Good morning,
After spending loads of time when the kids sleep, scrubbing the grime and muck off the floors, windows, kitchen and bathroom, a beautiful apartment reveals itself. 4 ½ metre ceilings with the original mouldings of this over 100 year old building, and light travelling though makes this space a dream. It needs work, lots of work but I think we can get it to rental quality in the next 2 weeks. A feat to say the least, but Alfonz and I are determined…….or crazy, whichever, I don’t care……muhahah!
When you look down the stair well, 13 flights from Nagymama’s to the ground, its quite something. The door way domes and looks very cathedral like, and the court yard smells of old…..I love everything about this place. I sometimes wish these walls could talk but on the other hand I have been coming here since I was born so shhhhhh……haha!
Today is shopping for the right property manager, and buying the hard stuff, the washing machine, fridge, TV……Then tomorrow the old owners need to get the last of their stuff out and then its to IKEA, Swedish for common sense, to buy everything else from cup to couch! I can’t wait. This week the painter comes and the window bar person…..so much in such a short time…..exciting. Before and after pictures are going to be posted once we are done……..
Okay that’s good for now.
I got to go and feed the kids before they start eating from the garbage.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
OMG
I keep stealing internet and in return it keeps kicking me off before it saves my enteries!! ugh!!!!
We love our family so much here, and are spending time with my favorite Vasali's. My cousins! Bori isn't here but thats oksy I will see her in Canada when we return....
Panni leaves today for Wininipeg!!! Congrats on the engagement and the civil wedding Oct 11th. Wish I was there. I am sure you will be a beautiful bride. Paulko is too lucky!! But welcome to the famiyl all the same.
I can't wait until the big wedding here in May. Hope to make it back for that!!
We love our family so much here, and are spending time with my favorite Vasali's. My cousins! Bori isn't here but thats oksy I will see her in Canada when we return....
Panni leaves today for Wininipeg!!! Congrats on the engagement and the civil wedding Oct 11th. Wish I was there. I am sure you will be a beautiful bride. Paulko is too lucky!! But welcome to the famiyl all the same.
I can't wait until the big wedding here in May. Hope to make it back for that!!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Ikea?
Good morning. Rested and ready to go. Here we are after two days of cleaning our new apartment, its finally looking close to furnishing. It looks like Ikea is the way to go around here for price point and convinence. One stop shop from couch to cup! I love it. Today we have about 3 more hours of scrubbing. The potential is unbelievable. 4 1/2 meter cielings, light travels straight though and the oversized windows with old original shutters makes this 125 year old building a dream home. I don't want to go back to my BC box ever!!!!
Rentals look good in the area, being so close to the walking strip and the Danube. I think this is a place we will have for a long time. So if anyone comes to Budapest let us know.
Yesterday it was so nice to see my cousin Panni, who's freshly engaged, to Paulko from Winipeg. Congrats to you both and Paulko welcome to the family. Open invite to visit and can't wait to meet you. Civil service in Canada next week and the big wedding will be here in Hungary in May. I'll have my dancing shoes ready!
Also family news, Borika is in Calgary visiting her boyfriend Curtis but will be visiting us in White Rock shortly after we come home from Europe. I can't wait to see her. I miss and love you very much! I wish you were here.
Peti also visited yesterday and we will see him again at the big family dinner on Sunday!!
Okay that's it for now, off to Torokbalint to visit Alfonz's nagymama, and see the family bakery, aunts and uncles blahh blahblah.....
love and miss you ,
eva xo
Rentals look good in the area, being so close to the walking strip and the Danube. I think this is a place we will have for a long time. So if anyone comes to Budapest let us know.
Yesterday it was so nice to see my cousin Panni, who's freshly engaged, to Paulko from Winipeg. Congrats to you both and Paulko welcome to the family. Open invite to visit and can't wait to meet you. Civil service in Canada next week and the big wedding will be here in Hungary in May. I'll have my dancing shoes ready!
Also family news, Borika is in Calgary visiting her boyfriend Curtis but will be visiting us in White Rock shortly after we come home from Europe. I can't wait to see her. I miss and love you very much! I wish you were here.
