History, Music, and Adventure!

We've spent the last couple of weeks in Sopron, but we've had the opportunity to take several afternoon excursions, including a couple in Austria. I've been glad to learn more about history and music, and I've had fun with our adventures.

The weekend before last, we took a trip to Austria. Right before we crossed the border, we stopped at the site of the Pan European Picnic. I knew nothing about this historic event, but as I read information signs around the park, I was very moved. Concerning that day,  the last prime minister of East Germany is recorded as saying that "the fall of the Berlin Wall begin in Sopron." As I learned more about the Pan-European Picnic and the East Germans who broke through the border leaving everyone they knew and everything they owned behind, I began to understand what he meant. You can read a summary of the events of that day here.

My feet. The Austrian-Hungarian border. Since the border is open (no need to stop or show a passport), I was able to run back and forth between Hungary and Austria several times. It was kind of silly but a lot of fun.

"Renee, Rust is more romantic than Paris." ~Juju. I don't think she's ever been to Paris, but neither have I, so  I'll agree.

In Rust, we went swimming in Lake Neusiedl. It really was lovely.

Also, I think both Austria and Hungary must be expecting a baby boom. There were storks everywhere!

On Saturday, we took a trip to a nearby Adventure Park in the forest. The Adventure Park consisted of leveled ropes courses and zip lines.

Even Hanga was able to join in the fun!

The next week, the girls, their grandfather, and I took a trip to the famous Széchenyi estate. We learned more about the noble family that helped Hungary modernize. 

The next day, Sunday, we took another trip into Austria. (Sopron, our town,  is on the border). In Austria, we visited Esterházy. Haydn was the court musician at the Esterházy palace! Once I discovered that, I had the Surprise Symphony running through my head for the entire tour.

The Haydnsaal

After our trip to Austria, Istvan, Hanga and I went bobsledding through the forest! It was beautiful and very fast.

On Saturday, we leave for another trip to Balaton, and then Eszter, Hanga, Attila and I will spend a week in Budapest while the older girls visit Transylvania with their father. I'll try to post after Budapest. My time in Hungary is flying by! I can't believe that I head home in 3 weeks!

Adventures in Southern Hungary (and beyond!)

Sunday night, we returned from a 12 day adventure in Southern Hungary! We spent most of our time in Pécs, Hungary, which is a superb city and one of the 2010 cultural capitals of Europe. We also visited Barcs, Vilany, Lake Balaton, and many other Hungarian cities along the way. One fine morning, we even took a trip to Essek, Croatia. Since we left the Schengen zone, I finally got a Hungary stamp on my passport! (I didn't have one because I flew into Vienna and didn't need to show my passport at the Austrian-Hungarian border). 

Anyways, together, Eszter and I took over 1500 pictures, so I had a lot to sort through! Here are a few of my favorites/trip highlights. They aren't in chronological order.

Szécsényi Square, Pécs. The building with the green roof is a mosque turned church that was built during the Turkish invasion.

The Synagouge in Pécs. I really wanted to go inside, but like the church above, it's under renovation and won't open again till September. I guess I"ll have to come back!

Pécs is a romantic city! Lovers from around the world leave padlocks along this street to symbolize their love.

For some reason, I just thought this was interesting.

During my alone time, I spent the better part of a day touring the Zsolnay Cultural District. Pécs is famous around the world for its ceramics.

An artist hand painting ceramics in the factory. I was also able to watch a man hand-make leather gloves! We had a conversation of sorts. (I say of sorts because I spoke more Hungarian than he spoke English, which meant that our conversation wasn't through words.)

The city was hosting a Leonardo da Vinci Exhibit, which I visited.

Ceramic roof tiles from the Zsolnay factory

An early Christin tomb in Pécs! I was able to visit several museums, and this one was one of my favorites.

An old church that we visited on our way to the Croatian border. The paintings were very, very old! Also, the designers or builders made a mistake on the dome, which is why the pillar was erected.

Over the river Drava in Croatia! I looked for a picture where my hair was behaving, but I couldn't find one at this location. It was windy!

The flags in Essek, Croatia

Almost as soon as we entered Croatia, we began to notice bullet holes in the buildings, even in the village homes. These holes are remnants of the War for Independence that Croatia engaged in from 1991-1995. The nation is still in recovery. To realize that this war (and damage) took place during my lifetime was pretty jarring.

On a different note, we spent a good portion of our trip visiting friends and relatives. At one point, we visited Istvan's cousins, who breed parrots for a living.  The adult parrots were beautiful, but I thought the babies were  ugly. In fact, they were so ugly that they were kind of cute because of it!

A cave in Pécs. Mom, this picture is for you. I should also upload a picture of the volcano at Balaton. Fortunately, it's extinct, but you never know. They should clean it just in case.

This picture isn't in focus, but it's one of the only one I have of the sunflowers. In Hungary, Austria, and Croatia, you can find huge fields of sunflowers everywhere! They are grown for their oil.

Another cousin of Istvan owns a small farm. The girls and I recently read Charlotte's Web, so they checked the pig pen and found a spider!

Another picture from the farm. Can you guess what it is? Christmas trees!!! I'm not kidding.

Lake Balaton

This picture may not be the most flattering, but I think it's hilarious. There's a second head in the backseat, but she's asleep too.  Anyway, it sums up a significant portion of our trip. After dozens of excursions, we all needed rest!

The TV tower. Yes, we went up. It's 176 meters tall.

One night, we visited some friends in the country and took a beautiful evening walk!

I'll have to double check with Eszter on the name of this architect, but he mixes ancient Hungarian motifs with modern styles. His work can be found all over Hungary

A real medieval castle! This castle was a bulwark against the Turks. They were never able to take it.

 Anyway, it seems crazy to sum up such a full, full trip with only these highlights. I've left out so much! Since then, however, we've had more adventures, so if I don't catch up with blogging now, I never will!  Viszlát!