Budapest, Hungary

June 2015 began with more adventures...

1st stop: Budapest, Hungary

Welcome to Magyarorszåg...better know as Hungary.

Day One started the trip off in an AWESOME way: General S called the hubs personally to congratulate him and notify him that he'd been selected for Lt.Col.  

So proud of my handsome hero!

After starting off the week in a wonderful way, we explored the city a bit before the hubs had to be at work.  We rode a boat down the Danube River, explored the Basilica and watched the changing of the guard at the palace.

Parliament

The changing of the Guard

Heroes' Square 

Since this was a work trip, the dandelions and I were on our own most days, but Budapest was beautiful, clean, very family-friendly, had safe, easy transportation so we ate our way through explored the city and had a great time.

We took the kids to the famous Szechenyi Bath one day.  We were actually not too wowed, but the kids enjoyed swimming.

The hubs got to do some fun diplomatic tours that counted as work, including a private tour of the Parliament building.

As we drove into Budapest, the kids immediately spotted the giant ferris wheel and begged daily to ride on it, so one day we spent the morning playing at a park and then took a ride.

Views from the ferris wheel

Eastern Europe is HOT in June; thankfully our apartment had AC.  It also had a lovely balcony and a view of the Basilica's dome.  It was just a couple blocks from Erzsebet Square, on the Pest side of the Danube, close to shopping, eating and everything we could want.  It was a wonderful week!

From Budapest, we headed home via Prague, Czech Republic.  On the way, we encountered our first Stau, which is a German term for major traffic jam.  Freeways in Europe aren't built with access roads or frequent exits, nor is there much of a shoulder built on.  This means that when there is an accident, the whole highway stops...for HOURS.  

So, the kids got out and played soccer around the cars, people were socializing and no one seemed to mind very much.  Europeans don't ever appear to be in a hurry.  Next stop, Czech Republic...eventually...