For Goodness Sake, Eat Some Cake

Ooof. February is over. I’m sorry, but I can’t help but say, “Finally.” It was rough. February is carnival month for Hungary. It’s too cold and rainy for the fun outdoor activities that you might think must accompany a carnival. Here, the carnivals are celebrated in school. It has been interesting being part of a school that doesn’t have organized sports. Sports were a big part of my school experience. I miss it, but I can see how these celebrations in school take the place of the sports programs and instill school spirit.

Last week, I was chosen to be a judge for a dance competition at the school I work at. The different classes were given the task of choosing a country and performing a traditional dance from that country. The countries chosen included China, Hungary, Scotland, America and Hawaii… Well, Hawaii is part of America, but that was a small detail that we all ignored. It was a little nerve-wracking for me because the scoring was explained to me in Hungarian. I was also sitting by my headmistress, so I was afraid that if I scored the dances in a way she didn’t like, I would be doomed for all eternity.

It ended up being totally fine. The America group dressed up in cowboy outfits and, of course, did a jig to “Cotton Eyed Joe.” They won first place! I had the urge to chant U-S-A, but decided against it. Hawaii got second and China was third. Everyone had a great time and the dances were pretty good! I’ve noticed that when there is any sort of competition, the prize is always a big and beautiful cake. I don’t know what it is about cake here being so delicious, but it’s true. It isn’t unusual to stop by one of the many cake shops in Nyiregyhaza and enjoy a slice. Whenever a co-worker celebrates the birth of a niece or grandson, if there is a birthday or if someone won an award, anything, there is always cake in the teacher’s room. I’m not complaining.

Last weekend, I joined the other missionaries (all two of them), in Székesfehérvár. It’s a city to the south of Budapest. The weekend was dedicated to relaxation and reflection and was quite nice. The city center was full of historic buildings.

Székesfehérvár was the capital of Hungary in the Middle Ages. The Székesfehérvár Basilica was one of the largest basilicas in medieval Europe during St. Stephen’s reign, but sadly it is now leveled. This was where the king’s throne sat, where many diets were held, where many kings and queens were crowned and where fifteen rulers are buried. The name of the city means, “white castle of the royal seat.” The Grand Duke Géza established Székesfehérvár as his dwelling on the hills that were surrounded by swamps. This made his dwelling safe, along with the ditches, ramparts and walls built of soil. The town developed rapidly because it was part of the pilgrimage rout to the Holy Land and of several trade routs.

The Turks occupied the strategically important city in 1543 and kept it under their rule for 145 years. During their rule, many of the buildings were rebuilt into mosques. It was during their rule that the basilica was used as a gunpowder house and burnt to the ground by a lightning bolt.

In 1703, Székesfehérvár gained back its former title as a free royal city again. German and Moravian settlers populated the city, and under the rule of Maria Theresa, buildings took on Baroque, Rococo and Copf styles. Again, during World Ward II, much of the city was destroyed. One third of the city became uninhabitable and 8-10 thousand people were killed or reported missing. Despite these setbacks, buildings have been beautifully restored and museums pepper the town. Fortunately, we also experienced a couple days of sunshine, something I haven’t experienced in a while.

Those have been my experiences of late. Next weekend, I will be visiting the Brauns (other MCN missionaries) in Budapest. I will get to go to a church service in English! Please continue to keep all MCN missionaries in your prayers. You are certainly in mine!