Peti also visited yesterday and we will see him again at the big family dinner on Sunday!!
Okay that's it for now, off to Torokbalint to visit Alfonz's nagymama, and see the family bakery, aunts and uncles blahh blahblah.....
love and miss you ,
eva xo
Friday, September 26, 2008
Passau
Okay so here we are again, at a gas station somewhere off the main highway going through Austria, paying for the potty and having a very expensive bite before back to the grind of driving.
Last night we stayed at Passau. A small city on the Donau, or Danube River. German town, boasting a view that would make angels cry. We arrived late and tried to find a B&B before the sun went down. Alfonz went in to a few places and everyone was booked, (early beer festers?) So he finally found one. Older, along the water with a view, big, dated to say the least but we both had stayed in worse. Plus the kids were done by this point, so we really didn't have an alternative. 139 Euros, high priced, but in Hassmersheim was so off the beaten track I expect we got a good deal at $74 Euros for a brand spankin' new hotel with view and an extra bed even.....
We parked in this dives labyrinth parkade, got lost for 20 minutes carrying the kids and bags, came up via stairs, put our stuff away, and then we went to get food at a tiny pub on the main drag. We sat down and I mentioned, you know we don't have to stay here. We could get our bags, and take off to the next town. I just got a really bad vibe from the room, plus they wanted cash up front, and key deposit......So when the waitress came to our table to take the order we asked her what she thought about the hotel we are staying at. She said don't do it, its a really bad place, your stuff won't be safe, the owner's crazy.....no sooner did she finish her sentence did Alfonz leave me with the screaming tired kids, to run back, load up the car and return the key. The waitress happened to work in a Hotel called The Atrium on the other side of the Danube. She called over for us and asked if they had anything available because it was late and the kids were so tired by 8:30 with the change over, no naps, and no food as of yet! She felt sorry for us I think and put the last room on hold for us. When we finished the meal, we drove around, got lost, I really did think Alfonz would snap at that point (but not until today did he...teehee) but he held up and when we found it, it looked like an oasis. Beautifully done with floor to ceiling windows, light flowing through, our beakin'. Thank the lord above. Oh god, I though Mary-Louise said it was $95 Euros, this looks much more. But Alfonz had high hopes, as often he does, walked in and came back nearly shitting. We not only got a room for the night but the last one available was the 2 story suite!! two baths, 2 beds, stunning windows all brand new and plush!! lucky lucky lucky man, I thought. If he didn't pick that hole to eat in we never would have talked to the girl that passed us along......(A quick note don't ever order duck in a German pub. I think it was deep fried! And dumplings there are one giant boiled ball of dough soaked in gravy....not so good. The rest of us ate Schnitzel. Another note, its always good in Germany no matter where you eat it. If its a gas station, of a fancy restaurant Schnitzel's all the same.) Anyways the room was soemthing out of a dream and would have cost more than 3 times the price normally!!
Angelina decided to wake us up in the wee hours, so wake up time for us today was 3:45. Daniel miraculously slept on until 6:00. No rest for the wicked. Mary- Louise, our savior, ended up serving us breakfast. When we told her which room we were in even she nearly had a heart attack. With directions in hand I was now determined to see this beautiful city by foot. We tried, a few different ways, but my lovely husband, on no sleep......the kids crazy from no sleep or just not enough, we started driving out of the city. I guess this city is not for us after all?! Or maybe we need to arrange a B&B on the way back and see it then?! Wish me luck on that one!
So after numerous blow outs and failed attempts at compromise we are very close to the Hungarian boarder. Austria for me was a blur of green patchwork out my window, and gas station food that is stinkin' up the car. No not me it was Alfonz!! hah!! Maybe on the way home we can stop somewhere. I am dreaming of my Nagymama's spare room, and some sleep and some firm ground to plant our feet on. I guess next time we need to do no more than 3 hours driving a day, more is too hard on us. Especially the kids, but even us. I guess we are getting older after all.
