Update on the Past Week

Friday, September 28

Today we went to Budapest. We loaded the van bright and early for the 2 hour ride. Tom had a doctor's appointment for his visa requirements. It went very smoothly, all is in order, and the packet is ready for our embassy appointment on Tuesday.

After business was taken care of, we had a free afternoon to enjoy the sights.

We walked down Vaci Street, ate lunch, and made our way to St. Stephen's Basilica. 

Similar to our hometown of Fargo-Moorhead, which has 2 cities (and states) divided by the Red River, Budapest also is 2 cities divided by the Danube River, Buda on one side, Pest on the other. While Tom's doctor's appointment this morning was in Buda, we spent the afternoon walking around in Pest. 

We made our way to the Hungarian Parliament Building (which helps me remember Parliament Building is in Pest). It was closed. We will have to return next week when we finalize everything because there just is not enough time to do it all anyways.

(The sun was bright in their eyes)

We walked back to our meeting point along the Danube River, walking under - what I now call - The Bridge Will Smith Danced On. (I wanted to bust out a "Keke, do you love me?" but I managed to hold it together.)

We also walked by the Shoes on the Danube Bank. I had read about this site in a tourist book, but never imagined it would touch me so much. The shoes are incredibly life-like. It is very moving to see and imagine what tragedy happened on these very banks.

We then met our faithful driver at the meeting spot and headed back to Balatonfeyves.

Thursday, September 27 
Wednesday, September 26

The boys and I played all morning and afternoon so that Angel could work. We made forts, blew bubbles, played with balloons, ran around outside, and did sidewalk chalk. Since we took 2 morning trips on Monday and Tuesday and will travel to Budapest on Friday, the boys and I enjoyed a slower pace these 2 days.

Tuesday, September 25

Today we rode the train (about 1 hour) to Siofok, the largest town on Lake Balaton. We walked around for an hour or 2 and went up the city tower to enjoy the beautiful views.

Monday, September 24

The train ride to Fonyod was about 8 minutes. We walked around and the boys played on the playground. The wind was intense. We saw several people wind surfing. It was a quick morning trip over and back to get us out of the house for a bit.