So we sprint, down 4 flights of stairs and down into town. Unshowered, slightly groggy, and on the verge of an asthma attack (Insanity workouts have NOT helped with my running apparently) we got to the buss stop just in time.... for no bus to come. For whatever reason our 6:21 bus still wasn't there at 7, and seeing as our train from Schiebbs (the closest train station to us) left in 50 minutes, we were desperate to get there. Thumbs up, we stood on the road praying we'd get a ride. First car.. doesn't stop. Second car... turns the other way. Then a car stops, and the woman looks in her back seat and realizes it is FULL of stuff and drives away. We're cold, and we really want to get to Budapest so we wait and the next car comes up. MC goes to the window about to ask if the driver speaks English when all of a sudden we recognize her! It's one of our Professors! We hop in and get a quick ride to Schiebbs and make our bus in perfect time!
After not too long of a travel day we arrive in Budapest and look for the Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Did I mention we were staying in their house for free for the night? After a joyful meeting Sister Michelle (from America) and the native Hungarian Sister Audrey we hopped on the Metro and they took us to a cheap sandwich place near the Castle and St. Mathews Cathedral.
They told us all about their Order and how they got started. They dont' actually wear the traditional habits you think of when you think of Religious Sisters. Because they were started during the war they couldn't wear their habit and when their order was approved, the Bishop told them he would love if they would stay in their uniform dress because it was what God needed them to be. They wear long khaki skirts with white blouses and a silver pin with the Sacred Heart of Jesus on it and they all keep their hair no longer than their ears.
Anyways, we stood out on this overlook right by the Presidents Residential Apartment (which was interesting because we as Americans assumed there would be more security, but you could practically stand two feet from the building and all that was stopping you was a chain rope.) and we could see the city stretched out along the Danube. Across the river was the Buda side of Budapest and the HUGE Parliament Building stood tall against it's bank. I loved that building It was glorious looking. We walked down to the river crossed it and by this time the sun was setting (3:30pm!!).
So, with a little confusion we walked through 'the night' to an Advent Mark. Seriously... CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND! It was right in front of the Cathedral of St. Stephens and there was a giant tree and it smelled like hot wine and i bought candied almonds and we wandered with eyes wide like children through the stalls of baked goodies and home made keepsakes. The sisters bought us this swirly bread which was DELICIOUS and then they rushed us off to yet another Advent Mark, which if you can believe it was even more awe inspiring than the first!! They gave us ten minutes and we wandered through the stalls again, overwhelmed by the Christmas Spirit. When we met back under the big tree, they gave us star stickers for being prompt and on time.. I didn't receive one.... I got a little lost in the Christmas wonderland...
We made our way to the suburbs of Budapest where the Sisters lived. There house was so sweet! Upon entering they gave us each a pair of 'house slippers' and gave us a quick tour of their house.
The little chapel (YES A CHAPEL in their house! they live with Jesus, makes sense cause he is their husband), the classrooms these use to teach the kids in town, their kitchen, living room, and great book shelves! They prepared dinner for us, and we met the third Sister who lives there in Hungary, Sister Shannon. There are only around 45 sisters in total, so a very small order. They made us a traditional Hungarian meal of eggs and potatoes and sausage and delisiousness, we couldn't eat enough!! We laughed and shared stories of our travels in Europe. We talked and talked and talked for what seemed like hours. Then it was time for evening prayer, in their chapel of course. Afterwards, Sister Shannon asked Sister Michelle if she had told us about Morzsa, their pet HEDGEHOG! So with that exciting news, they woke up 'The Little Crumb' (in English) and we got to hold her and watch her run around and feed her live worms. It was quite entertaining.
Then the Sisters decided to go to bed, but they left us their guitar and told us we could use it and the chapel as late as we liked. So I played a bunch of praise and worship songs and the 4 of us girls just prayed for a while. Falling asleep content and full of yummy food, we awoke when the Church bells (located 10 feet from the house) went off at 7am. They didn't just chime though, they went off for 3 minutes straight! We rolled out bed and got ready for Mass. Mass was in Hungarian and it was FULL OF CHILDREN. There were at least 50 kids their and they sat on cushions all in the main aisle. During the consecrations they were each given a bell which the obediently would ring when the Priest raised up the body and blood. It was so sweet!
After Mass Sister Audrey took us down the street to a beautiful Pastry shop and told us to pick out any dessert we wanted for after lunch. After asking many 'what is in this one' he headed back to the house for yet another Hungarian home cooked meal and good conversation.
Unfortunately after lunch it was time for us to head home (unwillingly for sure). We told the Sisters good bye and a 'köszönöm' (the one Hungarian word we learned while there, Thank you) which is pronounced coosh-ah-numb.
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