Last night we stayed at Passau. A small city on the Donau, or Danube River. German town, boasting a view that would make angels cry. We arrived late and tried to find a B&B before the sun went down. Alfonz went in to a few places and everyone was booked, (early beer festers?) So he finally found one. Older, along the water with a view, big, dated to say the least but we both had stayed in worse. Plus the kids were done by this point, so we really didn't have an alternative. 139 Euros, high priced, but in Hassmersheim was so off the beaten track I expect we got a good deal at $74 Euros for a brand spankin' new hotel with view and an extra bed even.....
We parked in this dives labyrinth parkade, got lost for 20 minutes carrying the kids and bags, came up via stairs, put our stuff away, and then we went to get food at a tiny pub on the main drag. We sat down and I mentioned, you know we don't have to stay here. We could get our bags, and take off to the next town. I just got a really bad vibe from the room, plus they wanted cash up front, and key deposit......So when the waitress came to our table to take the order we asked her what she thought about the hotel we are staying at. She said don't do it, its a really bad place, your stuff won't be safe, the owner's crazy.....no sooner did she finish her sentence did Alfonz leave me with the screaming tired kids, to run back, load up the car and return the key. The waitress happened to work in a Hotel called The Atrium on the other side of the Danube. She called over for us and asked if they had anything available because it was late and the kids were so tired by 8:30 with the change over, no naps, and no food as of yet! She felt sorry for us I think and put the last room on hold for us. When we finished the meal, we drove around, got lost, I really did think Alfonz would snap at that point (but not until today did he...teehee) but he held up and when we found it, it looked like an oasis. Beautifully done with floor to ceiling windows, light flowing through, our beakin'. Thank the lord above. Oh god, I though Mary-Louise said it was $95 Euros, this looks much more. But Alfonz had high hopes, as often he does, walked in and came back nearly shitting. We not only got a room for the night but the last one available was the 2 story suite!! two baths, 2 beds, stunning windows all brand new and plush!! lucky lucky lucky man, I thought. If he didn't pick that hole to eat in we never would have talked to the girl that passed us along......(A quick note don't ever order duck in a German pub. I think it was deep fried! And dumplings there are one giant boiled ball of dough soaked in gravy....not so good. The rest of us ate Schnitzel. Another note, its always good in Germany no matter where you eat it. If its a gas station, of a fancy restaurant Schnitzel's all the same.) Anyways the room was soemthing out of a dream and would have cost more than 3 times the price normally!!
Angelina decided to wake us up in the wee hours, so wake up time for us today was 3:45. Daniel miraculously slept on until 6:00. No rest for the wicked. Mary- Louise, our savior, ended up serving us breakfast. When we told her which room we were in even she nearly had a heart attack. With directions in hand I was now determined to see this beautiful city by foot. We tried, a few different ways, but my lovely husband, on no sleep......the kids crazy from no sleep or just not enough, we started driving out of the city. I guess this city is not for us after all?! Or maybe we need to arrange a B&B on the way back and see it then?! Wish me luck on that one!
So after numerous blow outs and failed attempts at compromise we are very close to the Hungarian boarder. Austria for me was a blur of green patchwork out my window, and gas station food that is stinkin' up the car. No not me it was Alfonz!! hah!! Maybe on the way home we can stop somewhere. I am dreaming of my Nagymama's spare room, and some sleep and some firm ground to plant our feet on. I guess next time we need to do no more than 3 hours driving a day, more is too hard on us. Especially the kids, but even us. I guess we are getting older after all.
Here we are!!
Good afternoon,
Our first entry, better late than never!!
Here we are, leaving Hassmerheim, after a couple days of recouping from the 10 hour flight, 2 hour luggage escapade and 2 hour drive. Kids are changing over quickly!! Yes my kids!!
Daniel met a little girl on the plane and played the whole time they were awake. And, well Angelina only had one complete melt down, with blood curdling screams that woke up most the passengers. A medical doctor next to us, asked if we brought Gravol. I said why yes? he said, now would be the time to give it to her. I did and she was a dream after that! hah!
From there we picked up our car, full loaded to the top with bags and started down south towards Heidelberg. Then from their Southwest towards Mosbach and then finally Hasserheim. Once there we met up with family and ate a traditional meal of cabbage, roast smoked pork and mashed potatoes. Very tasty after a long day.
