BUDAPESCHT

We have learned how to say budapest correctly> Budapescht.

Leaving Prague, we walked from the hostel to the train station, which wasnt far at all, and we should've done that upon arriving, because the subway was harder to navigate than just walking...and we arrived to find our train delayed an hour. We went upstairs and sat in the old and dark train station *the original station, as it had authentic carvings and murals on the ceiling. 200 years ago, it would've been glowing *("Titanic" thoughts arise) However, we sat together, not moving away from the group, and thank goodness we didn't, because teh train was not delayed afterall. We all boarded and found our rooms were all on the same car this time. The train ride was on a brand new train, completely comfortable. Max, Marcella and John stayed awake all night, to monitor the halls as I had spread mz fear of gypsies into all of my travelers. Better to be prepared than to have bad memories...We were awoken with coffee and pain au chocolates served 30 minutes before arriving at the Keleti train station. Again, we were woken up to the most gorgeous mountainous views, and the train followed the Danube river into town.

We waited downstairs in the cool marble of the Keleti train station as Shane and Evan purchased their train tickets to Florence. An hour later, we took one subway and one tram and walked four blocks to our hostel. BUT it was literally six marble flights of stairs to the third floor. We do have the whole third floor flat to ourselves, it is comprised of three apartments. The first has two rooms which hold four beds, and these are the most spacious rooms ever, plus they have a huge entry way, and their own kitchen and bathroom. The next apartment has a ktichen a bathroom, a room of 6 beds, a room of two and a single. The third apartment has a room of six beds and a twin with a kitchen and two bathrooms.  WE ARE SPOILED. (except for the stairs to get up here )

As soon as we arrived, we all put on our bathing suits and shorts and walked 10 large blocks to the Synchenyi Baths, Oh My GOSH, we found heaven. The 3 large outside pools had warm, cold and a lap pool. Then we all decided to cancel the bike tour until tomorrow. So we went inside the baths and ventured into about 20 pools all ranging from 16 degrees celsius to 38 . Our preferred was 34. IT was so much fun teaching them to go from freezing cold, yes, the head too, to the hot, to feel the tingles. Then we went back outside to lay in the sun and hop around in the cool pool. The pool had the largest assortment of people, ages, cultures, looks, body sizes that we all had ever seen. It was spectacular. The most fun was walking in the tiled circle of the pool, creating a whirl pool, that literally swept you off your feet in the currents. It was made as everyone walked in a circle, and soon, we were all laughing and drowning in a circle.

Most travelers were done with the spa experience after 2 hours, and i was trying not to be upset, as I had cancelled the bike tour, but about half stayed until 4, and we all were able to rest, and do our own thing.
Upon returning to the hostel, most slept, and I hopped on my skateboard to visit old haunts, visit with the bike tour people, and find us a restaurant, which amazingly I did! I skated down a random street on the way to the bike place, and looked in at this odd gravel filled bar, with multi colored garden picnic tables. It kinda reminded me of a beach bar in Mexico.  In any case, I kept going to the bike place, and after I got tomorrows time locked in, I asked for advice about a dinner place. She showed me on the map where to go, and I did, and low and behold it was Kolevest....the place I saw! |I alerted them we'd be coming in an hour.
We showed up, and there was no waiter, so I played waitress, and I had NO idea what to expect, but the food was the BEST we've had all trip. Tender sirloin on a fried potato pancake with bell peppers in a balsamic dressing. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. Others had a hamburger, but it was seasoned with a chili ketchup sauce, and then there was a Chicken Mozzerella with tomatoe sauce, over a lettuce. I mean, really unbelievable.

I am now, in the second apartment, waiting, waiting blogging, waiting, for them all to get ready to go out on the town. I have a huge fear that if I stop typing, I will just go to sleep...so...The weather is super hot here, and humid, we are sweating sitting still.
We are headed to Instant, a dance club 3 blocks away, then Morrisons, another 3 blocks north, and then back to Szent Istvan to a roof party which we ventured upon last year, to see the amazing lights at night.

Tomorrow, we will have the bike tour, and then free time. Before we leave at 6 am to the airport.
It is going to be hard to say goodbye, but we are already trying to figure out a date, in August when we can all be together again for the reunion party.

CANT WAIT TO COME HOME...I MISS MY FAMILY!!! and I am sure these kids miss their loved ones just as much, but gosh, its all a blur, and a wonderful time we've had...