We have arrived safely home, our flight was even 30 minutes early.
July 22, 2009
We have arrived in NY and are awaiting our flight home. Should land in KC around 6:30 and be home around 8. Given that we got up at 6 and it will feel lime 3 AM, we will probably be tired, very tired.
July 20, 2009
This is our 3rd out of 4 days in Praha (Prague) before flying home to the states. I was concerned that everyone would be checked out of our trip after Vienna and just buying time before leaving. Thank goodness that Prague is so charming that it reinvigorated everyone so we are enjoying the experience. Prague is a packed town of winding cobbled streets, quaint alleys that pass through courtyards and an abundance of architecture to please the eyes. (Baroque, Rococo, Gothic, Art Nuevo). Even the kids enjoy looking at all the amazing art on the exteriors of everyday buildings that we pass. We met up with friends from the US, Andrea, Greg and their 6 month old daughter Bethany who showed us around the castle district yesterday. We then met up with our personal guide Slavec, an 80 year old Czech who showed us around the old town today. He was interesting because of his experience of living in Prague during the War including Nazi occupation and then communist occupation. He now enjoys the opportunity to freely mix with people from all over the world and share experiences of Prague with them. Our lodging is great on the top attic flat of a building right around the corner of the main old town square. We can peek out our terrace and see the clock tower and powder house which is one of the original gates of the walled city of Prague. What is so amazing about Prague is how intact everything is to truly appreciate. The only drawback is that it is crammed packed with tourists who have heard that Prague is the new Paris to visit with cheaper prices. I just enjoy the chance to travel back in time and soak it all in.
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- View from our Prague Apartment
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- Stain glass window in St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague
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- Prague Castle and Charles Bridge at night
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- The Lennon Wall protesting the Communist rule
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- Us in front of St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague
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- Odd statues of faceless babies in Prague
July 19, 2009
We arrived safely in Prague, it is much cooler and was raining on our walk from the train to our apartment. We have limited email, so may not get to do much posting. I see why people really like this city, it is old and charming (but has too many tourist and tacky souvenir shops, oh well). Our place is wonderful, good location and lots of room. We will be home in a few days.
July 17, 2009
The Hapsburg empire was one of the great dynasties in the history of the world. They reigned for around 600 years, from the 13th century until 1918. The collection of jewels, crowns and other valuables exhibited here is one of the best on the continent. Marley posed in a bunch of the pictures which gives some scale. Thought Gram Co would particularly like this.
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- A 13th century cross, Hofburg Treasury, Vienna
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- World’s largest cut emerald, ~ 2500 karets, Hofburg Treasury, Vienna
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- Huge stones, ameythst on left, opal? on right, Hofburg Treasury, Vienna
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- A “Unicorn” horn, Hofburg Treasury, Vienna
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- A crown, Hofburg Treasury, Vienna
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- Robe, Hofburg Treasury, Vienna
July 17, 2009
Wanted to wrap up Budapest. We did a lot of fun things. Took a Danube night time river cruise, went to the Terror Museum, add dinner at a cafe next to the Danube, ate at TGI Fridays, played in the city park, went to the hero’s memorial, etc. Enjoyed the city a lot. Just a bit on the Terror Museum. It is located in the building that first housed the Red Cross (Hungarian Nazi party) and then the Communist secret police. They had “interagation” rooms, prison cells, and the gallows. It was a very well done museum (they did not allow pictures inside).
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- Dinner on the Danube in Budapest
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- Playing in Budapest
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- The Terror Museum Budapest
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- Inside Terror Museum, Budapest
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- Heroe’s Square Budapest
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- Fun in the park, a car that made the Dacia look like a race car
July 17, 2009
We are continuing to enjoy Eastern Europe. The further West we travel the more conveniences of home we experience. Clean toilets, good tap water, McDonald’s on every other corner. The only inconvenience at this point is lack of air conditioning. Not just in our flat, but all over. Even as we were touring the Hapsburg residence there was no AC so I’ve learned not to even wear makeup b/c I end up wiping the sweat from my face regularly. In the cities defence, it is warmer than usual, but AC is a rarity. Our flat is in a great location right next to the opera and a 5 minute walk to the Hapsburg palace, Stephanplatz and many attractions. The city itself is a beautiful old city again much like Paris with many museums, expensive shopping, outdoor cafes, statues, great music
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- Lipizzaner show Vienna, mothers and foals running loose
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- Vienna fountain in front of Hofburg Palace
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- Choir in unknown church in Vienna
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- Vienna City Hall
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- Unknown church in Vienna, notice the spiral staircase going up
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- Jennifer’s birthstone, aquamarine, 400+ karets
and over the top ornate buildings. The Danube is a disappointment here frankly and I realize that that is what I like about Budapest. The city Pest up against the Danube up against the hilly Buda is strikingly beautiful. The kids are still hanging in there, but frankly Vienna is probably not the best city for kids. They can only take so much culture. Homesickness is also setting in. I’m the last to fall. I am tired b/c doing the sites and getting around town takes planning, but I’m in a routine and doing pretty well in my role of navigator so I’m still having fun. One lucky break is that even though Lipizzaner stallions are on summer break, their foals and mothers in training are still here and we were able to take in a show. I actually enjoyed it because you got to see the horses in the raw. We head for Prague tomorrow and I’m looking forward to visiting a Eastern European city that has not been bombed and rebuilt from WWII. Supposedly much of the city is original. We also have a contact in Prague and I’m looking forward to hearing how Americans now living in Prague feel about the city. Continue to pray for health, safe travel and a good trip home on Wednesday. Much love, Jennifer
July 17, 2009
We have five days left of this amazing trip and I am starting to really miss home (suprisingly)! I miss having my i-Pod with me but more than that, I miss my dogs!!! Usually I spend my days upstairs in my room with Mimzy and Cody (my dogs) but here I can’t so that’s a bummer! BUT, to be on the positive side, at least I get to see them in less than a week. 
July 16, 2009
Since we had a car for most of Romania, our first Metro experience was in Budapest. They actually have the oldest line in Europe (continental, London had the overall first) built in the late 1800’s. It is very nice and was easy to use. Trying to teach the kids how to ride metros as we go.
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- Riding the Budapest Metro
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- Budapest oldest Metro line, recently renovated
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- The long escalator down to the Budapest Metro
July 16, 2009
I am so far behind on posting, not sure how to catch up. Here is why I am behind. We have had some electronic issues. First, Marley’s ipod crashed right before we left, so we didn’t even bring it. Nate’s iTouch locked up about a week ago. Found an Apple store in Budapest and they were able to restore, but until we hook into iTunes at home, it is basically empty. Out internet connection in Budapest kept going down and locking up my computer when it did. So I quit posting. Then the real problem. We had two plug converters (US to EU), but forgot to pack one. Wasn’t really a problem until the one we had died a couple of days ago. Fortunately we found a big electronics store and I bought a new one and we have a high speed connection in Vienna. But I am way behind. Also, we are only staying in Vienna for three nights and there is a lot to see, not leaving a lot of time for posting. I will try to catch up some.
