anyone is listening but you keep right on talking.

Lisa has gone over to the market for water and fresh cherries. We're not sure what today will bring but tomorrow is filled. ELTE at 8:30 and Moholy-Nagy in the afternoon. These are the two Universities Lisa will be working with. We are excited.

Later