First weekend in Budapest

Yesterday my plan was to buy a monthly ticket for metro and meet couple other BME-newcomers and that is exactly what I did. First we went to eat lunch with one french and one swedish-speaking finn. It was nice and the lunch with contained a soup and main meal cost just about 3 euros!! After the lunch we went to see the University and for a long walk in the centre of Budapest. After that I came to my flat and decided to try Margaret Islands jogging possibilities and they were nice surprise! There was 5 kilometre long line which was made of the same material than in athletic tracks.

After that we went again in the centre of Budapest for a dinner and in addition to noon, there came  one german and spanish guy, and one french girl and a guy. That was nice and place was quite fancy, though food was still quite cheap. For about 10 euros we get great meal(I took chicken breast with bacon and rise) and a good beer. After dinner we went for a couple of beers and to meet other newcomers in Limitbar. It was ordinary bar and I didn't like the place much. Well yes, beer was cheap(though not very good) and it was very nice to talk and see new people. And outside there was quite nice terrace where I was most of the time. But the thing why I didn't like the place was that there was music very loud(though even no dance floor, so what for was the music??? ) and some weird guy talking to microphone all the time so we couldn't even listen it if we would have liked to.

Overall it was a very nice day and I met couple guys whom which we are going to play football if we get the chance. 

Today I slept long and after lunch at home I went to find a gym and decided to go to Brill fitness 'cos its less than 5 minutes walk from my flat. Month costs 11500 HUF which is about 35 euros. The gym is nice and only downside there is that there isn't hack press and some more back training machines would also be nice. 

Tomorrow it is the first day at school and only program is Registration at 1pm and after that meeting the 'mentors' and others in the group.

First day in budapest

Arrival
I arrived yesterday to Budapest. Unfortunately the flight was more than one hour late and I was at my front door after half past eleven in the envening. It wasn't nice for my landladys mother who has to be waiting for me to arrive. She was kind and gave me the keys and show me how to lock my door etc. She left so quickly that I just managed to thank her though at that moment I forgot how to say it in hungarian. Hope I remember it and quite many other words and phrases soon! I used AirportShuttle to go to my flat. Its kind of a taxi, but it takes 8 people in and drops everyone in their own destinations. Of course the destinations are quite near each other or at least on the way. I think it was nice. I also talked with one swedish couple little about their 'father' system in Sweden where usually this 'father' helps from the beginning to settle down in the country. I have just got couple days ago an email from my mentor. I will meet her and the other mentors Monday when the school starts.

Today
t waked up and cooked coffee. Thought about things I will need in my 4 month stay: bicycle, bed sheet, towel, mobile account/hungarian sim card and went shopping. The shopping center West end City Center is just half kilometre away of my flat. I bought the sim card first and then went to buy sheets and towel. First I got little problems in trying to get the sim card and the mobile internet working. The staff at T-mobile was very kind and helpful though some times we had problems each other understanding other one. At last we get everything working :)

Then it was time to eat at home and after that go to buy a bicycle! ;) I checked this place Bikebase first at the internet and then went there. It was also near just like a kilometre away. The staff there was also great and we talked also with one other customer(an israeli girl). I bought an italian F. Moser road bike of which I am very exited. I have dreamed of a bike like that! It cost about 270 euros which was a little more than I thought before but I think that is so great I maybe take it with me to Finland.

After I get the bike I went for a little drive to the University. It was great I can ride almost the whole way there in a bicycle road side of the river and it took less than 30 minutes. There was also some show and lots of people watching it on the way the BME.

After I get home I phoned couple Skype calls to my girlfriend and family. Quite good day!

My precious 

On a way to home from Uni from a bicycle lane at Buda side

My home for 4 months

Tomorrow I will check about the public transport and probably go and get a monthly card to gym nearby. I am also hoping to meet tomorrow some of the other newcomers for a beer or coffee

Gaselli Going Budapest

Thoughts I had couple days ago now on video. I might do couple vlogs if I will have time and enthusiasm to film one.

Preparation for the life in Budapest

There have happened a lot since last post. I have done registration to BME and to the courses I am going to take. This system via it is done NEPTUN isn't perfect for example it doesn't work at Chrome-browser. Though it is easier to use than LUT equivalent Weboodi because the course search and it has Class-schedule itself. I registered for couple courses I'm not sure do I want to study but from earlier blogs of earlier Exchange students I have heard it is easier to enroll yourself for too many courses before semester than try to register late... Most of the courses 70% has to be mechanical engineering studies and now 22/28 credits is from the faculty of Mechanical Engineer. Courses I will take and the number of credits each:

	Heat Transfer 4
	Energy Processes and Equipments 5 Diffusion Processes 2 Air-Conditioning 4 Communication Skills - English 2 Combustion Technology 4 English for Engineers 2 Environmental Management of Energy 2 Pedagogy (Digital Pedagogy) 2
	My class schedule: not much at the end of the week ;D

I also have now sign my rental agreement which was a lot more thorough I would never guessed. It seems fine and I will get the keys first evening I arrive Budapest 28.8. Yes, I also bought flight ticket to Budapest. One way.. ;) It wasn't much cheaper to buy two-way ticket and I don't know for sure when I will come back but most likely the exams for foreign students will be before Christmas so I will be home by that. Nevertheless I will come home for Christmas.  If exams are at January, it will make life a bit trickier because I wouldn't have the apartment and I have plans to travel South-Korea after Christmas etc...

Today I visit at the Insurance Company and checked about my travel insurance. It includes the liability or third-part-insurance if I accidentally for example water damage at the apartment I am renting. It also includes insurance for legal cost if I get in trouble with my landlord. Only problem is that every month after being 3 months abroad I need to buy an extra month which costs almost the same than the travel insurance for year if you aren't abroad more than 3 moths at one time. So I will either buy the extra month or visit Finland for one weekend before December.

Yesterday was my last day at work this summer so I will have two weeks vacation and enjoy my last moments at Finland for this year. Almost everything I need to do before leaving I have done, only to try to spend time with friends and relatives. Unfortunately the time will probably be too short to see everyone I would like.