Wednesday, April 14, 2010

First impressions. The second. By Marie


Sziasztok!

I am Marie, 24 years old girl from France. I arrived the 1st of March 2010 at Megálló. First time in Hungary.

I won't tell anything about how it feels to arrive after four hours sleep in a country where you know no one and which language is (still) completly mysterious. Everyone can figure it out. Or not... It's a very personal feeling and the thing is I kind of like it like some people like oil's smell or all those 'normally' unpleasant things.
The important for this blog are much more the feelings I had being in Megálló. And despite of the language and the tiredness. Despite even of this feeling I have sometimes to be much more someone they have to take care of than someone who contributes to the development of the organization, I can say I really like being here, I am feeling comfortable in here.

I thing this is due to the general philosophy of the organization. Here more than nowhere else you are accepted as you are, with all your weaknesses and qualities too. I was a bit afraid that not being an addict, neither an ex-addict nor a professional social worker, my presence here would not be understanding or accepted. Well, I was just wrong. Could be that it is not understanding because sometimes I also have difficulties myself to figure out what am I doing concretely here but I never felt unaccepted.

The only thing I wish I could change sometimes is the part of my brain that is trying to learn ‘magyarul’... I wish it worked faster; I really want it so badly that it makes me angry at myself!

Anyway, I hope I could manage by the end of this EVS to write something in Hungarian here. Would not be perfect but neither is my English... As I said (or not I don't remember) I am French and unfortunately we are not the best at learning languages!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Firsts impressions. By MatzE



I have already been in Hungary before to visit my Hungarian family. I used to do it at least once a year. But when I came this time I felt completely different as if people were not acting the same, as they did not speak the same language, even the food taste different. I guess this is because this time I have serious work to do, it was not holidays anymore.

It is the first time I am going to live for real in another country. I used to live in Berlin for 28 years, and I could find similar things between Berlin and Budapest. Like mostly multicultural atmosphere, anonymity, fashion and of course the 24h-Shops.

The first days at Megálló I felt very comfortable because Timi, OP and other people from my Host-Organisation provided me a place to stay and they gave me advices about the everyday life (restaurants, tickets and supermarkets).

They support me so good that I’m feeling really fine here in Budapest and of course in Megálló.