We stayed at a local B&B, along the Neckar River, with a view of the swans swimming along the shores. Very pretty. And the food here is very typical European. Cheeses and cold cuts, fresh breads and egg, loads of fruit and the best espresso you can imagine. We have been spending time with Alfonz's Aunt and Uncle, who live in a typical German two story home, all panelled wood inside with carved pictures of folk stories, smells of wood and Zsuzsa Neni's cooking, that happens to give my mom's cooking a run for her money!
Heidelberg yesterday was fun! We shopped in designer stores, among old buildings that were never touched during the war. Its perfectly reserved its time travel, really! To see beautifully dressed students and tourist and businessman alike enjoying the fall day. Everyone seemed to be snacking on ice-cream or bakery buns. We had star bucks lattes and the kids ate cookies as we looked for a new pair of glasses for Alfonz. (He left his at home along with my black vest, no worries I'll have to buy another...teehee) I ended up with a new purse from AunteandUncles that’s over the shoulder. I feel like a Sherpa, caring the kids stuff, the supplies and the hiking gear.....hah! We skipped lunch and ended up back home early enough to enjoy some more homemade food at Zsuzsa Neni's. This time she made Nokedli, the kids favourite. Yummy. We ended up drinking a little bit with them and told jokes until the kids asked to leave. So tired. To bed we went, up the next day with a late start after another lovely breakfast at the hotel. We even took the ducks and swans some bread, the kids had fun feeding them.
I can't believe how green Germany is. So many different shades of green lush bush and trees along every roadside. River side. They seem to put people living first, not working. Each township has walking paths and parks. Very welcoming at every turn. Cobblestone walkways, German store fronts, as I remember with great shopping, full of local treats.
So far so good, we haven't killed each other yet. As tried as we were its a miracle.
From here we are going East on Hwy 6 to Nurnberg, then from there hwy 3 to Passau. We may stay there. It boarders Austria, a good start to get to Vienna tomorrow.
The kids are watching a DVD in the back of the Toyota Verso station wagon TDI and Angelina is out like a light again. The road is long but loads to see wiz by. Rolling hills, countryside, great cars everywhere. I like it here.
Our first entry, better late than never!!
Here we are, leaving Hassmerheim, after a couple days of recouping from the 10 hour flight, 2 hour luggage escapade and 2 hour drive. Kids are changing over quickly!! Yes my kids!!
Daniel met a little girl on the plane and played the whole time they were awake. And, well Angelina only had one complete melt down, with blood curdling screams that woke up most the passengers. A medical doctor next to us, asked if we brought Gravol. I said why yes? he said, now would be the time to give it to her. I did and she was a dream after that! hah!
From there we picked up our car, full loaded to the top with bags and started down south towards Heidelberg. Then from their Southwest towards Mosbach and then finally Hasserheim. Once there we met up with family and ate a traditional meal of cabbage, roast smoked pork and mashed potatoes. Very tasty after a long day.
We stayed at a local B&B, along the Neckar River, with a view of the swans swimming along the shores. Very pretty. And the food here is very typical European. Cheeses and cold cuts, fresh breads and egg, loads of fruit and the best espresso you can imagine. We have been spending time with Alfonz's Aunt and Uncle, who live in a typical German two story home, all panelled wood inside with carved pictures of folk stories, smells of wood and Zsuzsa Neni's cooking, that happens to give my mom's cooking a run for her money!
Heidelberg yesterday was fun! We shopped in designer stores, among old buildings that were never touched during the war. Its perfectly reserved its time travel, really! To see beautifully dressed students and tourist and businessman alike enjoying the fall day. Everyone seemed to be snacking on ice-cream or bakery buns. We had star bucks lattes and the kids ate cookies as we looked for a new pair of glasses for Alfonz. (He left his at home along with my black vest, no worries I'll have to buy another...teehee) I ended up with a new purse from AunteandUncles that’s over the shoulder. I feel like a Sherpa, caring the kids stuff, the supplies and the hiking gear.....hah! We skipped lunch and ended up back home early enough to enjoy some more homemade food at Zsuzsa Neni's. This time she made Nokedli, the kids favourite. Yummy. We ended up drinking a little bit with them and told jokes until the kids asked to leave. So tired. To bed we went, up the next day with a late start after another lovely breakfast at the hotel. We even took the ducks and swans some bread, the kids had fun feeding them.
