A Summer in Europe...makes me what to stay forever!

That's it. I'm moving to Europe! (And I am really only half kidding...) Not now, but someday...

Following my time in Hungary that I left with great reluctance, I spent a fairly uneventful week in Switzerland. However, life could be much worse than being forced to relax in the Swiss countryside! Went to France for an afternoon, explored a castle, played a "cops and robbers" game in Neuchâtel, day trip to Lausanne, and other than that, lazed around, practiced a bit...and decided on my recital program for the spring! Stay tuned...we have a pretty exciting year ahead of us! ;)

Then, it was Croatia for the week. I am absolutely in love with Central Europe. I can't really explain what it is about it, but there is something that pulls at my heart and this feeling that comes over me whenever I am in that part of the world. 

There was ridiculous traffic going there, and we sat in standstill traffic jams for several hours. Nothing you can do about it....but it was quite funny to see a guy a couple cars ahead of us get out to smoke a cigarette, and then he had to start running because the line moved suddenly. Haha! Priceless!

Rocky beaches, exploring ancient ruins, visiting mummies in a church where the vicar kept asking things like how far away is Boston from where Oprah Winfrey lives and that he loved "Friends" with Monica and Chandler and Phoebe, winding roads that more resembled sidewalks, the scent of lavender everywhere, nighttime tour of the beautiful town of Labin where I also tasted the best olive oil ever, cave exploration, and getting hit on my every single waiter or male shopkeeper. Haha! 

Then there was the boat trip I decided to take to Rovinj... Gorgeous and relaxing...and then leave it to me to miss the boat to go back! Yes, that is my life. The misadventure turned into a pretty amazing adventure, though. I took a deep breath, said to myself that there must be a bus somewhere that will take me back, found the bus station, waited for a half hour to get a ticket, and then away I went. Two buses and two hours later, I had met a brilliant Polish guy, had great conversations, and was back where I needed to be. Gotta love traveling! ;)

Back in Switzerland now and off to Zurich on Monday for one last hoorah of exploring before I head back Stateside... Part of me says it is time to go home for awhile...and the other part of me does not want to leave this brilliant continent. How about we strike a deal, and I just go back to Hungary?? Pretty please? ;) 

Yes, I know...not practical...for now... Ha! Will I ever stop plotting international adventures? Highly doubtful. ;) 

So for now, I must get excited for another year in Boston with a lot of exciting hard work, diligence, and audition prep. The world is mine, and I cannot wait to see where else it takes me! (Plus, rumor has it, some people supposedly miss me... But that's just a rumor!) 

Until we meet, again, Hungary...

On Saturday morning, after an INCREDIBLE 3 weeks in my dearest place and a lovely final reception on Friday night, I had to say visontlátásra to Kecskemét, Hungary, my beloved teachers, and new friends. It is always difficult to tear myself away from there and the people, but we all know I will return, again and again. ;)

I am so happy I came here this summer. It was exactly what I needed and the best thing I could have done for myself. When I am in Hungary, everything is about the music. They inspire me to sing. To love. To find the joy. To be happy. To seek purposeful beauty. To be active, not passive. To be genuinely happy...and to let that shine through in my music. My time with János is always very dear to me, as well as my time with Roland, Éva, and Balázs. János left me with some wonderful words of encouragement and chats. Roland and I had many little philosophical chats and reminders to have patience with myself. Éva and Balázs may be the world's most phenomenal pianists! What a treat to work with them! And such kind-hearted people as well! Much laughter, some tears, incredible Hungarian meals and wine, beautiful people, living life with such absolute joy and effervescence, singing tons, and reinvigorating my musical spirit. Now, my task is to keep carrying that in my heart until we meet, again. 

I sang on both master classes and a special concert on the Kodály Art Festival for the city of Kecskemét. What fun! I also was involved in the making of a documentary, including a personal interview and singing for a short recording. The people I met in these past few weeks will be connected with me forever. I can feel it. So many connections and worldwide contacts were made. I can only imagine what the future has in store... ;) And János told me he knew I'd be back, again. Haha! He knows me too well! 

My time in Hungary included many afternoons sitting in the gorgeous little courtyard at the Institute, a beautiful private reception for the performers and professors after the last concert I sang on, dinners with new and old friends, many coffees and teas at Vincent's, being rained on by flowers from the Kecskeméti trees, playing on the slide in the middle of the town square, photobombing Georges Longy with Kodály/Liszt/Beethoven/etc., discovering the AMAZING works of Bozso, seeing "Despicable Me 2"...in Hungarian (haha!), phenomenal concerts nearly every night, meeting incredible people, breads and pastries from the best bakery in town, stirring up some craziness in Kecskemét with the documentary camera crew, Dave and Jockey, and an EPIC day in Budapest with my Irish friend Amy. 

Basically, we decided I should just be a personal tour guide because I only had to use the map maybe three times the whole day, I can speak some of the language, and I threw in silly little tidbits of info everywhere we went. Climbing statues and fountains, discovering new gems in the lovely city, "choose-your-own-adventure" to the Castle District, spending too much time and money in the music shops, palacsinta with ice cream and apricots that were definitely drenched in palinka, the most delicious pizza, visiting the labyrinth, almost getting locked in said labyrinth with Dracula, being paparazzi-ed by random tourists, coming up with ridiculous scenarios....the day just kept getting more awesome! :) 

Now, I am in Switzerland for the week at my friends' place near Neuchâtel. Missing Hungary...but with a view like this, I don't think I have much to complain about... 

(And my apologies for writing so little this trip...they kept me very busy in my course at the Kodály Institute! And I loved and lived every moment! Except for that 110* day...that was rough for all! But we survived!) 

