Szechenyi Bridge. One of Seven, and by far my favorite.  

A Photography house. One of several buildings seen on an architectural walking tour. 

This reminds me of my friend Jenna, who never feels that far away. 

Taking a step back. 

Sarajevo, Bosnia Hercegovina

Culture excursion to Sarajevo, BiH, where the people are louder and more quick to smile.
Prior to this trip, we were required to read two books: The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway, and Sarajevo; A War Journal by Zlatko Dizdarevic. Seeing what we read is quite the experience.

A tour guide whisked us around to brief us on the complex historical web of Sarajevo. Fun Fact: our tour guide once led a tour for Morgan Freeman!

Two important details of Sarajevo's history is that Franz Ferdinand's assassination happened here which started World War I, and a Serbian siege (basically a genocide) happened from 1992-1995. The effects of the siege are still present and the hurt still remains.

Erin pumped for our first local dish of Ćevapčići 

Grey clouds and rain for the weekend. Pedestrian street by our Hostel. 

Bosnian Coffee and Turkish Delight. 

They call this a "rose." Brought to you by a mortar shell.
(Mind you, this only happened 20 years ago).

Sarajevo nestles in the Balkans. 

My pal, Jesus. Heading up the Catholic Cathedral. 

Panoramic of Muslim Mosque. ("Reading" from left to right; tilt your head to the right first and then to the left. The Center was my zenith.) 

Rugs for Islamic prayers. 

Jewish Synagogue. Chandelier and Dome. 

If you haven't noticed; yes, there is a rather diverse mix-up of religion. All within a half mile radius from each other. The prevailing religion however, is Islam.

Souvenirs! Lots of copper and Bosnian Coffee sets. 

Sure, this seems like an innocent street corner.... but this is the street corner of
the heir Ferdinand's assassination.

Smoking men in the midst of a heated chess match. 

Cobblestone and Minaret.

Hercegovina's city of Mostar. 

Famous for this "crooked" bridge. 

Sarajevo's Muslim cemetery on a hill overlooking the city. 

Shoes on the Danube Promenade.

Haircut! 

And after getting my hairs cut, I visited this memorial; in honor of  WWII Jews killed by fascist military. They were told to take off their shoes before getting shot into the Danube (per Wikipedia). 

Tribute to my Aunt Rachel....

Starbucks does exist in this part of the world! 

On the sidewalk to my first class at Corvinus University...

I sat next to people who were from Spain and Taiwan. 

More classes tomorrow and wednesday.  

Wine Fair! I tried a Rose wine. 

After the wine fair, a couple of us went to a free outdoor concert
where a bunch of Hungarian pop bands played.  

Here is a little taste of what I heard last night. Click here! 

Hero's Square

Monument to the Iron Curtain

Exterior of the House of Terror 

Terror Haza is a building that stands as a memorial/monument/museum to those victims that suffered during both Soviet and Nazi occupations in Hungary. The emotion conveyed in the exhibits cannot be described through pictures or words. The name, "House of Terror," initially made me think of a haunted house where one goes to experience cheap thrills. Not until learning the purpose of this building and seeing it firsthand did I realize how fitting the name is for it. Years of darkness lurked here in lies, deceit, and torture to make hell for victims held under the thumb of corrupted authority who practiced control over life and death. 

Szimpla and Soccer.

My friend Erin and I about ready to go to Szimpla with the rest of our group! 

(Here is a picture that Google generously donated) 

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/37158866.jpg

The guidebooks call it a "ruin bar." 

And tonight, a few us ventured out to see a "football" game. Two Budapest teams played; MTK and FTC . We sat on the FTC side where men in green were hooting, hollering, singing and cheering themselves hoarse. The sound of shouting and crackling sunflower seeds showered down on our group making us the quiet ones instead. [On public transportation you can hear us from a mile away!] 

Penztar. (Ticket booth). A tiny square hole in the wall to pay $2.50 for a ticket. 

Parliament. 

 

I enjoy taking pictures of my friend Erika...

on her camera. 

Finally there is clouds and rain. The cats are meowing their complaints, but the smell of soil I welcome. With the heat I've not been motivated to branch out to the city and start learning its rhythms. After being here for 2 weeks I still feel as if I'm "somewhere in Europe;" patiently waiting for Hungary to display itself to me.