Speech is silver, but silence is golden

Sometimes when there is too much to say I end up saying nothing at all. I have at least two weeks worth of Budapest posts, but as I am back in Warsaw they will have to wait. I spent yesterday bonding with the baby and K and I went out to Zloty Terassy, the new shopping mall near the central train station in the city centre. They have been building this thing since I have been in Polska and when I left at Christmas they were about to open it a couple of weeks later.

The building is amazing, innovative, light and beautiful. I must say that when new buildings spring up in Warsaw or are rennovated, the result is usually spectacular, the Polonia Palace hotel being another case in point. The shops, cafes are bars are becoming more westernised with each new complex that opens and Warsaw is moving forwards really fast. It is still the city that I love though, and I remember how much of a surprise that was the first time round, I never expected to love Poland was much as I did. Can you be in love with two things at the same time, or does one always pale in comparison?

Baby boy

I arrived in Warsaw a couple of hours ago which it would seem is just long enough to totally fall in love with my Godson. He is beautiful and I have not made him cry yet, so he is even more endeared to me. K and N are doing well and seem to have slotted into parenthood like the naturals that I always knew they would be.

This afternoon K and I are going wedding gift shopping for J and D's wedding on Friday. Back in my beloved city again, it feels like coming home.

First thoughts

I really don't feel like I live here yet. It has been a week and two days since I arrived and I have been all over the city as the girls have been here all week and we have been super touristing every day, so I feel like a tourist. We have been to the thermal baths, the Saturday market, the Castle, a bus tour and all sorts of other exciting Budapest stuff. I feel that my first week may be lost a little in the fact that there is no regular internet access.

I keep making comparisons in my head and I suppose that it is only natural to do this. The heat has been something else and lots of late nights and lack of sleep does crazy things to my mind. I can see above all that I like this city, I'm just not in love yet, but the potential is there. I find Hungarians very helpful and friendly and most are impressed with the 5 words of Hungarian that I am able to use confidently.

The girls are on their way to the airport now and in the middle of Sunday night/Monday morning so will I be. Baby A and his parents in Warsaw as well a J's wedding will be what occupies my mind for the next week. I think that when I get back to Budapest after that will be when I bump back down to earth and the reality of my move will settle in. For the rest of today there are phone calls and packing to be done, flat needs to be cleaned and I have managed to blog again without really looking at the city. I promise some great pictures and travel tips soon though.

Arrived again

I am waiting at the airport for J and M to arrive from Manchester and their plane is delayed and I have found an internet cafe for fifteen minuutes. My little Godson arrived a few days ago and I am dying to see him very soon. You can find a picture here. Not having the internet at home means that I have only just seen the pictures myself, but K and N seem tired but happy.

Budapest is getting hotter and I did my first massive shop today in Klauzal Tér. I also went forr a walk by the big Synagogue on my way to the airport and will definitly be putting it on my list of places to visit with the girls. I will be back Budapest blogging with full force in a couple of weeks. Until then I will have to take it where I can get it.

Arrived

I got here safely and relativly easily on Thursday evening and was picked up from the airport by people from the new job. I always knew that these first few days of being alone in a big city were something to be survived, and when I am in my new flat I start to feel scared and nervous. What I was not prepared for was the giggling excitement that I am feeling when I step out the door and start exploring. I think that I might like this city and can't wait to get rid of the initial feelings of fear and replace them with feelings of adventure.

J and M are arriving tomorrow and with them brings a fresh reason to get out into the city and explore, there is only so much that feels fun when you are by yourself in a new place. I already have a trip to Varhegy Castle planned and can't wait to get them off to the Baths for a long soak again. I have had my camera with me at all times and have already taken tons of photos to put on the blog once my internet is up and running in the flat.

The things I have found out about my little area are that it was the Jewish Ghetto in World war II and I am close to the Opera house and St Stephens Basilica. I have found a few shops and have been stocking up on water and breakfast foods for my guests. I have also had a coffee with M, a friend of a friend from Warsaw, and coffee with J, a new colleague. I can also confirm that I don't think that this flat is haunted like the one in Poland, although I am feeling strange drafts when I sit in a particular place...

So in a nutshell, I have arrived, I feel overwhelmed, I am ecstatic and emptional, but feel real wonder at what I might discover in this new city. Oh my God, I actually live in Budapest now!

Travelling...

Two hours on the train. Three hours to check-in. Three and a half hours in the air. One Ipod. One 'Teach yourself Hungarian' book. See you in Budapest!

In less than 24 hours...

I will be on the train on the way to the airport. I have just been into town and done all my last minute things. J and M are all set to arrive on Monday I think and I have a coffee arranged for friday with a friend of a friend in Budapest. I am sick with nerves but these abated a little after a lovely email from my new boss telling me not to worry and confirming that some-one will pick me up from the airport.

I have my godbyes to say to N, L and S later on today and the next two hours will be spent sorting and packing everything that has laid on my bed for the last two weeks waiting to be packed, but I couldn't be bothered. Well, I have to be bothered now as I am leaving tomorrow! At least the girls are coming on Monday so I can emergency text if there is anything major that I forget. Now back to the packing and the goodbyes...