I can't believe how green Germany is. So many different shades of green lush bush and trees along every roadside. River side. They seem to put people living first, not working. Each township has walking paths and parks. Very welcoming at every turn. Cobblestone walkways, German store fronts, as I remember with great shopping, full of local treats.
So far so good, we haven't killed each other yet. As tried as we were its a miracle.
From here we are going East on Hwy 6 to Nurnberg, then from there hwy 3 to Passau. We may stay there. It boarders Austria, a good start to get to Vienna tomorrow.
The kids are watching a DVD in the back of the Toyota Verso station wagon TDI and Angelina is out like a light again. The road is long but loads to see wiz by. Rolling hills, countryside, great cars everywhere. I like it here.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Hamori Kids
These are the most recent pictures of our lovely kids. Daniel is 5 in November and Angelina will be 3 in October. They truly are the most important people in our life, and they add more joy than we could have imagined.
My Uncle
A quick note, one not to be forgotten. This year we lost a very important family member. The patriarch of our family, my uncle Pityu, my mother's older brother. He has shown me most of Hungary, came to my church wedding when others couldn't get there from Canada and played a huge role by being there for me on that special day. We drank palinka, ate beautiful meals,and laughed together many times. He loved me very much. And for this I am grateful and will miss him forever. He was a good man. Our family will not be the same again. Rest in peace.
That's Hamori!!
Our new family blog is finally here!! Our family and friends can keep track of us during our adventures!
Come by anytime to view our plans, our daily trips across Europe and above all see how cute our kids are!
Daniel and Angelina are totally excited about our latest upcoming journey, across the ocean in the 'big plane', to finally see Gramma in Budapest, Hungary!
Our first stop is Frankfurt, where we drive down towards Mosbach, Germany through the Black Forest, to visit with Alfonz's longtime family friends, Zsuzsa Neni and Jozsi Bacsi. They live on the Neckar River in a perfectly set up 'Pleasantville' village, with geraniums in every window and swans swimming along the riverbanks waiting for their crumbs from the passersby. Walking streets lined with local vendors full of traditional German breads and foods which make this stop always a family favorite. Cabbage rolls here we come! Alfonz's aunt always says, "You're full? That's okay eat it nice and slow and it will go down!"
Then its a drive to our next destination. Vienna, Austria! An old favorite of mine but new to my lovely husband. I can't wait to show him the castles.
After that we hope to make it to Hungary in time to enjoy my moms homemade paprikas chicken on the Sunday for our family dinner.
We have 3 weeks to completely renos on our new apartment, then its back towards Germany and back home.
That's the itinerary! With loads of family visits and mini adventures to all the great tourist attractions along with pictures and more...
See you soon,
love eva xo
Come by anytime to view our plans, our daily trips across Europe and above all see how cute our kids are!
Daniel and Angelina are totally excited about our latest upcoming journey, across the ocean in the 'big plane', to finally see Gramma in Budapest, Hungary!
Our first stop is Frankfurt, where we drive down towards Mosbach, Germany through the Black Forest, to visit with Alfonz's longtime family friends, Zsuzsa Neni and Jozsi Bacsi. They live on the Neckar River in a perfectly set up 'Pleasantville' village, with geraniums in every window and swans swimming along the riverbanks waiting for their crumbs from the passersby. Walking streets lined with local vendors full of traditional German breads and foods which make this stop always a family favorite. Cabbage rolls here we come! Alfonz's aunt always says, "You're full? That's okay eat it nice and slow and it will go down!"
Then its a drive to our next destination. Vienna, Austria! An old favorite of mine but new to my lovely husband. I can't wait to show him the castles.
After that we hope to make it to Hungary in time to enjoy my moms homemade paprikas chicken on the Sunday for our family dinner.
We have 3 weeks to completely renos on our new apartment, then its back towards Germany and back home.
That's the itinerary! With loads of family visits and mini adventures to all the great tourist attractions along with pictures and more...
See you soon,
love eva xo
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