K and J in Hungary

Hello Family and Friends,

It is our last day of Easter break and the conclusion of our first Eurotrip. I will mark this momentus occasion with a poem:

K and J
have had a week away
travelling in eastern europe
to shop, sightsee and play!

We left on a train,
new adventures to gain
in Carinthia, Slovenia,
and Budapest in the rain

In Carinthia we sat and ate
watched highschool musical and stayed up late
took a walk in the countryside,
We conclude: Austrian hospitality is great!

Slovenia got sand in our toes,
we saw the three bridges all in rows,
the beautiful castle was a sight to see (at 6am)
And finally Jenna pierced her nose.

Budapest, Hungary was our last stop,
The Easter market compelled us to shop.
The Basilica was our favourite place,
but the view from the Halász básztya was also on top.

Tomorrow evening our journey ends,
a piece of culture each country lends
We gained a lot from our trip
10 pounds of weight and new found friends!


We hope that you enjoyed our poem! We will conclude this entry with a list of things that we learned, in case you are planning a similar european journey with your entourage.

1. Take a walk in the Carinthian countryside and take time to converse with local farm animals. It is surprising how much you can learn about yourself by talking to a sheep.

2. Although it is important to realize and celebrate our differences, we were surprised to learn just how similar lifestyles can be. For example typical monday night activities in the middle of the Austrian hills are: watching Greys Anatomy and stuffing our faces with waffles, chocolate, chips, pizza, popcorn and fizzy beverages (does this sound familiar?). The only difference Jenna and Kathy found was that the banter was in German and it was Monday night instead of Thursday.

3. If you are lost and hungry in Slovenia, go in to the chinese restaurant just off the main street for some flaming icecream, the most delicious duck and enthusiastic chinese service.

4. Expect to spend a combined time of 5+2.5+8.5+2+9.5=28.5 hours on a train. Note: this might lead to behaviour that is comonly categorized as crazy. Examples are; climbing on top of and hanging out in the raftors of the train (these are strictly reserved for luggage); yelling at innocent hungarian men and calling them Mum and asking them for cookies; dressing up as forlorn europeans and engaging in a photoshoot.

5. Slovenian pigeons have great aim.

6. Never combine Finns, red wine and windows that open above a bed. Unless you plan on doing lots of laundry during your journey.

7. "Never Have I Ever" is great fun when it goes international. Who knew Uruguay, Finland, the US, Mexico and Canada all had so much in common.

8. Try to avoid flying barstools in Hungarian restaurants. (although we still agree the food was worth it).

9. Take the time to enjoy scenery during the day as well as at night (especially in Budapest).

10. A grain of salt and a tub of margarine goes a loonnnng way. It is good for: disinfecting with saline solution, seasoning, tequila, bread, chapstick and making carbonara for a crowd.


That is all for now. We hope that our tips will come in handy if you decide to take a european adventure!!
Hope everything is great back home.

Kathy and Jenna

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