In the streets of Kecskemet

Outside the studio in the streets of Kecskemet there is a vibrant international community thriving. The first week we took the city by storm and met some friends who we would continue socializing and learning with about the culture of Hungary as well as their native lands. Our pals Quentin Coltier and Ebe Link not only made time to show us around town, give us tips on socializing in the city, and came to support us at our show they also were transplants in Hungary. Through Quentin we got a taste of Franch culture and learned a great deal about skydiving and singing. Ebe balanced Quentin’s enthusiasm by helping us with our language skills and telling us about her native Estonia. Coming this fall I hope to be able to meet up with Ebe in Finland where I will attend the Anti Festival just a short ferry ride away from her hometown. From Kecskemet we met Niki, Paula, Alexa, Gabor, Krisztina, and many many more.

To all of our new friends egészségedre and terviseks! Thank you for making our time in Kecskemet so amazing!

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Our Town

We arrived in Kecskemet two weeks ago with jet lag and only half of our baggage. Now settling into the final week the ICS feels like home! I’ve spent a lot of time walking around our town and enjoying the people and the architecture. Here are some pictures of the buildings around and in the main town square.

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Road Trip!

We tend to think of distance between locations in America in terms of driving times so I decide to do a little research and how far away different cities are in relation to our home base of Kecskemet.  Granted, Europe has great train systems that are far more efficient ways to travel, there is nothing like a good old road trip, so hop in your tiny euro car and hit the road.

Driving Distances: (Brought to you by the good people at Google Maps)

Berlin, Germany:  968km (601miles), 9hrs 14mins.

Budapest, Hungary:  91km (56miles), 1hr. 7mins.

Paris, France:  1,572km (976miles), 14hrs, 48mins.

Barcelona, Spain:  2,007km (1,274miles), 19hrs 29mins

Rome, Italy:  1,314km (816miles), 12hrs 12mins

Stockholm, Sweden:  2,046km (1,271miles), 20hrs 38mins

Helsinki, Finland:  1,850km (1,149miles), 27hrs.

Athens, Greece:  1,391km (864miles), 15hrs, 41mins.

New Delhi, India:  8,313km (5,165miles), 105hrs.

Chernobyl, Ukraine:  1,227km (762miles), 15hrs 3mins.

Traveling to Budapest

I know some people we curious about visiting Budapest or other neighboring cities around Kecskemet.  I found this website (which can be read in english) that has travel opinions for relatively cheap!

HERE

Kirstie and my first 2011 European ground travel!

waiting for luggage

We have arrived in Kecskemet and it is beautiful and exciting, despite not having our bags. The International Ceramic Studio feels like an extraordinary place. Situated in the middle of Kecskemet with the city expanding out around us the studio offers a quite and peaceful enclosure. We have ordered our clay and we will begin working official tomorrow morning:)