Last month I had the opportunity to attend the EASE General Assembly in Budapest, Hungary. At this event, our European partners who are SE trainers, association members, and organizers come together to vote on proposals drafted by members of the EASE community. One thing these colleagues share is a commitment to the deep democracy process, and this summer our Interim Executive Director and I were invited to see that process in action. The trip to Budapest afforded both a deeper insight into how EASE operates and a chance to enjoy the city with our European colleagues.
I had never been to Hungary before, and arriving a day early gave me a little time to explore Budapest. The Central Market Hall was one of my favorite spots both for the local food scene and for souvenir shopping. The upper floor of the market hall was a kaleidoscope of color – painted eggs, postcards, glassware, traditional embroidery – the perfect place to pick up souvenirs. On the ground floor were vendors specializing in various types of food – fruits, meats, and more varieties of paprika than I had ever seen before. For lunch I found a traditional pork dumpling with cabbage, paprika, and sour cream, and afterwards the kürtőskalács, or “chimney cakes,” caught my attention. Chimney cakes are a Hungarian specialty – the dough is rolled out into a rope and then wrapped around a cylinder for baking, resulting in a tall, visually striking cake. I tried one covered in dried raspberries and can recommend them with confidence to anyone visiting Hungary!
The GA officially started the following day, and this year, the participants reviewed more proposals than ever before. In spite of that, everyone came together with determination, patience, and a bit of humor to get the job done. After a series of lively discussions and democratic decisions, the evenings were spent enjoying the local scene.
I’d have to say my favorite sightseeing outing was an evening boat cruise our group took on the Danube, during which we got a spectacular view of the parliament building as well as several of Budapest’s distinctive bridges. It quickly became apparent that Budapest has a vibrant night life. One of the landmarks our boat glided past was the Bálna, a building offering riverside shopping and dining, and which gets its name from its whale-like shape. At night, the lights along the outside of the building flash in brightly colored patterns, making it impossible to miss from the water.
After the work of the GA had concluded, a group of us visited the opulent New York Café. I had been trying house-made lemonades at every opportunity, and in Budapest in the summer, the opportunities are many! The café’s New York Lemonade did not disappoint, and the live music we enjoyed while sipping our drinks was the perfect note on which to end the trip.
Throughout my time in Budapest, I felt a strong sense of gratitude for the opportunity to be present at the GA. The best part of my job is working with our organizers all over the world, and no matter how many times you’ve met someone over Zoom, it’s still a completely different experience to sit down to lunch with them at the same table. There’s a joyfulness and energy that comes with meeting someone in person for the first time. It was a powerful reminder that though we all come from different countries and cultures, we all share a belief in the healing capabilities of SE, which are so needed in today’s world.