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.
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| 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. |
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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.
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| "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. |
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| In Rust, we went swimming in Lake Neusiedl. It really was lovely. |
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| Also, I think both Austria and Hungary must be expecting a baby boom. There were storks everywhere! |
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| 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. |
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| Even Hanga was able to join in the fun! |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| The Haydnsaal |
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| 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!
