hai mươi hai.

This is the second year where I celebrated my birthday abroad; last year was in Việt Nam. Having a birthday overseas is really special and exciting because you really do not know what to expect. Although it would have been great to have spent it with family, my twenty-second here in Budapest was still spectacular.

The dorm gang went to dinner at Pink Cadillac, this Italian place on Ráday Útca, near our dormitory. I ordered a Dreher beer and Risotto d'Occa -- goose liver, cheese, and rice. For the past couple of times eating at this restaurant, I have ordered risotto. Probably not as tasty as risotto in Italia, it still satisfied my stomach. After chit-chatting away, the clock hit quarter to ten, fifteen minutes before my meeting at Szimpla, a really bohemian type pub here in Budapest, with who knows how many Erasmus students.

Earlier that day, I texted messaged everyone I had on my contact list in my cell phone to meet at around ten at night for my birthday. As I arrived, there were about ten to fifteen people. As the night grew on, more and more started to emerge. It was really great to see everyone come out and wish me a happy birthday. My friend Bianca presented me with a gift wrapped in hot Hungarian women wrapping paper, inside two potato chip bags --paprika flavour and onion flavour. Others presented me with birthday shots and sors.

Following these generous gifts, there was spillage onto the table, into a glass, cup, and tea plate. My friends and I arrived back to the dorms later that night. I was sound asleep by one in the morning and the destruction began. I awoke at eleven the following morning, with half shaved eyebrows, shaved legs, and drawings over my body. O what fun. These are how birthdays are supposed to be as they say.

My twenty-second was a memorable one, with great company in a beautiful city. Who knows where I will be when I turn twenty-three.

Until next time.

Trần, Qúy Hạc