An evening run

Once again I joined the throng of runners after work on Margit Sziget (Margaret Island).  It is a peaceful retreat for me in the city.  And full of sites to see...

Tight rope walkers practicing on a rope hung between trees.

Kayaks cruising alongside the island.

Blind runners hanging on to a rope with "seeing" runners at the other end guiding them.

Big butts.

Little butts.

Long legs.

Short legs.

Fall leaves.

Gardens and flowers.

Kids climbing on Medieval ruins.

The stinky petting zoo.

Lovers on a bench.

Picnic-ers in the grass.

The water fountain dancing to classical music.

The sun setting behind the Buda hills.

I love this city!

Signs of Summer

Summer is here.  It arrived around the first of May, when Budapest broke its record high temperature at 32 degrees C (90F).  But its not just sunny days that show signs of summer...

Tourists walking around the city with their maps,

Asking for directions in English.

Cruise ships coming up the Danube,

Waving up at you on the bridge.

Cotton from poplar trees flying everywhere,

into our living room,

our bedroom,

even downstairs where no windows are open.

Windows open in the day

And the night.

The fan blowing on the bed.

Lighter blankets on us as we sleep.

That ring around my tub getting a little darker.

Men on bikes, 

Women on bikes,

Kids on bikes.

Runners with no shirts on Margaret Island.

Sunbathers in the grass.

Kids playing in city fountains.

Allergies.

Flowers.

Green leaves.

Teachers reminding each other, "Five more weeks!"

Exploring the neighborhood

This is where we live.

The second and third floors (to the left in the picture) are ours. The two windows on the second floor are guest bedrooms (where you can stay if you come visit!) and the top two windows that stick out above the roof are our living room and kitchen.

This is our street.

The Coca Cola sign sits above a little shop where we've bought fruit, meat, cheese, cherry cola, and magnum bars. It's a one minute walk from our flat. Convenient!

This is a nearby Hungarian restaurant about a seven minute walk from our house. It was recommended by a friend of Will's. And Sunday lunch is half price! I think we've found our new Sunday afternoon lunch spot. :)

This was my first authentic Hungarian meal. Veal and potatoes Hungarian style. It was so good!

This is a small park just near our flat. Quiet, no one around, a good place to read a book.

Margaret Island is a seven minute walk from our flat as well. A whole island in the middle of the Danube River with beautiful gardens, walking and running paths, fountains, old churches, Roman ruins, and more.

One of the views on Margaret Island...

There were lots of people just hanging out in their swimming suits getting a tan. My kind of place!

This is the ruins of the convent where Princess Margit (whom the Island is named after) lived and died.

That's our neighborhood! We're in a really convenient location to get all around the city. We've spent a lot of time walking and exploring all the places and beautiful buildings our new home has to offer. Recently we also got a public transport pass. It's official - we're regulars in Budapest!

Now we're spending our time learning the transport system and getting ourselves to different districts all around the city. My impression so far: I think I'm going to like living here.

Where is Budapest?

I'm sure many family and friends had to look up Budapest on the map when we said we were moving there. So here is some info about our home-to-be.

It is landlocked between six other countries: Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Romania.

Very smart people come from Hungary, including Houdini (the magician/escape artist), the guy who invented the Rubik Cube, the guy who discovered vitamin C, the guy who invented the atomic and hydrogen bombs, and a lot of Nobel Prize winners.

It was communist until 1989.

It is said to have the most beautiful Parliament building in the world, which sits on the Danube River.

It snows in winter. (Not sure how I feel about this yet...)

Hungary sits on 80-something thermal springs and has turned these hot-springs into Roman/Turkish bath houses. Spa here I come!

There are many hiking and cycling trails, parks, and camping sites to enjoy throughout Hungary. Margaret Island sits in the middle of the Danube in Budapest, containing these fun activities.

We will live near that bridge on the Buda side of the city (the left side of the picture.) It's the same side as Buda Castle, which will loom over our new apartment.

We're definitely looking forward to exploring our new city and enjoying some of the things Kenya doesn't offer. 4 weeks!