Labryinth

As our time with Tyler was growing quickly to a close we made a list of the other things we could do. Nothing was vitally touristy, but out of our short list (we have done most everything!) She chose the Labyrinth. We woke up early, and walked over to Castle Hill where the entrance was located. It was suppose to open at 9:30 am but of course no one showed up until 10:00 am. Once we got in we were pretty excited about the expansive underground system!
This is one of the many wells that we found along our journey! Water was constantly running throughout the entire cave. We all got dripped on more than once!

This was called the axis of the world. I am not sure what it is, but is was cool.


Drawings on the wall in the Prehistoric part of the cave system. The music through out the labyrinth was creepy which made Tyler really wish we didn't come at all. I will admit there was one room which we held hands because it was really scary!

Another well, I was trying to figure out why the water was bright green at the bottom!

What/Who is this guy/thing?

This is a really neat monument! It looks like warriors or guardians protecting the cross!

As we approached this room I kept saying "oh man, do you smell paint thinner? It smells like paint thinner!" Apparently, I was smelling wine! It was so gross I couldn't take it! Those fountain in the ivy had wine flowing through them. I couldn't wait to leave!

This is called the crown in the rock (or something similar). This is where I got really creeped out. The floor was covered in water so it looked like the guy was drowning.

In the end of history room we saw a stone that had footprints in rock (with shoes on), the plaque said they couldn't be dated so they were alien. I am not sure if it was intended to be a joke but this coke bottle was also there so I think it probably was!
Overall it was a good time! We enjoyed the exploration process and I think once the lights were back on and the music became normal Tyler enjoyed it as well!

Castle Hill

The day after Vienna we had it planned to go to Castle Hill. Well my feet hurt, my head hurt, and I needed a break so Brent, being the wonderful amazing husband he is, took Tyler up to see the Castle while I slept in before church.

On top of Castle Hill they saw St. Matthias church. This was Brent's Second time up to Castle hill and the second time they were not allowed in the church because it was closed!

They also explored the old town. I think this is one of the most beautiful parts of Budapest. It seems very Scandinavian.

They also visited Fisherman's Bastion. This is where the fisherman used to bring their catches to sell to the public. Why they would chose to hike up a giant hill to do that I have no idea! This looks like a total fairy tale tower to me! I am so going to miss looking across the river at it!

From the top of Castle hill you can see all of the pest side! I am point out where we live, although you can't see it from here! Castle hill is about a 25 minute walk! Brent said he was glad I didn't come because every step was caked in ice, which would have made me stress out more than anything!

They also explored the castle. They went all the way around it, which I never got to do, and inside a little bit.

They arrived at church early which was fortunate because a friend had an early meeting and nothing to do with her two girls, luckily it was Brent and Tyler to the Rescue!

I spent a wonderful morning laying in bed drifting in and out of consciousness! I couldn't have asked for a better morning! After church we walked home across the lit up chain bridge and spent the night singing to the recorder (thanks Kristi!) and making dessert crepes! It was a great day for everyone!

***Note how only one picture had a person in it! This is what happens when Brent has the camera and I am not around! He love the artsy shots and kinda forgets that the people are the real memories! His pictures are Beautiful though!***

Vienna Austria

Brent and I were planning to take a three country tour this past weekend, but when it came down to it... we were just too tired! Traveling is a really high stress game and three countries in three days was just more than we wanted to deal with! Instead, we finally took our trip to Vienna Austria! This has been described to us as Budapest except kept up a lot nicer!

And with views like this I have to agree!

It is a three hour train ride from Budapest to Vienna. When we first got off the train we walked around the train station area and found some amazing Churches. This church was in West Banhover and wasn't on any tourist maps, and I am not to sure why! It was gorgeous and ornate, but pretty simple, especially when compared to the Roman Churches.

Here is the outside of the First Church.

Once we hit the metro, we were looking for a palace. Well we found a palace but we also found a CHRISTMAS MARKET!! The food was amazing. Tyler got a soft pretzel with cinnamon and sugar while Brent and I shared and Apple Stroudel. The Christmas market was fun, but Brent and I weren't blown away. Everything was really expensive and not that personalized. I guess we just didn't see how the booths were any different from one another.

Turns out we got off on the wrong metro and instead of a palace we found this Gothic church. Brent said this particular church was known as being fully inspired by the Gothic period!

This is one of the things I will miss most about Europe. We just don't have things like huge stained glass windows in the U.S.

The organ was pretty intense! I would be way to intimidated to actually play on it ever!

