The first Hungarian language lesson

In the past few days, a lot of things happened at the same time... So I am trying to write what has happened since the feria...  (01.07.2017.)

Alhambra tickets:
Since we are officially Granada residents and we have a NIE number, so we can request a free ticket for the wonderful Alhambra, Generalife, every Monday at Corral del Carbon. We knew that we have to arrive in time so that we don't have to wait in the line hours... We got our tickets. Although I was a little bit afraid, because these tickets are always on the week, on Sunday and I knew that I will be a volunteer on Sunday at the FEX or at the Festival ... At Palacio Nazaríes we can enter in a specific time, that we had to choose. 3 o'clock. So I thought we would come out well with time. Then we passed up from the Alhambra visit this week, as the pre-departure training of 15 Spanish youngsters was organised on that Sunday. Of course, we would have been happy to be a tourist, but this wasn't a big problem of course...  In September, October we will still have the opportunity to visit.

Corral del Carbon

I am so excited to visit Alhambra :) And see this part...

Festival meeting:
Well, I don't need to say how nervous and in the same time very excited I was before this meeting. (Although I have wrote these excitements in my diary, I do not know how to write it down now, because since then everything has changed, I started the festival ...: D) Meetting and volunteering for FEX and the International Dance and Music Festival was organized by the Azafatas Alhambra. It was all in Spanish and although Marisa spoke fast enough, I managed to catch the most important information. About the missing parts I asked after the meeting. At that time, much was not entirely clear and I was afraid that something I didn't notice... We got the most important information in writing also, everything was sent on  whatsapp, so I had the chance to translate. Later, of course, as volunteering began, everything became clearer.

Organización de Congresos y Eventos

First meeting with 'Fantasztikus 3.0 Short- term EVS team':
On the same day we held the first meeting with the Spanish group. We arrived earlier to prepare the room for the meeting. Finally, we didn't have so much luck, because the youth center changed the opening hours (it opened half an hour later), so we started talking on the street. This time, Dani said only general information, and raised some cultural differences, which I thought was a big surprise in one hand, and on the other hand they seemed to want to know more about our everyday life and to spend their time successfully during their short-term EVS  in Kaposvár at Compass Egyesület. It was funny to see the faces. And we decided also about the first Hungarian lesson.
On the way home, we spoke about the tasks. That was when I felt a little nervous, how can I do everything in the same time, but of course finally everything was fine. Language lesson, festival, presentation about Hungary - Kaposvár - Compass and other little tasks ... That time they seemed huge task, but I think my biggest fear was the festival... :D


Hungarian class:
The first Hungarian class was held on Thursday. On Wednesday I was still creating the things feverishly. Although I knew that I have to organize a Hungarian lesson, in my head I tried to figure out how to teach a few useful words not in a  boring way, but the real part of the work was still waiting for me. (Ideas and searching for information remind me the moments of primary school... little grammar again and I learned from our own language again.) So I had some stress, but it was kind of good. Finally, I was able to complete everything and tried to describe the order in which I would like to keep the lesson.
I started with a short presentation. Some basic, interesting information about the Hungarian language. Then ABC. Then we started with a little gallows-tree game to get to know  the day's names of the week, and we learned useful phrases. The mood and the atmosphere were very familiar. As they learned Hungarian, we also improve our Spanish language skills. 'Má o meno', 'que má' and others came out again: D
As I had the first lesson, I felt very well.

This language issue is so interesting. We always forget about that is also not so easy to speak in our language. It is natural that we speak Hungarian, but it is not so simple. It is very interesting to me as I study Spanish, while of course we talk a lot in English, and now I'm ready for the Hungarian lesson. Really interesting trio. Spanish is a very interesting and melodic language and I am really lucky to develop my knowledge in a native language environment. Meanwhile, of course, I learn one or two Bulgarian words from Didi. We have even begun to collect similar words. Our plan is to make a video with these words at the end of the project.

Fortunately, in the shop, in the fruiterers, in the kebab place ... I can express myself and the people from Granada are so so friendly and helpful. They always take a big smile and they know us in our usual, favorite places: D  Although I will write about the festival later, it was very useful to me in case to improve my Spanish . They were communicating with me in Spanish all the time, which was difficult at first and caused a couple of funny moments, but I am very grateful for this opportunity.






Program plan for july:
On Friday we talked with Dani about the activities of the two youth exchanges, the workcamp and the Parapanda Folk festival. It will be a hard month, but we're excited. Sara will be with us for the first exchange. Here again, we have to prepare energizers and know- each- other games, to help with logistical tasks. In addition, we have also some little work before the program. For example, logo design, making dictionaries with useful terms. In addition, we are preparing for a couple of challenging tasks for those traveling to Kaposvár.

