Goodbye Budapest

Goodbye Budapest....

So classes are finished and university is complete... all that is left to do is to have some fun with the friends we have made along the journey.

Our friends in our flat hosted a leaving party for Kirsty, Kattie and I on our last night in the flat. We were really excited and it showed us how much they enjoyed having us with them as most students never stay up in the hostel at the weekend, (just like stranmillis!) So we said our goodbyes and had some cake which our friend made us. At the end of the night they gave us each a present and we headed to bed so sleep in our room in flat four for the very last time!

Sunday was our last day in Hungary and it was really difficult. We went to church at the international Baptist for the last time. This was really hard as it was here that I first felt at home in Budapest. The people had really cared for us and I made a lot of life- long friends, and so to go knowing I would not be back (at least for a very long time) was hard. After the service I hugged a lot of people and got lots of life advice from older friends! My pastor took me aside and prayed for my journey through life after my experience in Budapest...this put me to tears as I left for the last time!

On Sunday afternoon I was cooked dinner by friends in the flat and we spent our last few hours together. Kirsty, Kattie and I went to collect our luggage and lock up our room for the last time. We shared a few tears and then turned around to see a guard of honour to see us off!! The people in our flat had all stood outside their room and were standing waiting to say a final goodbye to us. By this stage we were all sobbing! Two of our friends, Ferenc and Reni, offered to take us to the train station and help us with our luggage. The train station was about an hour away and so this was very sweet of them to take us. I had become very close to Ferenc and Reni throughout my stay and so when we arrived at the station staying goodbye to them was awful!

So after a busy weekend and a lot of crying we got onto our overnight train to head to Warsaw, Poland.....

My Hungarian adventure was over, but it certainly was the best experience of my life and a decision which I would never take back. I met some very special people, and discovered things about myself which I would never had found out if not taken part in the Erasmus programme. I certainly would encourage more people to consider the opportunity.

All I have to do now is look forward to the next time I can visit Budapest! But for now I am heading for a new adventure around Europe before heading home to Northern Ireland.... so Warsaw, Prague and Paris, here I come!