This is the Parliament building. It has snowed earlier that morning, while we were on the train, and so the pathway up to the top were caked in snow! for those who don't know I HATE snow and ice. I would have no snow ever again if I could!

This is the Winter Castle. Very gorgeous and Huge! Brent and I were talking and think we could make a very nice home out of their entrance way, which was three arched gateways with a huge building on each side! Heck, give up one half of the entrance and I think we could live happily forever!

Across the street from the Winter palace we found ANOTHER Christmas market. Like I said before, I wasn't impressed. This one was so crowded I didn't know how to even get up to look at anything.

By this time we were starving, especially Tyler. Brent would have just died had we not found a Vienna Sausage, which we did. They are enormous. Brent ordered a cheese filled dog for Tyler and I and a braut (?) for him. As I was leaving the big crowd I took a bite out of mine and cheese shot like a volcano over everyone! Luckily they laughed but I felt so bad!

After Lunch we hit up Schonnbrunn Castle or their Summer home! It was also enormous and gorgeous. There was another market out front of the castle. Are you noticing the pattern? They love their Christmas markets, but I am not exactly sure why!

Finally, we hit up the downtown area! This is where all the little shops are so I was able to find a spoon and a pen!

In Downtown their were two churches. The first was St. Stevens. I have been in so many churches I am now accustomed to using no flash and talking quietly while in churches, out of respect (and the posted signs). St. Stevens had these signs as well. It was a pretty church and then I started to hear random cords on the organ, I figured someone was warming up. This continued until I started to hear the tune of "hot cross buns". Looking at the organ I see a bunch of little kids climbing all over it playing whatever they want. The whole area is roped off so I have no idea how they were able to get over there unless they payed to do it or something. Well, I just figure if you can pay to do whatever you want in the church then the flash and talking rule aren't as important as I thought.

This is the second church in the Downtown Area. We were lucky enough to walk in while a choir was performing! It was gorgeous! We sat down and enjoyed the music!

While leaving the downtown we found these guys setting up! BREAKERS! This has always been one of Brent's Dreams so we had to watch! At the beginning they were counting down to the start so they said (in English) "Ten, nine, eight, seven, (all getting mixed up)...five/four/two" Then one guy said "What about six" another answered "sex is for AFTER Marriage!" I think I laughed hard enough for everyone. It really just surprised me more than anything!

Another Street Performer we as made these pictures, using SPRAY PAINT! It was so cool to watch him work. If Brent and I could get one home I think we would have purchased one. They were gorgeous, intricate and really fun to watch!

Before we had to catch the train home we got some Snitzel. Tyler thought she wouldn't like it but we ended up splitting one and I am pretty sure she enjoyed it!

We caught the 7 o'clock train home. It was a long one. After an hour Tyler thought we should be there and we had to keep reminding her that just because the trained stops doesn't mean we are there. Neither Brent or I are a fan of the train. We will take a plane ANY DAY!

It was a really fun long day. I love exploring new places but one day just didn't seem like enough for Vienna. We got it all done but I am sure we missed a lot too! Now we only have four more countries to hit before we head back to the States!

St. Steven Bascillica

Brent and I have lived in Budapest for a while now and every day we pass huge tourist attractions and never take pictures of them. This is how I knew I lived in Budapest and wasn't just visiting. Well on Wednesday that all changed!

This is a statue we walk by everyday on the way to the gym, and Brent's school! I have seen probably 100 pictures being taken of it and it was finally my turn!

The second item we pass everyday is St. Steven Basilica. It is one of the tallest churches in the world (I think) and GORGEOUS!
Since it is the Christmas season they have the Nativity all set up! I didn't really care for their carvings all that much!


The doors to the inside were so ornate!

Here is one of the alters. We went in the middle of the day, but they don't use artificial lights on the inside at all, and since it was dark and gloomy outside it was pretty dim inside as well.

This is the main alter from the very back. The roman churches were super ornate and intricate. this one had those aspects for sure but there was also a sense of simplicity which I appreciate more. It made the room feel more grand and spacious opposed to thee overwhelming churches in Rome.

Here is the main square that we cut across. Brent school is down that middle alleyway about three blocks!
Being able to walk passed this amazing building has been a real treat! It is like living close to Temple Square and walking past it every morning. I sometimes forget how amazing it is until I take a good look at it!

Chinese Market, Mall, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part I

Wednesday was another wet and snowy day in Budapest, but we had bigger plans! The Chinese Market! This is one of my favorite places because it has a lot of different things for pretty inexpensive. Originally we were going to walk about 2km to catch the tram but after seeing the snow and Tyler's face we decided to ride the metro! After the metro we found got on the tram (another first for Tyler).


