Where in the World is Cat?

Hello All!

Well, actually, I lie a little in my heading here. I am writing with reason, but I'll get around to that. I have yet to post some pictures of Hungary as promised, and to tell you all a little about my wonderful trip there. That, and I'll elaborate just a little on other goings on here in Moscow.

But first, just a few words about my blog. My main motivation for starting this blog was to communicate with friends and family. Knowing that I would be physically absent for a considerable amount of time from the lives of my family, and that I would be constantly saying goodbye to friends (such is the nature of an international school) I wanted to be able to talk to you all, let you know my thoughts, things that I am up to, and to provide a little picture of my life (oh, and yea - to hear from you guys too! Those little "comment" buttons at the end of each blog really do work!).

However, it has come to my attention that the tone of my last couple blogs has caused some to worry. I do try to avoid politics in these blogs as I do understand that the world has access to it, and the dangers that can come unexpectedly. It is within this framework that I write what I feel, and to do so without provoking such "dangers". I wouldn't write something if I thought it would risk causing anyone, including myself, harm. I may have my criticisms of Russia, but I also have many about the United States as well, and I would not hesitate to print my opinions (politely put, of course) about the US. Russia IS democratic in nature, and I believe enough in the country's ability and current efforts to grow to post such things here.

I do thank those of you that did write me with your concerns, I appreciate your care very much. But please, know that I'm not an aspiring journalist, I'm not a political activist and I wouldn't do anything unless I was 100% positive it was safe. (I have survived a year in Moscow unharmed afterall!) ((Currently knocking on the wood of my desk!))


Having said my share, let's return to the usual light-hearted nature of this website. We're hear to learn and share afterall!

So my trip to Budapest was just absolutely amazing. I know understand why people spend weeks sleeping on trains or in hostels to backpack across Europe. There really is so much to see in our world, and man, I've just begun. Budapest really opened my eyes as to how diverse a place can be - and when I say diverse, I don't just mean the color or ethnicity of the people walking the streets, but by the architecture in the city, nature of a country's history and a nation's ability to adapt to change.

My Hungarian friend and former roommate Paprika did an amazing job of keeping me busy - 5 days of sightseeing, and they were packed! Needless to say, I slept well during my stay as well! We saw everything, from the local sights in Budapest, to museums, churches, nearby Bratislava (the capital of Slovakia) and she treated me to a bit of rural Hungary by inviting me home to her house outside of Budapest for dinner. I could spend all day describing the intricacies of the trip, but I would suggest checking out the new album of photos I created in my gallery instead. I've put up captions, so you'll know what you're looking at. (Just click on my photos in Picasa, upper right link!)

Just a few words on Bratislava. My motivation for going to Bratislava was to visit Slovakia, the homeland of my grandmother's family. I had hoped to visit her mother's village of Nizhni Ruzbahi, but unfortunately the trip would have required an overnight stay and a exorbitant and long (3 hours) taxi ride from the closest bus stop. I haven't given up hopes, just will plan in the future to make the trip when I have a few more, ahem, resources available. However, I am very happy that I visited. Slovak language is so similar to Russian that I understood it almost perfectly, though did not speak Russian in reply, as the slight difference was enough to provoke an old babushka. Apparently despite the strong similarity in language, they in no way want to be associated with the Russians! The culture however was more European than Russian, with obvious influences from neighboring Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Austria. The architecture, like in Budapest, was wide in range, but what I enjoyed the most was the Translyvanian feel of the Bratislava Castle (Romania is just three hours away!).

In a strange way though, being in Slovakia, knowing that part of my heritage came from this area of Europe and seeing the strong similarities in culture with Russia, I felt a little closer to Russia - as if it wasn't so strange or foreign as it always seems to me. Guess this is a little hard to explain, but wanted to share it.

Well, I guess I haven't left any room for pictures. This means the responsibility is now on you! Go click on that link! The pictures are beautiful!