We did it! We all pulled together for the final home match last Wednesday to become the hungarian national champions. The highlight of the match was when the coach of Vasas got kicked out in the third set, perhaps as an effort to give his team a little momentum, but it backfired. We won the fourth set 25-12. It is important to know that our hand signals do not mean we are telling the photographer good job. Instead of using our first finger to sign for first place, we are using our thumbs.
When the match was finished, it was picture time. We stood in a line and received our gold medals and the team trophy. The Hungarian national anthem was played as well as the Hungarian championship anthem: "Szegeny Vagyok." I call this the championship anthem because we played it before and after every game in the championship. It is supposed to be lucky although it really means "I am poor."
After hours of dancing and a food fight, we changed out of our clothes that were now covered in champagne and strawberry icing. The gym floor looked like such a mess, once again. I'm sure the janitors hate their jobs by now, especially after cleaning up the sticky champagne covered confetti.
The after party started at the panorama hotel. When we got there, the band started playing our favorite "Szegeny Vagyok" and the dancing started up again.
After what seemed like hours of gypsy dancing, we took a break to eat some food. They brought out these platters staked high with fried meat and cheese and salad.
After the food was all eaten, another round of dancing began. This dancing is not any American style that I have ever seen, but almost as fun. It involves a lot of spinning and clapping and singing.
We took a short break to enjoy this incredible cake ands then kept going- some had a little more energy than others.
Ivana and I with Misi, the head oath. He must have done something right to help us win the championship.
The next day, Ali, Ivana, and I spent a relaxing day enjoying the city. We ate together at Speed Burger- it's one of my favorite places.
Friday night was the ceremony at the city cultural center. They had a really nice program for us there. They called us up to the stage one at a time and asked us all a question. The question they asked me was: "Was it worth it?" Without any hesitation I said, "Oh yeah!"It took a lot of work to get here and there is no doubt in my mind that every moment was worth it.
After they called our names, they presented us all with a sash and a trophy with our names written on them. Then the team was given another big trophy. We spent the next hour or more signing things for the fans. We really have some awesome, dedicated fans here.
Then we took the party to a different bar. This party was a little more relaxing than the last.
On Saturday night, the Bekescsaba men's soccer team honored us at the beginning of their game by giving us a flower or two or fifteen (in Ali's case).
Saturday was also the ward concert. Sister Smith has been teaching members of the ward to play the piano and this was their chance to show off their hard work. Sister Smith and I threw together a last minute song to play at the concert even though I wasn't technically a student. I had a great time playing with Sister Smith.
I introduced Richie and his sister, Kitti to American pancakes.
Making an apple pie was an adventure. I haven't tried making a pie crust without shortening before. I was afraid it was going to be a complete failure, but Richie helped to fix the dough with his "pasta" experience. (The word for dough and pasta is the same in Hungarian)
The pie was a success and we ate it at the Smith's house for dinner. These people have been filling in for my family for the past couple months. I love our Sunday dinners together.
The missionaries introduced me to the Monday Morning "Black Friday" at the second hand store. I spent my last morning in Bekescsaba waiting outside with all the other nene's and then rushed in with them at 8. People come from all over the city and some even from outside the city that come every week to this event. You could tell who the experienced shoppers were because they brought these massive body bags and would sort through the bins of clothes at superhuman speeds and still find everything they wanted. We did find some really unique clothes. The sisters have appropriately named it the "DI Black Friday."
I went to Cafe One with Zsuzsanna and Zoltan to have some of the famous tasty cakes. Zsuzsu also introduced me to some of her homemade kolbasz. I won't ever be able to look at American sausage the same.
The final "aiop" with the team. These girls are all really great and work hard every day at practice. The junior team has their tournament this weekend.
One last FHE: We had an epic game of water balloon volleyball.
I left békéscsaba early Tuesday morning and I am now in Qatar waiting for my flight to Dallas. I'm so grateful for all the friends I made in Békéscsaba that have made every moment worth it!
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