This is the entrance to the Chinese Market. This is the only picture we were allowed to take because no camera were allowed. the first part of the market was under cover but the majority of it was exposed to everything. Tyler arrived knowing she wanted to buy a pair of boots (which is very European)and this place had a million different boots. She found a very sophisticated pair of boots with a three inch heel. I asked her if they were to high for her and she assured me they weren't so I said okay. After we left she told us that her mom make "freak" over the boots! So, as a disclaimer, I was informed that the heel was appropriate, so I can not be held responsible for it!
Three hours later, with frozen feet we left the market. Tyler had a new pair of boots, and a scarf. Brent left with new gloves and an awesome pair of new shoes (only $17.00) and I left with TWO new pair of boots and a pair of tights for a total of $42.50! I can't believe I spent that much but for two pair of boots I can't feel to terrible about it!

Once we were done at the Market I am pretty sure Tyler was hating us because she was so cold. We went straight to the mall where we had movie plans. The mall was a lot smaller than we anticipated, and the food choices were limited! Luckily McDonald's is good no matter where you go!

After we changed our clothes, got some food and some candy for the movie everyone was in a better mood!

Funny Story: Cade and Kristi always whistle at each other to get each others attention. When Tyler and I were looking down at a mall guide for places to eat I heard whistling. I thought to myself it was funny to hear it since it reminded me so much of Cade and Kristi. I turned to see where it was coming from and there were Cade and Kristi on the top level of the Mall, whistling at us!

After we met up with Kristi, Cade, Brandon and Monique Chapman and Rudy and were ready for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS PART I. I have been waiting FOREVER for this. I am a huge fanatic! I have also been dying to talk about the movie with anyone and everyone! Luckily, Cade and I enjoy movies a lot so the past few nights it has been all we have been talking about! If anyone wants to talk HP just let me know!

Overall it was a great day. Now if I ask Tyler she says she loved the Chinese Market but I doubt this was her thought as we were leaving originally! I am getting so used to Budapest I can not believe we are leaving in 2 1/2 weeks! It is coming to an end to quickly!

Gellert Hill

On Tuesday we headed out to one of the most famous spots in all of Budapest: Gellert Hill. This is one of the places Brent and I wanted to go before we left, so I am glad we got out and did it! You can see the top statue on the hill. It use to be a communist statue until communism fell and then it was replaced with the current statue meant to represent peace.

Here is the view as we were walking across the bridge. We did take the metro as far as we could but we just don't understand the tram system enough to make it work. Tyler has been such a good sport about walking!

Brent and Tyler in front of the gate.

This is a statue outside of The Church in the Rock (I think that is it's name), I did a pretty good job getting the bridge in the picture as well!

Here is the entrance to the church.

It was really inexpensive to get in and it came with an audio guide! I love these things! It makes the exploration so much more meaningful! Unfortunately, I didn't really learn anything to memorable this time around :(

Here is the main gathering place. There were many different rooms, in the very back right corner you can see a doorway to another room.

This was the only room that wasn't cave like. It doesn't appear to be underground either. All of the wood was donated by an artist who was upset that the room looks so dull. All the wood work is gorgeous but the plain white walls don't help it much.

After we finished at the church we continued our hike up the giant hill. Along the way we found interesting things to look at. We found a park with giant slides! This is a picture of me coming down. my bum got all wet because the puddle on the ground was also on the bottom of the slide. Lucky for me, I was wearing layers and didn't feel the wetness until some time later!

After what seemed like forever through the snow we finally made it to the top! Notice we had shed some layers because that hike really got our blood pumping.

Here is the bottom half of the monument!

And the top!


A view of the city from the top

At the top there is also a citadel, that had been turned into a wax museum. Brent and I weren't very interested in it so we just took some pictures of the outside!
I love that there are statues everywhere and none of them make sense! Who knows what this was suppose to represent!


We went down the other side of the mountain. It wouldn't have been that bad but there was snow EVERYWHERE! I hate snow so much, and Brent and Tyler thought it was just hilarious! I guess when you are as clumsy as I am snow just seems like an added risk...
Once at the bottom we headed back for the metro. Brent constantly stops to take pictures. Tyler and I don't mind waiting but he always says we should just keep going and he will catch up! By the end of the time we listened to that... our feet were wet and FREEZING!


Gellert Hill was really gorgeous. I wish we had the weather we did two weeks ago but even in the freezing cold it was still a really enjoyable time! I am so glad that we ended up doing the hike. The pictures don't even do it justice!