The Driver and Hungarian Border

Today was a good day. Skies were blue, sunko (sun) ☀️ out. I’m becoming a local in this small town, as I saw the Canadian teacher on the way to school this morning. Had three units with a hockey 🏒 player guy, which went very well. He was eager to learn new vocabulary; then I fumbled a bit and got nervous when I was being observed at the last unit. In the meantime Luise “Mrs. Pokorny” called me on my break and said they didn’t get my e.m. (Email).

The Driver and Hungarian Border

I waited at school (Berlitz) until 12:30 when the driver took me to the Hungarian border (to renew my Slovak visa, I had to cross over the border and back). First he had to drive Chris to the dentist and move Mark and Arya to their new flat). Meanwhile, I had the discussion with Mark as to Shakespeare being the Earl of Oxford. Overwhelmingly convincing, I must say.

Driving to the Hungarian border only took 20 minutes. Arya didn’t go – he’s 90 days past due (on his visa). He’s teaching Spanish to the girlfriend of the hockey 🏒 guy – she is pregnant – and apparently the daughter of the wealthiest man in Kosice. She was out this a.m. with morning sickness and Arya flaked out too.

At the Hungarian Border

Once out of town, we drove down a (bare grey) tree-lined street, through some fields, over the Orahd? River, to the Hungarian border. Just on the Slovak side, there were trucks lined up for about 1/4 mile, and only one car 🚗 going over. I felt a bit nervous, and decided to play the role of the dumb American wanting passport stamps. The first window looked at it (my passport); asked me how I was going (by foot); and gave me a stamp.

Then I proceeded, without realizing that I had walked right past the Hungarian border agents, as one uniformed patroller came chasing after me. I explained, apologized, and gave them my passport, asking kindly for a stamp. Then I had to turn around and walk back out the other side, and also request a stamp. No problem.

The Driver’s Wife

I walked back to the car, he picked me up, and we resumed our pointing, deciphering, and naming conversation. I had earlier mentioned Rodina and Kolache. He was all smiling, and asked if I would like “café and kolacky” pointing at the cell phone. He called his wife and happily drove us to his apartment. There were so many huge block apartment buildings where he (and Arya and Jason live) it was amazing, a mini-city.

His wife was there, it smelled so good, fresh baked. She made coffee and tea, and we ate Küchen (cake). Their flat is very nice inside, as he had explained earlier. I’ve learned more Slovak from him than anyone else. Isn’t that funny. At school he’s always so professional, polite, proper, and quiet. I don’t think anyone else talks to him except the staff. His wife is taking Economics at the university (like Ivana) one day a week for eight hours. The program goes five years and she is in her second year. She speaks a fair amount of halted, apprehensive English.

Back at Berlitz

About 15:00 we had to get back to school (Berlitz). I walked to town until my 14:15 class with Olga from the Ore Company.

After class I was waiting around to go to the 19:00 concert, but got talking to Yanka in the office. She was offering a load of information on life before the revolution, so I opted to stay and listen to her perspective (which will also be documented). Here’s what she shared.

I saw my chickadees 🐤 The Newman’s, and made classroom convo with them during break. Then headed home and gave Luise a call. They never got my em (email), so I wrote them a letter and expressed my feelings in the matter (of moving to China with them). I wanted to be sure they are certain, but it sounds like they are, as she (Luise) told me they’d have to hire someone anyway. So I told them I won’t make any plans after end June/first July.

Wednesday 18 March, 1999