And so it begins...

Today was the first day of school. But I did not teach. However, because my flat is attached to the school, I could hear the opening ceremony occuring in the gym this morning.

 At first, I was disappointed that they didn't really tell me to come, but after I realized that the gym was packed with sweaty parents, teachers, and students, I was a little relieved. I was told that I should prepare some lessons for today, so Laura helped me plan some introductory lessons for grades 1-8 as no one told me which classes I would be teaching. "We don't have your schedule ready yet," they told me apologetically. I panicked a little, but kept in mind that this is Hungary and this is the way things work. 

Luckily, when things work this way, it's easier to get away with murder. Turns out, I didn't have to teach at all. I had come in overprepared in my ironed khakis and white button-up with a picture book of Chicago and all of my lessons tucked into my black bag. I ended up getting my schedule, checking Internet, talking to some colleagues, and hearing contradictory advice, and then walking a few more feet back to my apartment without having taught.