Budapest then Home 10/26/08

                           Budapest




Budapessssssssssssh...................................... as in Buuuuuuuuuusssssshed!
Budapest marks the official end of the trip for most of the gang. The Hinch's and Kuri's are here for two extra days, were here for 5more and the rest of the gang heads home on the 22nd and are now home. Budapest is another great city. Very large. but easy to get around on via the underground. We pulled into the city in the early afternoon and headed straight for the "Covered Market" The gals did some shopping. Here the spice of the day was Paprika, so everyone rushed out to buy some. Considering the fact I have yet to go thru an entire can in our marriage, I feel we definetly over bought. While sipping a beer on the upper level. I heard some commotion, turned and saw this guy run by with what I later determined was a purse. And he was followed by 10 irate women. He managed to escape out of the building and thru the construction going on in the street. A bit of excitement!
After lunch at the covered market we were off for a little sightseeing. I have enjoyed the orientation but the historical facts we are deluged with is becoming a bit overwhelming. Once again, history paints a bleak picture for these Hungarians. First we have the Turks followed several years later by the Nazis and then the communists. Their one bright spot was in 1956 when they had the communists on the ropes for a short period of time. But it was much more than any other Easter European nations were able to do. The events of 1956 were commemorated all over the city a few days later on October 23rd when peaceful demonstrations were held all over the city. Even tho they were deemed "peaceful" we were advised not to go back into the main part of the city after dark.
Prior to the demonstrations and the departure of the Cole's, Gaughran's and Wite's we had a free day to explore the city. The weather has continued to cooperate but it is getting a bit cooler. No rain, so the strolls about the city have been wonderful. Susan and I along with the Hinch's set out to explore the city and got quite good at the underground and navigating ourselves about the city
Back at the Astoria Hotel we got the cocktail party going before heading out to our to our "farewell dinner" which proved to be quite an emotional event to end the trip on. Marta had selected a restaurant with an over-bearing, "squeaky" violin player. The dinner was marginal but the setting with our friends made it a memorable evening. We presented Marta and our driver with their "tip" envelopes as our thank you to them and the wonderful job they had done. It was back to the Hotel Astoria a few hugs and kisses and promises to get together with Marta in California or invite her if and when we return to Europe. Her job security is somewhat tenuous as our trave group OATs has cancelled their involvement in these trips to eastern Europe. Which means that Marta is back to free lancing without any steady income. Lousy break for a great gal..........
Hugs and kisses to all those leaving in the morning and for the rest of us tomorrow is moving day up to Castle Hill and the Burg Hotel which we had seen quite by accident a few days earlier as we toured the "Buda" side of the city. Before moving, we took in the covered market again, and the National Museum. The move up to Castle Hill while on the one hand is a move into a very "touristy" during the day, proves to be quiet relaxing place during the evening. With little traffic and spectacular views of the city, its a great place to begin winding down and getting ready for the trip home.
The Kuri's and Hinch's left us after two days, so once we were rid of them we decided to take a train trip to the southeast to a small town called Eger. Eger is in the heart of the Hungarian wine district and is about a two hour train ride. We got off to a rather shaky start as we had some difficulty locating the train station we were to leave from. Not a whole lot of English being spoken here in Budapest but we did manage to find the station, and purchase the tickets with more than a few minutes to spare. The trains were old and smelled as though they had housed stray cats for the last several years. We headed to Eger with the windows down and no reservations for the night. Our buddy Rick Steve's had recommended two hotels that sounded great but what we had failed to account for was the fact that this was a 4 day holiday, one of the last before winter sets in and the entire country was on holiday.
As our cab driver pulled into town from the train station, we knew immediately that we were in trouble as we were confronted with the hordes of people basking in the sun and in the square. A few inquiries confirmed that there was "no room" at the Inn anywhere so Don and I planted the girls in a quaint restaurant and set off on the hunt. We cornered a cab driver who took us to a very large hotel (remember The Park ?) They had rooms available but we weren't quite sure the gals would approve. They had sent us out in search of "quaint" and we returned with "modern" and "slick". But that was the best we could do as the town was continuing to fill up. Got settled into the hotel which really wasn't all that bad then headed back into town for dinner. Had dinner at a Scottish restaurant owned by a charming lad named "McDonald" it was quite good and very reasonable.
Hikes about town and up to the castle filled the next day and then it was back on the train to Budapest. We did much better retracing our footsteps and returned home to the Burg which held all of our luggage just as the sun set and the evening began to really cool off. Winter is coming and its time for us to go home.
Before the White's left, Mike had a conversation with a young man who recommended we see St Andrews......SanAndraes.... but after a little search we determined the town to be Szentendre (oh sure Mike!) but it does mean St. Andrews. So that's how we spent our last day. Another train trip along the Danube for about an hour and then a walk thru the lovely town of St Andrews. A few more beers........more goolaush a gyro for me and another train ride back into Budapest and we are about to end this journey.
I think, all had a good time with some memorable times. With the exception of Marta, the language barriers prevented us from really meeting or making new friends. It was a great time of the year to be traveling here in this part of the world, all bundled up with winter really in the air. Tomorrow we fly, and we'll see some of you in the next few days.
Budapessssssssssshed...............................................................gb