My Heart Belongs to Hungary.

It's true. It is theirs forever. Nearly five years ago, I stepped foot on Hungarian soil, and since that moment, my heart has been taken by this beautiful and incredible corner of the world. Now, returning to this place, once again, I love it more and more with each moment. I think I would stay forever if I could. ;) No matter, I will return again and again. :)

I must apologize for, yet again!, neglecting this little page. I have been overwhelmed with beautiful moments and living life...documenting it has not been my strong point. (I must retract my statement about no airport trouble with The Hair, though...the U.S. let me go untouched. The UK, however, had a pat-down to hand out and questions to be had at customs! Ha! Ridiculous!)

Two days in Budapest and then it was off to Kecskemét. I was good about journaling in my new notebook...for about two days as well. And then I got so caught up in the moments that the journal was quickly left to collect a little dust. 

I spent my little weekend in Budapest reacquainting myself with my dear city. Wandering around Pest and discovering little gems. I got "lost" in this little music store on Museum korut for over an hour and finally just had to pull myself away to continue on my adventures! Found some lovely Hungarian musical jewels...and more to see if I can incover still in my time here! ;) 

I met up with Dr. M by the Opéra ház and was quickly whisked away to Liszt Ferenc tér to meet Her friend Lillla and her family. I never thought the day would come that I was meeting up with Dr. M...IN HUNGARY!!! So wonderful. Made new Hungarian friends, and we spent the good part of over two hours talking away. Such a treat! Lilla's husband is a composer, so we talked much about what about the music makes us love it so much. The whys, the whats, the hows, etc.  Lilla's daughter Beatrix and I then when to dinner and drinks and walked around for a bit. A bit of a late night, but it was fun! 

Sunday mornings in Budapest are among my favorite things, and I spent mine last week exploring over to the castle district. A beautiful morning climbing steps, meandering about, chilling with my buddy Zoltán (the Kodály statue...teehee!),  met a lovely older British couple, and then found my way to sipping cappuccino and eating apple strudel. Yum! And I may have already bought two new scarves... ;)

After all that, it was off to Kecskemét to hang out with Kodály for "real"...

I love this place. Feels like another "home" to me. :) It may have been five years, but it felt like I picked up right where I left off. Yes, I have grown in incredible ways since then, especially musically. I remember everything, though, like it was yesterday...including where the yogurt was in the grocery store. (Yes, that is a little weird. Haha!) And as for language, my Hungarian skills quickly came flooding back, and I have begun building upon them more and more each day. :) I so wish I could be fluent one day. 

This first week has been absolutely beautiful. János apparently didn't know I was coming till Dr. M said something just moments before I met him in the hallway. What a beautiful surprise last Monday morning! :) That man is such an incredible teacher and musician, and I am so blessed to have a little more time with him this summer. :) A little scary how he remembers EVERYTHING about me! And one of the first things he said to me was that he watched my recital online! What?! Then, of course, he proceeded to tell me everything he liked and didn't like about it. Total honesty.  Wouldn't have it any other way, János! ;)

I have daily lessons with him and also daily coachings with the BRILLIANT pianist Balazs and also with Roland, the chamber coach from my days here before. Balazs is seriously incredible. Such a kind, gentle soul and a genius. I think I overwhelm him, though, with my bubbliness and continuous questions. He cracks me up, too...one day in a coaching I was late on the beat after a high note, and he turned to me and said, "Don't be a good soprano....be a bad one and be on time!" Haha! Too perfect. Roland seemed pleasantly surprised to see me, too. I do not believe he expected me, either. It is fun to surprise people like this...person they least expect to randomly show up. Love it. ;)

It's been an intense week of singing, a little tired, but loving my moments with these wonderful Hungarians. Singing in a masterclass on Tuesday evening, so I have quite a bit of work ahead of me still. You know that philosophy to always be prepared? So true. Because I am programmed to sing something I never intended to coach here...until János asked me to bring it in. Oh, boy! Nothing like a crash course and pulling together that "professional soprano" bit. (P.S. Travelling as a singer is probably one of the coolest things ever. Just saying. Teehee!)

Amidst all this beautiful music, I have also been soaking in Hungary. Strengthening my Hungarian, make the most of everything, eating way too much delicious food, discovering new jewels in this town, "living," again, in my dear Hungary...and going to see Despicable Me 2 in Hungarian. Let me tell you, it was still hilarious! And, of course, causing a bit of ruckus in Kecskemét! Wouldn't be me if I wasn't! ;) 

Oh, and I cannot forget to mention my awesome new Australian friend James. What a hoot! He and I are some sort of kindred spirits because we are both crazy, bubbly, overly imaginative, and basically just a couple of 5-year olds in adult bodies! He is absolutely brilliant, and we have had many lovely conversations and hopped off for ice cream together after he observed a lesson of mine. 

The new week began with a rest day on Sunday, including a beautiful Sunday morning stroll to the Bozso museum. I have a new favorite artist now. Seriously, his paintings are phenomenal. Such beauty of light and shadow. 

The darling ladies working at the museum spoke only Hungarian, so that meant more practice for me! I somehow ended up very roughly being the translator between English and Hungarian. I find this language like a fun little puzzle. It is like a game to me to try to figure it out. After our wonderful tour, we sat talking to the ladies for a short while, and then the one that had been our guide through the galleries showed us the way to the actual church from the one painting I absolutely fell in love with. Adventure time! So cool! ;) 

 

What this next week has in store? The world only knows.... Muhahaha! I'm excited to discover all of its beautiful moments, however.