Arriving to Zalaegerzeg Hungary

It was pretty amazing seeing two people, who I knew nothing about, never conversed with, waiting for me off the train stop. It was also pretty cool finding out that I am the only one teaching inan actual city. The remaining people went to rural villages as small as 30 people. I am in metropolis Zalaegerzeg, a city roughly the same as Saginaw, Michigan with 60,000 and like Michigan it has experienced its share of hardships. (In just the last few years the technology manufacturing company, where my host family dad works, has went form 8,000 to 2,0000.

I met the mom (Rita, who is about same height and shoe size as Nancy) and eldest daughter (Emese), and they drove me to their house, where their friend, an english teacher in Hungarian schools, was there to help. At the house dad (Csaba) and the other two daughters (Anna Agi) were also waiting. We laughed and joked and we ate meat pancakes, similar to perogies but lighter before they were topped with great cheese sauce.

Highlights include the following:

4:00 train station pickup
4:08: Arrive home
4:36: first shot of palinka (Hungarian liquor that is a mix of everything and 80 proof)
4:44: Father dubs me drinking buddy

Dinner was fantastic. The run this morning was much needed. I had a Hungarian history lesson over some wine and they have proposed visiting a waterpark. I proposed a party Saturday night to celebrate July 4th. And eldest daughter asked if I want to go to parties on Friday and Saturday night to meet other locals.

I have three classes at a local community center.
10-11:30 (Beginner)
1-2:30 (Intermediate/advanced)
5-6:30 (I believe beginner)

Other highlights include:
9:00 a.m. today: Laundry is done but not dried and I need my boxers so my host mother ironed my clean boxers.
Dad was professional volleyball player and won the Hungarian Cup in the early 90s, which is pretty cool. Its like me being with Scottie Pippen 15 years later. )Yep, he's a big deal.

Anyway, more photos will follow of their house, school and students.