Baggage limitations

Most International flights on US airlines limit travelers to two 70 pound bags checked through to the destination, and two carry-on bags (one being a small pack, the other a slightly larger bag to be stowed in the overhead compartment).

Saturday I'll be flying Malev Hungarian Airlines from JFK to Budapest. According to the airline's website, travelers can only check one 20kg (44 lb) bag), and carry-on one 10kg (22lb) bag. This is severely limiting what I can take for a three months trip that includes the need for daily professional clothing (button down shirts, a suit coat and dress pants) in addition to routine travel clothes.

I've tried calling Malev's JFK phone number with no success. American (the carrier for my flight from O'Hare to JFK) says whatever rules Malev has for international flight will apply to my flight out of O'hare.

So, I've packed on bag to the hilt, and I'll see what happens when I get to checkin. Worst case scenario: Cori drives home with a car full of clothes and either 4-6 weeks later a Parcel Post shows up in Szolnok with the rest of my stuff, or I hit the shopping mall in Budapest.

The Apartment

Today I received pictures of the apartment in Szolnok where I'll be living for the next two and a half months. Laszlo, the principal of Varga (the nickname for the school at which I'll be teaching) has done the leg work to get me an apartment near the school. He says it's about a 3 minute walk away.

The living room with a nice desk to prepare my lessons

Look, a TV! I wonder if there's any English programming?

Here we see the sleeping area of the flat. Notice the radio, and wall mounted reading lamps!

Here's the front hallway. I'm not sure what's in the room ahead or on the right.

I think this is a washing machine, but I'm not sure. I'll let you know when I get there.

Did you notice the ashtrays everywhere? Perhaps smoking isn't disdained in Hungary the way it is in the US.

My travel plans call for Cori and me leaving Beaver Dam late Friday morning, headed for Chicago. Once there, we'll have a last supper (that sounds ominous) together before I fly out around 8 the next morning. From Chicago I fly to JFK in New York where I arrive around 11:30. Then around 5:30 I depart for Budapest. I'll arrive there around 8:30 Sunday morning (Budapest time; In Beaver Dam it will be 1:30 AM).

The Hungary Traveler eats at his Beaver Dam kitchen. Is that goulash?

Here we sit

One week from now I'll be somewhere over Western Europe as the sun rises off the horizon ahead. Three months in a foreign country await: teaching Hungarian high school students, interacting with local people and integrating into society. No doubt I feel excitement at the thought of it all, but that's tempered with fear and anxiety. Three months away from my wife; three months of seeing new faces and new places.

For now, I'm focused on preparation: planning, purchasing, packing. "Should I take five pairs of dress pants or just a couple and purchase a few more when I arrive?" These questions loom today. I can imagine a time not too far in the future when they'll seem trite, yet understandably important at the time.

One thing is for sure: with a laptop and a digital camera, I'll be posting my fair share of pictures on this blog.

So, make this a regular stop of yours through the end of June and don't hesitate to leave your thoughts.

Szia!