Budapest Part 3

Before I finish my trip monologue...I thought I would tell you about our week :)

I had several things on the calendar this week, but that all went to the wayside when I got a call on Wednesday afternoon that the traffic school had a cancellation for a test time on Thursday at 12:20. You just don't pass that opportunity up! It can take months to get an appointment time! Plus, this way, there is only 24 hours of buildup instead of weeks (so nerve-wracking, like being 16 all over again!) So, I proceeded to cancel the 2nd of my "free" personal training sessions at the gym and my lunch plans so I could be there on Thursday. Okay, the next kink...Kyla comes in our room at 2:30 AM on Thursday morning...sick, fever...oh geez. She obviously won't be going to school and I am trying to figure out how to make it to my driving test. Bless his heart, Spencer's solution, just bring her to my office and she can stay with me and rest. And so, that is what we did.

Okay, not to be a freak about the cost of the driving stuff, and luckily we do get reimbursed for the majority of it, but...here it goes:

45 minute less with instructor - 600 NOK (x3 lessons)
"renting" the traffic school's car for test - 1800 NOK
Payment for taking the test - 860 NOK
Purchasing your official license when you pass - 240 NOK

Yes, I am serious!

So, back to Thursday...Kyla ate lunch with Spencer at his office and then fell asleep. When she woke up, her fever was gone and has not returned! YEA!!! She was back at school today (Friday) in time for the "Friendship" party and a birthday party after school.

As for me and my driving test, I would definitely call it a SUCCESS! I passed! The tester ended up being a super nice guy, friendly, chatted with me while I drove, and his comments, "...safe..., handles car well..., good road position..." His name was Hans Olav Haugersland (so Norwegian!) and I apparently got lucky, because rumor is there are a few grumpy testers! I should have my official license next week!

Today, I made up for my lunch cancellation yesterday and met up with Dan and Wendy in town for a delicious lunch at N.B. Sorensen's and then met up with a few other moms just prior to the 2nd grade party for a chat. Now, if finding the birthday party location was that fun and easy...NOT! Drove in circles for a while, but finally made it there after 2 stops at gas stations for directions. And, yes, I looked it up before I left and yes, I have been there before...I know, pathetic! Some things never change, like my lack of direction!

Okay, back to Budapest!

Sunday morning, we met up in the lobby just before 9 AM. Andrea (our tour guide, extraordinaire) was taking us to the Hungarian State Opera House for a tour of the inside! What a treat! Within the opera house is 7kg of gold leafing, 1261 seats (If I remember correctly), amazing craftmanship from the chandeliers to the painted ceilings to the carved wood and statues. Not only are operas performed there, but also ballets and concerts and such. From here we traveled by bus to an area known as the Citadell which has an amazing view of the city. We took some photo opportunities and Andrea told us some more about the history of Hungary and some personal stories of things she remembers from her childhood about her grandfather being a prisoner during WWII and his whereabouts being unknown for 3 years and then one day, he shows back up on the doorstep. The only way her grandmother recognized him was his eyes...Wow!

From the Citadell, we drove over to take a quick peak at Gellert Spa, one of the famous thermal baths in the city. We would end our tour at the other famous bath, Szechenyi. But, there was more to see and do! We headed over to the Jewish Synagogue for a personal tour where a local guide told us about the design and parts of the synagogue, shared the history of the Hungarian Jews, and explained the gardens and monuments there. It was very moving to see and hear about the persecution they faced for so many years and how the Hungarian Jewish population was decimated by the Nazis. One interesting tidbit, the two men in our group were required to don yamakas as a sign of respect while inside the synagogue. Outside is a a garden area and a statue called the "Tree of Life" with the leaves bearing the names of victims. This is built on a mass grave where hundreds of victims were buried. A very powerful memorial to say the least!

Our tour continued with a drive down Andrassy Avenue toward Heroes' Square. This is basically the main road through Pest and underneath Andrassy runs the subway line through the city. Behind Heroes' Square you find a large green area as well as the zoo, a circus show that runs year round, and the famed Szechenyi Thermal Bath. It so happened that on this glorious weather day, there was also an outdoor festival going on that basically seemed to be giving "three cheers" to pork! It was basically referred to as the "Pig Fest" and some people in the group stood in line for over an hour to get a taste and according to them, were well-rewarded!

Most of us chose to pay the entrance fee and go into the thermal baths for a while. The sulfur smell strikes you, but the water feels terrific! We tried the indoor pools, but also ventured outside to the large outdoor area. Some folks stayed much of the afternoon, but Celine, Darla, and I stayed about an hour and then decided to take the long way back and walk through the festival and back down Andrassy Avenue.

The festival was jam-packed! You could not have stirred them with a stick! We didn't stay there long due to the crowds, but did enjoy the sights, people, and music! We stopped to take more photos at Heroes' Square and began our journey back to the hotel. We stopped off at several places along the street, mainly a statue that represents the Iron Curtain coming down and just a few meters from there, a piece of the Berlin Wall.

The weather was so great, I actually carried my coat for most of the afternoon! We made it back to the hotel and freshened up a bit then sat in the lobby to chat with the others. Some of us ended up going back out to just a few little stores in the area, but before long, it was time for dinner. Everyone decided to dine together again at a place called Cyrano's. It was a white tablecloth kind of place with excellent food and service. I had a pork schnitzel dish that was excellent. We went back to visit at the hotel lobby after dinner and then about 11:30, some of us decided to take a stroll to the Chain Bridge one last time before our departure in the morning. The city is beautiful at night with all the lights!

Monday morning dawned clear and cool with lots of sun. We packed up, checked out, and headed for the airport. The only drama on the way home...10 of 13 of us missed our connection in Oslo because of a slight delay in Budapest, a short layover, and having to wait for our bags (you have to claim them and re-check.) It was lucky that we were all able to get on the next flight out just an hour later.

So, then it was back to the usual, but now with kids and spouses happy to see us!

Here are a few more pictures. If you want to see more of the pictures I took (still not all, but more) look on my Facebook!