Not Worried, but Definitely Concerned

My daughter is spending the semester in Budapest, Hungary. She's been having a wonderful time, and boldly experiencing everything from porcelain to Transylvania. If you're interested, visit her blog, Hungary Heart. Everything has been going wonderfully.

Until tonight, on her way home from dinner, she encountered mobs of excited people. Right-wingers are rioting and clashing with the police. Tomorrow is the 51st anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution. Let's hope things calm down instead of escalate.

I'm not really worried - she's a smart kid, and part of a well-run, responsible program. And, while I'm concerned, I'm happy she's over there, seeing everything - even this.

(Update: I chatted with her this morning, and she's studying at a friend's apartment further away from the center of the action. Her own apartment is in the heart of everything. She's more concerned about her History midtown than she is about the riots, though she might stay away from her apartment for the day.)

Hungary Heart

Those who know me and my circumstances would be justified in expecting one of my maudlin, ruminative postings today. In a few hours, we'll drive to the airport so Ali can begin her journey to Budapest, Hungary, from which she will not return until the eve of Christmas Eve. It's been a great summer with her, and I've enjoyed having her around. I'll miss her horribly.

But I'm not going to be weepy today. This is cool - this is joyful and outstanding.

Studying in Hungary for four months! She'll be surrounded by history and the present. She'll see the Danube River. She'll visit Romania and God knows what other countries I've always wanted to see. She'll taste foods, see sights, drink beers, hear music, meet people and live in an apartment in a city that was sealed off behind the Iron Curtain when I was her age. In so many ways, the world has opened up for her.

And few people I know are better suited to carpe this diem. Ali is wide-eyed but streetsmart. She attracts people with her wit, beauty and smile, but she's selective about who gets close. She's adept enough in languages (state medalist in Latin!) to venture boldly into a country where the only native word she knows is Hungarian for "beer". (She may look like her mother, but I've had my own influences . . .)

So, bon voyage, sweetheart. Living abroad will teach you lots about yourself and the world. I'll check your new blog regularly. You'll be absolutely brilliant in Hungary, and I'm thrilled you have this opportunity.

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way