With Didi we shared the tasks, we did some tasks together, but it was what she was doing alone while, I finished the  preparation for the other Hungarian class, I was volunteering at the festival during the evenings.

So I'm going to keep the following entry from here, with lots of experience on the festival, preparation short-term EVS, swing party, last week and  although the home is home, I feel more and more at home here also :)

The FEX started :)

Feria

I am writing this text just now, because I just saw it yesterday that how long I haven't wrote in English.... And there is a lot of things to share :D So let's start at the second week in June... I already wrote this experiences in Hungarian on my blog so I will translate and show how I felt in that time :)

It's summer and it's just June .... Hot. Julia showed one day that the thermometer showed up to 48 degrees in her room ... That's not bad. It is more tolerable in our room, but it is impossible for me to fall asleep easily.

Sacromonte

09/06/2017. Friday

If I remember correctly, I did not mention it, but at the advice of Nadia we applied for volunteering at the Festival Internacional de música y danza, which will take place in Granada. We've sent our application. I have some questions about my Spanish language knowledge. The lady replied that she can explain everything in the office and I can attend with a basic knowledge at the festival. So on Friday I did not delay going. They were very nice. They spoke Spanish to me, but I understood the questions they asked and I simply could answer. Finally, they decided that I can be a volunteer, so I will be helping from 23 June to 2 July. There will be a meeting on Tuesday, after which I will probably know more about the tasks. As concerts and performances begin at 10-11pm  we discussed with Dani that I will have few smaller tasks should be solved of these days. This is quite natural, because on 3rd f June we are already going to Íllora, and we will also take part in the preparation of the Spanish youngster who goes to Kaposvár.
Although I have little fears, will I understand everything..., I am very excited to wait for this weeks.




In the evening I was with Dani in the Asesoría. Didi was still in Portugal, and Nadia had exams. Several people came in the office. Although for the first time we had an idea to try to explain in Spanish what to know about EVS, we ended up with English, supplemented with some Spanish words. Or if it was needed, Dani translated Spanish. It was very useful this time, to exercise even more, to emphasize the most important things, etc.



In the evening, I went to Mirador de San Nicolás. This place is full of tourists during the day and it's very hot ... But it was awesome at 11 am, midnight. Full moonlight, guitar music, handclap and vocals. It was really cozy. I met a German guy, too. He left his job and started to travel. He dosn't have much plans, try to follow his feelings, and spend as much time in every town and village as he feel good. It was interesting to talk to him. It was not easy to leave this 'party place' around 2, but my body felt that a little sleep is needed.

06/10/2017. Saturday
On Saturday I had a bit of work at home, and in the afternoon we went walking with Julia and Orco (dog). It was really hot.... so I used cream and of course I had water. We went to Sacromonte. It was awesome. At one place we had a drink, a beer and enjoyed the wonderful view of the Alhambra. Then Julia showed me one of her favorite garden bar. It was wonderful. Beer, tapas and 'our world conversation'. I really enjoyed it.




In the evening we visited the 'Conoce el Ramadan'-Know the Ramadan program. It was near us, at Triunfo. I met Nadia there. Later Carmen also joined. There were programs for children also. More and more people came to the square. It was a very special occasion.
Dozens of Muslims arrived in the park of the city, praying together and having dinner.
Granada may have shown that she is a city of coexistence and tolerance. How colorful is this city ...
The event was open to all people regardless of religion to promote a better understanding of the Ramadan celebration. We also ate a date and I tasted the Harira soup and special sweets. Bread and fresh fruit could not be missed.





We were thinking to go to Feria because it started that day, but we finally went to dinner. The atmosphere was really familiar. Nadia's family have a big heart :) It was a very pleasant evening.

06/11/2017. Sunday
Didi arrived home from Portugal on Sunday and her friend, Rita she also visited us in Granada. She is Hungarian. In the evening we walked together to the Federico García Lorca park. We haven't been there yet. It was beautiful. A really relaxed park with fountain, smaller promenades, benches, buffets, children's playground. Rita spent only one day with us, so they spent the afternoon in Albaicin, and we went together to Paseo de Los Tristes in the evening.



06/12/2017. Monday
I started to learn Spanish on the online page again and I was surprised to find it better now than at the beginning. This is not the best platform, but we can learn videos ... In the evening we went to the Bib-Ramba Square to watch flamenco performance. First, an older group danced, followed by young people. There were really nice little children. With Didi, we immediately saw the little ones who were most passionate about dancing.



06/13/2017. Tuesday
The application for short-term EVS in Kaposvár was closed on Sunday. So we made the selection on Tuesday. The team- work is getting better and better. We've been able to see all the answers and videos and then set up the order (which was not that easy), with colors. We also sent to Dani our opinion, which he checked.
In the evening we had a Spanish with Sara. We learned the verbs.  We had a drink, tapas together wit Sara and Didi. After that we again enjoyed the performance of flamenco dancers with Didi.



