Thank you!

Thanks for reading my blog. I know I didn't do a very good job but it was my first ever blog. I wish I could have blogged more but I am forgetful. Anyways, my family all got back safely and we are enjoying being back in America. Going to Europe was a new and unique experience and if I ever go back again, I'd probably prefer going to a more English friendly country and I would not go during the school year (I'm still catching up in my work). Hungary was interesting and fun but I love my home sweet home called America. Thanks again and good bye/szia!! :) 

Me, Ryan and Kevin

Traveling across Europe!

Since last time, I've been to Budapest again, Jesolo and Venice in Italy, and Prague! These are the things we've done there. In Italy, Drobollach, Balaton, and Prague, We rented a car from Fox Rentals in Hungary.

Italy!: In Italy, we went to Jesolo Beach and stayed at a hotel over looking the beach. Since we went in October which is out of season, we had troubles finding stores, hotels and restaurants that were open. We were able to have Italian pizza and pasta, both were delicious. The type of pasta that we had was soft and was good and easy to eat. The way they made pizza at the place we went to was deliciously baked and the ingredients that were used were different and more gourmet to the regular pizza made anywhere else. The next day we went to Venice! We went over to Venice by taking a boat over to the main area of Venice from  Punta Sabbioni. Venice was amazing to see because of all the bridges and water buses you took to get everywhere.When we went in the middle of Venice, we got lost in the alleys and wound up on the other side so we had to take a water bus but it was seven euros for each person so we had to use almost all the euros we had. We found a ATM later, thankfully so we weren't in big trouble. On the day we were going to leave Italy, my brother and my bags were stolen in Jesolo. I had a lot of my personal belongings were in that bag but in the end, none of our electronics or very valuable things were taken so we left that day anyways. We stayed in Italy for two days and went to Venice for one of the days.











      Austria: On our way back from Italy and because it was a long trip back to Gyor, we stayed in a small town of Drobollach in Austria. The town had a large lake and beautiful mountains so we went walking near the lake and my brother and mother went bike riding on the Alps-Adriatic Trail.

      Hungary : The next day after we finally made it back to Gyor, we left for a day adventure to Lake Balaton which had a very nice there. For the day we explored the area and went to the village there and saw a overview of the lake. We also saw and looked around the Tihany abbey there.
         A week later, my aunt and her husband came to Gyor! We showed them around Gyor and helped them get settled in their hotel that was close to our flat. A couple days later we all went to Budapest again. My dad, aunt and her husband went to go see the Buda Castle, Buda Hill and the Opera house. While they did that and because we had already seen all of that the last time we went, my mom, brother, one of our Hungarian friends, Peter and I went to the House of Terror Museum. For a description of the museum go here: http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/hungary/p/terrorhouse.htm. I'm not sure how to explain it but it's a memorial for those who were tortured and killed by Hungarian Nazis.

     Czech Republic: A week later, we went with my aunt and her husband to Prague in the Czech Republic because my great grandmother lived there. There we went to the Old Town Square and saw the  Astronomical Clock. We also went and walked across the Charles Bridge. We mostly walked around the city and watched the street performers and looked at the building around. We also went to the pub that my aunt and her husband met each other 5 years ago, and it was really nice there. One of the restaurants we went to in Prague was called Afoma Restaurant and I had some delicious spaghetti there.

Now: Since we went to so many places in the last couple of weeks. My whole family is taking a break from any more traveling.

I think we've done everything! :D

Since last time I blogged, we've done so much. We celebrated my brother's birthday with a signature Hungarian Doberge cake. Every part of the seven layers in the chocolate cake was delicious and the caramel on top was an eaxtra treat. We also went to Budapest for a day and went around the city. That day we went on a lot of the metros, tramps and trains. My family and I have been getting use to living in Gyor but there are some troubles and challenges. Having no one else to talk to my own age in English is difficult. Recently me and my brother have been going to a religious group where we sing song, read the bible, and review a lesson over it. The people there are around our age and some of them speak English so it's been great going there.

Doberge Cake

Budapest

The lastest thing my family and I have done is go to the Vienna Parter Amusement Park. It was so much fun because even if we didn't know the language, in Vienna they speak mostly German, we could see the rides and ride them. I, myself, don't like rides or heights so I didn't go on many but it was still fun to taste the food and see how everything lite up at night. Next, We are going to Italy! We'll be going somewhere on the outskirts of Venice. I hope we'll have an adventure there too!
 :D

         

Time Zone Confusion

We have made it safely to our Gyor apartment! :) Our first flight, Iowa to Chicago, went smoothly and was short. I don't remember the last time I was on a plane and I personal do not like heights so I was a little scared about the flight but it wasn't too bad. Then we had our long overnight trip from Chicago to Heathrow, London on a larger plane. Every seat had a personal small TV screen and was able to watch movies and TV shows. I was able to watch Brave and Dark Shadows but the movies would skip, freeze or if you exited out of the movie and started it again, it would start from somewhere in the beginning. But I was glad to have that entertainment for the long flight. The flight was about 7 hours long and we were served a dinner (cheese pasta) and breakfast that were offered during our trip. The flight attendants were nice and patient. Over all, the trip to London was splendid and I enjoyed it very much. After we got to London, we almost immediately got on a plane to Vienna. We mostly slept on that trip to make up for the loss of sleep on the overnight flight. Once we got in Vienna, my dad came to get us with a Hungarian chauffeur to take us to our flat in Gyor. Through the past couple of days, my brother, mom and me have been trying to get use to the time zone change which is seven hours ahead from our regular time in Iowa. Also contributing to the amount of time we've been sleeping lately is the jet lag. I think I have needed the most sleep due to this because of my age.
      Through the week, we've met with some of my dad's Hungarian friends and colleagues. I have also been able to participate in a futball (soccer) practice with a team formed by a Hungarian friend of ours. The field was smaller then the soccer field I'm used to and since I haven't practiced in a while, I was very sore afterwards.
 With more to come.....Szia!! (Bye!) :)

Cedar Rapids Airport 

Ahoy!

Ahoy mateys! Welcome to the blog of the Traveling Pirates! My family and I will be going to Hungary for 2 months and I will be writing of our oversea travels. My family consists of me, Carmen, my brother, Ryan, my dad, Kevin, and my mom, Karyn. My dad, a university professor, will be going there for research on Hungarian culture and will be doing a study of obesity. He has been to Hungary before but this time he will be taking us too! When we get to Gyor, Hungary where we will be staying, I will be blogging weekly. Follow us in our exciting trip and thank you!

~ Carmen