Arrival in Prague

Our last night in Budapest was an unforgettable one. Many of the students went to Freedom's Square to watch the Spain-Chile FIFA soccer game in the park (and help cheer for Spain alongside the native Hungarians). It was immersion at its best. Afterward, we spent the evening enjoying the various sites of Budapest on our own before heading back to the Astoria hotel to get ready for the journey into the Czech Republic.

By 9:30 this morning, our train was pulling out of Budapest's central-city station. Six and a half hours later, we've arrived at the second destination of our chronological study of the fall of Communism- Prague (or Praha in Czech). From the 1956 Hungarian Revolution in Budapest, we're jumping 12 years ahead to learn about the Prague Spring of 1968. From there, we'll fast forward another 21 years into the Velvet Revolution of 1989 before moving on to Warsaw on Wednesday, June 30.

As lame puns have become a staple of the group, I guess you could say we've officially czech-ed in.

-Alex :)

Leaving Hungary...

For three brisk days--sunny and mild ones--our students have traversed the Hungarian capital absorbing the events of the past seventy years, or so. To Hungarians, the cold war begins almost immediately with the end of World War II and Soviet troops inside Hungary, in effect replacing Nazi troops. There are earlier precursors and ample nuances, but it's substantially a continuum of occupation.

Much of our attention has been focused on the events of the 1956 Hungarian uprising, its suppression and the role of external media, especially Radio Free Europe. The students will have to make their own conclusions about how influential the American radio broadcasts were in encouraging the Hungarians. We'll get additional perspective on that next week in Prague at RFE headquarters.

The pace is challenging, as we try to get in two or three formal meetings a day, a bit of sightseeing to familiarize ourselves with where we are historically and at present, and the adventure for most of being in an unfamiliar land with a largely unfathomable language. (Hungarians themselve admit no one else can understand them.) Very pleased with the way the students have figured out shopping, public transportation and the best wi-fi spots.

Seven hours on the train tomorrow to get to Prague. Prep time and nap time.

CB 6/25

Visitors and Videos

Today the class met with two visitors, Dr. Tamas Magyarics, Dean of ELTE University's Americas Department, and Peter Bajomi-Lazar, Editor-in-Chief of Media Researcher, for an educational day in Budapest. With facts about the role of the mass media on the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 rolling around in our minds, we set out during our free time to do some exploring. Whether walking down to Elizabeth Bridge or grabbing a gelato and strolling in the park, it was an unforgettable day of insight and adventure.

As promised, here's a short video that captures the sights around Budapest that we've grown to love:

-Alex

Budapest, Day 2

Hello again! Wednesday in the city has proved to be unbelievable. Sunshine brought out both the natives and tourists in droves. What did we schedule for the day? Getting up early and hitting the sights, of course!

Some glimpses of Budapest:

Statue Park- Stepping back into the era of Communism

Heroes' Square

Looking across the Danube at Buda

Tonight, the group is headed out for a traditional Hungarian dinner. We'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

-Alex

Budapest 20 years later...

A quick stroll through the downtown streets and along the banks of the Danube began to put Budapest back in perspective after some 20 years absence. I was last here as a CNN correspondent when President George H.W. Bush visited in the heady days as the communist bloc was imploding and breaths of freedom were exploding across eastern Europe.

Much has changed. Much still to be done. The city a little brighter, even on a rainy afternoon.
Fancier shops, but that's only a surface gleaning. Construction cranes are always a good sign, though we know the economy is struggling. "We're not on the Euro yet," the guide on the incoming bus noted and added, "that is good for you."

Elections here and just recently in the Czech Republic and, shortly, when we are in Poland continue to shape the coalitions that are struggling with the post-communist transition to full market economies and the revision of social structures. This is what we hope our students will begin to grasp on this brisk tour.

CB 6/22/10

Funny Stories Abroad

Everyone tends to have moments where sleep deprivation and exhaustion tend to catch up with them on trips, which could cause an embarrassing moment. I thought it might be fun to share these moments and people caught in the act already.

Instance number one:
We were standing in the line to go through security in the Munich Airport when a security guard looks at Dave and says, "You have laptop inside?" Dave replies with "Oh I'm sorry. I don't speak German." Sandy and I started laughing and Dave still doesn't know what is going on. Then the guy asks him the question again. Since Dave still looked confused, I felt the need to help him out. We then found out Dave did have a laptop inside.

Instance number two:
We decided to go to the grocery store after dinner to pick up some things. I was in first in line to check out and Kyara was right behind me. The cashier rang up the things I was buying and I handed her my money. She then starts yelling at me. She was saying something was wrong with the bills I gave her, but I had no idea what to do. I decided to turn to Kyara for help. She didn't know what the lady was saying either so we paniced. We then took all the coins we had and held them out to her in our hands. Extremely embarrassed at the looks we were getting, we waited on the cashier to take what she needed and we fled the scene. I don't think we will be going back there any time soon.

Morgan

So we finally arrived in Budapest via Munich Tuesday midafternoon. It was quite an adventurous flight, and I'll write another post about my new Albanian friend later. I just wanted to put up some video of the view of our hotel suite and the view off the balcony. The batteries died on me before I could finish, but at least it's a start.

Carolina love,

Zach