06/14/2017. Wednesday
We spoke with Julia in the morning about common task of the house. There was a little misunderstanding, perhaps, about how we can host guests in the house. And as it turned out to be the best thing to sit down and discuss things. If we don't do it, we can  just guess what's in the other's mind ... It's all done. And we're all became more degage.



Around noon we were on Gran Via. Nadia went out before us to take place on the road. This week was Corpus Christi, Tarasca and Feria (June 10-18). The religious celebration is complemented by a one-week festival.
Many people are reminded me of Semana Santana, but this holiday is with more fiesta and it is more cheerful. There are two procession in this case. It was one on Wednesday. Tarasca. First we saw the mounted police ( I hope this is the right name of the police with horses :D ) and everyone was excited to see the special female figure on the dragon. Of course, the giant puppets, shapes and the fantastic festival music could not miss.



With Didi we have already observed that they regularly clean the streets, paying attention to cleanliness. It was immediately apparent even after the ceremony. It didn't take 10 minutes after the parade and the rubbish was cleaned ... Julia later explained that this is mostly due to the tourists and most of all in the city center, as we are going to  the suburbs is different.

In the afternoon we chose which pictures, videos we would like to use for our video about the Alhama training.



In the evening we visited Feria. Nadia told us a lot about Tarasca and Feria, but somehow our belief was a romantic little event. Many flamenco dancing, etc. We were disappointed, but of course it was bittersweet disappointment. The location is close to the bus stop, which is 20 minutes from our house. Almanjáyar district. It's easy to walk, if you can call it easy walk because even the thermometer showed only 28-30 degrees around 11 o'clock, I still felt that my body flames: D

And when we saw what this big show was ... First we got a sight of an amusement park, then we hurried to the high-lighted door. A lot of people. Flamenco dresses. We wanted to buy one, even in the second-hand shops can be found. But the price it wasn't so cheap in that time. But maybe now, after Feria. We were impressed by the sight. One part is full of casetas, where you can eat, drink and dance. Every tent has a different mood. The other part is a huge amusement park. Mostly games for kids, but of course we have found some for us. We also ate a stuffed churros, which we didn't like so much because of its excessive sweet taste. But it was fine. This time we didn't stay too long, but we decided that we would definitely go back.



2017.06.15 Thursday
On this day, the second procession took place. Of course, it was difficult to move again on the route. But we managed to get to the cathedral. And of course we didn't miss the opportunity to look at this glorious building again from within. For me, even from the inside, it is breathtaking. The parades also came here. We did a little detour to Bib-Rambla Square where we viewed the published special comments. One week before Corpus Christi, Carocas, a traditional satirical competition will be held.
Carocas cartoons humorously highlight the most important local and national events held during the year. These poems, comments are placed on large panels.
Then we returned to the cathedral. More and more people. I decided to stay a little longer. It was the end of the procession and I could sit without huge crowd.






We made the video in the afternoon. We split up the parts, we experimented with music under cover, with effects, but the finishing part is still waiting or us ...: D

We planned to go to the party tonight, but we stayed home and we discovered the word of  Bulgaria and  Hungary. Then at 12 o'clock, we decided we need some sweets and we had to go out on the street for ice-cream and biscuits. We said again how lucky we are to live near Calle Elvira, practically in Albaicín. Ohoo, and I do not have to say, in fact, as a part of the World Heritage site, because Albaicin is part of the World Heritage with each and every house, so we are among the lucky ones who can experience this special feeling: D

Traditional Bulgarian house

06/16/2017. Friday
On Friday we were not too active during the day. In the even in Harri and Nicola arrived from Mid-term training, and although they were tired, they didn't want to miss the experience of the feria. We met there. Tilda came with them. We had a lot of fun. We danced and enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere. Then we went to the part I called just a fun park. Harri went home with the other volunteers, so we stayed four of us. Didi and Nico first went to this miracle ...We left this with Tilda
: D



But the big giddy- go -around was interesting for us, too. It was very exciting. It is fearsome at the same time, but it is so exciting. It was totally worth it for the sight and the experience.
After that we could not have missed a good little kebab, but of course it wasn't the same from our favorite kebab place from Calle Elvira: D Nico and Tilda went by taxi, and we waled home.





06/17/2017. Saturday
That day was really about relax. I went on to prepare a short presentation about Hungary, Kaposvár, Compass for the pre-departure training. I did a little yoga, skype and the sun was already gone.

Next week, there will be the festival meeting and a meeting with the 15 Spanish youngsters, who will go to Kaposvár. But one after the other. Mañana, mañana, mañana: D

Videos, about this week also

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