Budapest getaway

Thanks to an offer from the Schras to have Justin stay at their house for a couple of nights, Rebecca and I were able to have a little getaway to Budapest, Hungary. We stayed at a very pleasant and inexpensive hotel within easy walking distance to all the sights. Plus, it had air conditioning (a rarity in most of our part of Europe other than some of the grocery stores)!

The train left right on time!

The Budapest Keleti Pu train station built in 1884...very cool.

No locations outside of Hungary :/

The Heroes' Square

Oktogon Station on the 2nd oldest underground line in Europe/the World...opened in 1896

Revolutionaries tore the emblem out of the flag during the 1956 revolution...the hole in the flag is a symbol of Hungary's freedom after the collapse of communism.This flag waves next to the grave of the unknown soldier in the garden infront of the Parliament building.

Statue of Imre Nagy, who was elected as prime minister after the 1956 revolution. The Soviets later arrested him, had a secret trial, and then executed him. This statue stands facing the parliament building.

This is me having an in depth conversation with a statue of Imre Kalman...Hungarian born cellist and composer.

We're on a boat!

Enjoying a beverage as we cruise on the Donau and enjoy the lights of Budapest

Castle Hill...all lit up!

Rebecca enjoying a smoothy and sandwich.

The Hungarian Parliament building as seen from the Buda side of the Donau

Comments

Who are these kids at ICSV...

Hi everyone... The first week and a half of school has been absolutely amazing! We have had some great opportunities to begin building lasting relationships with the students that God has brought to Vienna to be educated at the International Christian School of Vienna. Rebecca has been adjusting well to her role as secondary secretary. She is learning quickly the many demands of her new role and is doing quite well in supporting us teachers and the rest of the staff. Rebecca hard at work I have been really enjoying my classes. I have a total of 43 students spread out over 4 periods. The students I have represent 14 different home nations, with many of the students who are "Austrian" are first generation, so they are of other nationalities as well. I have also had the opportunity to begin working with the soccer team...again, many nationalities are represented on the field, truly an international squad. Here are some pictures of the team training at the local club...

and baby makes four...

that's right...our little family will soon become a foursome. We have found out that Rebecca is 6 weeks pregnant! There is definitely "something in the water" as all the families that live within our block have recently had a baby or are currently pregnant. Our baby will be the 6th baby born to ICSV staff in a span of less than a year (first one was born in early November and we will be welcoming our new addition in September). So, kind of unexpected, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless!

The day that changed our lives...

Today (Nov 10) is Justin's birthday. Obviously, the birthday of your child holds a special meaning. Over the course of the last three days, I have been reminded of how exciting a birthday truly is. His excitement reminds me of the excitement we felt in anticipation of his birth, and, I think the excitement that God feels as his children enter into relationship with HIM. Justin seems to think that we will forget that today is his birthday. I base this on the simple fact that he has reminded us no less than 5 times/day since Sunday. I'm not sure exactly why, he hasn't quite been this excited about his birthday in the past; maybe it has something to do with this being the first birthday in Austria...I'm just not sure. But the joy that he carries (and expects from everyone around him) in anticipation of this day is a bit infectious. As many of you are aware, Justin was born in the middle of our senior year in high school. We were so emotionally unprepared (being so youn...

Johnstein!

Search This Blog