Prague to Cesky Krumlov 10/06/08

                 Prague to Cesky Krumlov
                                         10/06/08
Dear Friends and Family,

I trust that by now you have the economy back in shape and its safe to travel back home. We do get the world CNN coverage here each night when the markets close at ten so after several drinks the market reversals seem almost comical.....not quite!
It is interesting tho, to watch the world markets during the day and see their reaction to the US markets of the day before. Mike White had the unique experience of banking with Wachovia and had his monies in limbo for a few days while they merged with Wells Fargo....................I got an e-mail from the President of Wells Fargo and he said not to worry and its "business as usual" So we have decided to stay until our money and the kid's inheritance drys up.
The trip has been wonderful with many unexpected sites and experiences. It reminds me of traveling thru Europe in the 60's and 70's with the lack of freeways, high rises and all those McDonalds and KFC's. While the larger cities have the occasional fast food establishments we have managed to steer clear of them and concentrate on the potato pancakes and dumplings. Lots of soups, pork and bread so the Atkins Diet has taken quite a hit.
As some of you may already know we began our trip in Prague in the Czech Republic after stops in London for a few hours. The Gaughran's and White's came in two days ahead so they had Prague wired and the histories of the countries down to a tee. Fortunately, we were met at the airport by our guide, Marta and then proceeded to the Hotel Floor where our "travel routine began. While we have been here for almost 11 days our stays have been usually 2-3 nites at each hotel. Regardless of when we arrive, we have our welcome drink and then a brief orientation walk about the city. It really is a nice feature of the tour to get your bearings before heading out the next day.
Many of our meals are included in the tour price, all breakfasts, many lunches and some dinners. The food in Prague was quite inexpensive and of course the beer and wine were the best deals of all. What we are finding is how insufficient our knowledge really is of Eastern Europe. So it has been difficult for all of us to relate to anyone other than Charles IV and Adolph Hitler. Due to some considerations given the area by the Germans and the English most all of the building with their wonderful architecture still stands fully intact. Prague is a wonderful city. We were fortunate enough to stay in the older section which is now a pedestrian way so walking about the cobblestone promenades is quite the thing to do. A lot of trouble with the language as our hand signals and Czech leave much to be desired. We have also discovered that speaking in a loud voice doesn't help much either. Some of the museums are in English but thank got I'm not driving since the road signs with their hyphenated words would prove a real struggle to read. Fortunately I learned my lesson in Australia and am leaving the driving to a local (still can't pronounce his name, but I can recognize him by his made haircut and orange sweater).
After three nights in Prague we ventured out into the countryside via a few small cities (to be named later). One was Trebon, the other still escapes me but did have some wonderful tunnels to climb around in and hide from your enemies both centuries old ones and those of WWII. It seems as these people of eastern Europe were always fighting with someone until they finally rid themselves of the communists during the "Velvet Revolution" in the late 80"s.......what a life.
Our destination after Prague was Cesky Krumlov. Upon hearing the town's name for the first time I thought for sure it was some cream filled Bavarian pastry. Bob Gaughran had sent us a slide show prior to flying with a glimpse of the city. But in no way could the pictures do the town justice. We have all traveled to those picturesque cities that have those unforgettable roads and ally ways that scream out to be explored. Well Cesky Krumlov exceeds anything that I have ever seem before. After our welcome drink we did some exploration of the town only to be confronted at every turn in the road that was more spectacular than the last. I must have take 20 pictures of the castle tower that was painted to look like a wedding cake. From every angle and at every different time of the day the tower took on another appearance. A small river winds its way through the town with each section of the town connected by bridges.
Probably the most amazing aspect of the town was that as you approached a highlight to be photographed you were confronted by another, even more beautiful, as soon as you turned around. The city just brought a smile to your face each and every day that we were out and about. Our second day we went up stream of few kms then rafted down back thru the town. Of course its the fall over hear and the changing of the colors have been a spectacle unto themselves. Believe me when I say Bob Gaughran has personally photographed 90% of the trees in the Czech Republic. The weather has more than cooperated, with no rain, blue skies for the most part but at the same time you do bundle up during the days with even me in a scarf.
Have got to sign off for now, but I'll get back to you in a day or so

Welcome to Eastern Europe 10/04/08

                        Marta's Welcome

Dear Travelers,

My name is Marta Hosnedlova and I will be your Program Director on the Inside Eastern Europe program. I really look forward to our tour and showing you my very own Eastern Europe.

I will do my best to make the tour going smoothly and that is why I decided to contact you in advance. Our first meeting as the whole group is the "welcome drink" on 9 October 2008. I have the transfer info about 8 members of our BROWN GROUP (I will pick you up at the airport and depending on flight information we should be in Floor hotel at approx. 7:30 p.m.) but I don't know anything about our "Land Only" part of our "Team".

Would you be so kind and let me know if you are coming with the same flight or the different one or maybe you are coming even some days earlier? Thank you in advance for your information :o)

See you soon!

Marta