Monday 10 December 2012

Today was a great day of religion.  I enjoyed going to the LDS church here, which you will see pictures of below.  There are three LDS wards in Budapest.  I gave some thoughts today on sharing the gospel during Sacrament Meeting - I have had the chance to talk about the gospel with many people while I have been here (more in France as I spoke the language there).  Today was my last Sunday here and even though I was only here for a few weeks I made some great friends.  After church, I went with my Bihari family (the family that I live with) to a Hanukkah party.  The Bihari's are non-practicing Jews.  The Hanukkah party was at their cousins's house, who are Orthodox Jews.  Among other things, this family strictly keeps the Jewish Sabbath Day holy, avoiding all work from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.  They have timed lighting in their home so that they don't have to switch on lights, etc.  Most male Orthodox Jews wear the kippah, the small cap.  On Hanukkah (from Wikipedia): "Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical Menorah consists of eight branches with an additional raised branch. The extra light is called a shamash (Hebrew: שמש, "attendant")[4] and is given a distinct location, usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the shamash is to have a light available for use, as using the Hanukkah lights themselves is forbidden."
I enjoyed the simple Hanukkah ceremony, in particular because I learned more about a religion that has always been very interesting to me.  [5]


 With Brother Kovács in front of the Budapest stake center, the first stake center in Hungary 
 Budapest Stake Center
 Preparing the oil in the Menorah

 Lighting the Menorah


Of the three rows, the one to the right is for the father and the two others are for the two sons of the family.

Sunday 2 December 2012

My first political demonstration


Today I attended my first political demonstration, with about 10,000 Hungarians.  The US Ambassador to Hungary, Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, was also in attendance, along with the Israeli Ambassador.  Please read the article here first for background: http://www.euronews.com/newswires/1746688-thousands-rally-against-far-right-in-hungary/

The event marked an unusual reconciliation between the Far-Right Fidesz party and the Socialist MSZP party after the disparaging remarks made on Monday.  However, many people here are waiting, most likely in vain, for condemnation of the remarks by Prime Minister Viktor Orban.  


 The pre-game meal
 Heading to the demonstration
 Looking towards the stage with the parliament building in the background.  The bright lights are flashing the word "NEM," which means no.

 Most flags in one place I've ever seen outside of the US and outside of Norway's independence day

Sunday 25 November 2012

Castle Hill in Budapest, Hungary

Wonderful day yesterday visiting Castle Hill, the prime territory of Budapest.  Various groups, including the Ottomans, Hapsburgs, Nazis, and Soviets have warred over this strategic location.  Happily, Hungarians now are in charge of their own country.  

World War II bullet holes still visible

 Advertisement against the left political party.  The Fidesz (center-right) party has a majority in parliament and a great deal of power in Hungary.  They are taking increasing controls over the media, universities, and increasing taxes.  Most Budapestians are not happy with the party.  
Parliament offices

Caught a military band
In honor of my alma mater, the Air Force Academy falcons


Royal Guard

Matthias Church, rebuilt often over eight centuries.  Name honors  King Matthias Corvinus (15th century), who led a renaissance of Hungarian political power and culture.  Hapsburg Empire kings were coronated here as well.

Royal Crown and Coat of Arms

Alter in Matthias Church

Overlooking the Danube, Europe's largest river, from Castle Hill.  Parliament Building is the spire across the river.

Chain Bridge, Danube River.  One of the great bridges that span the Danube in Budapest.  Buda is on the near side of the river - Pest is on the far side.

Note the crown over the Virgin Mary (Matthias Church).

Queen Elisabeth, wife of Franz Josef, Ruler of Hapsburg Empire

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Military in the Alsace Region

 Outside of the Hartsmannwillerkopf Memorial Site (on the left is Mr. Evan Reade, Head of the U.S. Consulate here in Strasbourg), along with French officers, Tim Stokes, and me).  Along with 100 French soldiers, we participated in the memorial ceremony honoring the 215th Infantry Regiment, which was very important during World War I fighting in this area and continues in operation today (the regiment served in Afghanistan last year).
 With Major General Cochin, French Army, and President of the memorial site.  I asked him if he played basketball (because of his height).  He replied, "I hate basketball"! (-:
Visit to Eurocorps, one of Europe's joint military organizations.  Picture with Major Hans Haegdorens, Belgian Army and Chief of Eurocorps Public Information Office.  Eurocorps is a joint entity comprised of Germans, French, Belgians, Spaniards, and Luxembourgers, along with smaller entities from Poland, and Italy.  Along with the headquarters staff that we visited today, there are 5 French-German combined battalions in the area.  The operational language for the units is English.  

Wednesday 17 October 2012

Strasbourg introduction

 This is my language school.  
 Strasbourg loves its students
 Near the Cathedral of Notre Dame, an amazing edifice that dates back to the 1400s.
This photo is blurry, but the small figure on the bottom center seems to be The Undertaker.  This set is part of a cool astrological clock that dates back to the 1400s.  Each half hour, the undertaker beats his drum, apparently proclaiming the onset of death.  The 12 Apostles appear once per day.  

Monday 15 October 2012

Bienvenue à Strasbourg

Well...it has been awhile since I blogged, and you guessed it, I'm starting again because I'm on the road.   I'm in Strasbourg, France to be specific.  I arrived here on Sunday evening.  Strasbourg is in eastern France, on the German border.  I am here to learn more French and to gain a deeper understanding of Europe politics and military activities.  Strasbourg seems to be a great town, quiet and low-key.  The architecture of the city is cool, as there is a mix of Parisian-like stately buildings with balconies as well as Germanic buildings.  I started French school yesterday and the school is awesome!  I have 3 hours in the morning of group instruction, then 1.5 hours of group conversation, and 1 hour of individual instruction.  It was fantastic talking in French for the whole day yesterday - it had been a long time since I had done that.  I am living in a nice apartment, as my work couldn't find a French family for me to live with.  I miss my family a lot, but am grateful for this opportunity and will make the most of it.