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Published: November 11th 2007
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Public Sauna
I do not remember the name, but will try to look it up but this was one of the public sauna with natural hot spring water that we went to. The sulfur smell was not as bad at this one as the one we went to last time, but the outdoor hot pool on a cold October night felt very good until I had to get out. I am only a week late, but better late than never. Last weekend I visited my sister and her family in Germany but made a little side trip to Budapest to visit a friend Jamie and I met when we toured in Budapest several years ago. Tom is doing well, still working with a tour agency, but trying to get out on his own. On Wednesday while I was there, I went to one of the natural hot steam sauna while Tom was at work. It was cleaner than the one we went to the last time we were there, but not as old so I did not enjoy it as much. Then when Tom got off work, we met for dinner and went to a different one. It too was not as interesting as the oldest one in Budapest that Tom took Jamie and I too while visiting, but what was fun was getting in the warm pool outdoors under the stars and watching the steam roll off the pool on the cold winter's night. I was surprised by all of the people there ranging in age from young kids to very old adults. It is interesting how the saunas
Tom
This is Tom; he was our tour guide when Jamie and I visited in the spring 2006. I have stayed in contact with him and last year he invited me to his place for New Years. I declined but decided to make a short trip to see him before heading to Germany to visit my sister. are a core part of many cultures. I hate to admit, but I think it is becoming a norm for me as well. Maybe I can talk Mark into installing one off the porch this winter...lol
I made it to/from Budapest just fine and into Frankfurt. I was a little nervous about taking the train, but all worked out well. It was running late by the time we reached Jetta's stop which had me even more nervous because the trains are normally right on time then when I could not find the button to push that opens the door, I felt stupid and started to panic. I finally found it and hopped off the last car. I am sure Jetta and the kids were wondering about me since I was on the last car and took me awhile to get the door open, but everything was fun. They are very close to the station; we could have even walked, which is nice.
I know Jetta does not like their new home, but I really liked it. There was a lot of dark wood work around the doors and I liked the flow. I think it was the small
rooms Jetta does not like, but I personally really liked it. When I arrived, we shared stories then exchange Christmas gifts. It was not really like Christmas, but it was fun watching the kids open their gifts. I got Liam a chest set from Russia that he had been looking at when he came to visit. He did to say much but his eyes said a lot. Of course the next day we had to play, which was fun. I got Paige a music box of St. Basil's as well as a wood jewelry box. The St. Basil's gift was not that expensive and was not her main gift, but she sure did enjoy it. That goes to show, the price is not what is as important as the thought. The other gift that will keep them thinking of me was the Star Wars Pez candy dispenser that Dad and I got while I was in Las Vegas. It was suppose to be for them when they came to visit me in Russia, but my care package did not arrive in time so I brought it with me to Germany. Needless to say, it makes a lot of noise and
At the Castle
This was all of us after lunch at the castle. It was really pretty neat and their leaves were just past peak season, but still looked nice. We never got rained on, a little mist from time to time and we drove through rain (so I am told as I slept), but all of the walking around was mostly dry. was a big hit even though it did cost $30!
I got a lot of neat gifts from the Kaune's. The one that I will use most is the all-Regions DVD player that will play dvds from any country so now I can bring my dvd's back from the States and watch them or buy any here and not worry about it when I get back to the States. It is even a dual voltage for 110 or 220. It plays Russian dvds but I have not tried Europe or US ones yet. Pat got me a great book on leadership which I have started, but like me, I have not finished it yet. One of the fun gifts that is working out well is my new candy door decoration. So far, it has not been stolen and the candy is slowly disappearing (like it is suppose to do). I think it is my friends mostly...lol Paige and Liam also made me a new one for my new flat when I move in there. Hopefully no one steals it, but with the way things are here, you never know.
On Friday we got up and went to a
Castle to look at and enjoy lunch. It was really neat, see some of the pictures for the view from the castle. On the way home we stopped at the P/X, which was so nice. It was just like shopping at home but being in the middle of Germany. I did not buy much, but it was just the idea that I could and that I could read labels and know the names of stuff. Up and down all the rows we went.
On Saturday, we baked cookies and made buckeyes before the Buckeye game. The only problem, we forgot Europe changed times and the US had not so we were an hour late for the game, which was okay because the first half the Buckeyes did not look so go but controlled the second half. Too bad they could not get their stuff together yesterday for Illinois - there goes their number one ranking. Next weekend I am heading to the US Embassy for the OSU verses Michigan game. No matter who you are cheering for, I think it is going to be a great game especially since both teams loss this past weekend. It was going to
Castle Restaurant
Jetta and Vince at the castle restaurant. be Michael, Dasha, Alan and I but we just found out the Embassy will not allow non-US citizens in this part of the Embassy any more so I think it will just be Alan and I. The best news, it is a noon (Eastern) kick off so 8 PM for us - perfect! Go Bucks!
On the way home after getting rid of most of my stuff with the Kaune's Aeorflot told me I was over my limit so I packed my carry on full with candy, cake mixes, etc. that Jetta bought me so I could get below my weight limit. This was the first time I had to do that. Then they made me rescreen everything even though they sat there staring at me the whole time. I am glad there was no line at this point. All and all, it was a great trip except the snow on the ground in Moscow. It is winter here and we get a little snow flurries just about every day even though it is not sticking.
Best close!
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