We await your arrival

I am sorry we haven’t posted anything substantial in so long. (Sorry Steve, I don’t count Mr. T) Not having internet has been a pain. We are able to check email but we can not upload photos or surf the internet. Anytime we want to do any real internet work we need to head to a café. So, the posts have been short, sweet and few. Sorry.

So, now a real post (sent from a café:)

We moved a few weeks ago. We love our new flat. It is still in Budapest but in a more residential area. I took a walk yesterday and really got a good look at the neighborhood-and I love it! The bus is close and only 3 stops away from the metro that takes you right to down town. Total commute is about 35 minutes. People here think that is long and to far away from the center. For us it is nothing. In Seattle we commuted 45 minutes by bus to get home. And sometimes the commute was longer when there was a baseball game. So 35 minutes is great!

Our place is smaller than our last flat but has many windows and even a small yard. I am anxious to start a small potted herb garden. We get a little sun but the tree outside the window blocks the sun from beating in all day long. This is good, especially in the summer. Our couch folds out to accommodate guests. Sorry there is no separate room but the way the flat was designed you will have the privacy you need:)

Here are a few photos. We await your arrival:)

Our patio outside the bedroom.

The Kitchen. They call this an American kitchen
because it is open to the rest of the house.
Very unique for Hungary.

The living room

My wonderful desk and beautiful view!

The bedroom with the door that opens up to the patio

We will post again soon. We have had so much going on that we have a lot to share with you.
-diane

Paprika…a new country?

Steven’s mother sent this “You might be a Redneck if…” calendar message.  We had a good laugh!

Mr T. in Budapest!

“I love Mr T.  From the moment I saw him on A-Team and then to his (less fortunate) career in so-called pro wrestling, he is a 1980s icon for me.
 
 Mr. T is everywhere on billboards in Budapest.  He is challenging men to eat a Snicker candy bar to strengthen their resolve and buck-up.  This advertising campaign is either just good ‘ol fashioned marketing  bravado or a nod to the crappy economy."
      

     - Steven

Awwww....

Still no internet...But I have time to post a picture...the photo was taken at the United Way Dinner Gala.

April 21, 2009

Will post a long update on Sunday...

Still no internet at home...but we have Twitter now!

The internet trials and tribulations continue...  In the meantime, we set-up a Twitter account.  Twitter is a quick way to update folks.  We can send by mobile phone a SMS (text message) telling people what we are up to.  Twitter only allows you to use 140 letters, so brevity is a must.

Hopefully this will help us circumvent not having internet sometimes.  Yet another way to communicate!

Take a look to the left under Diane & Steven to see the latest Twitter updates.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to you!  ...we miss you.

We are still in flux from our move and don't have internet at home (yet).  We are actually in a mall in a casino on Easter Sunday on the internet!   ...did I mention drinking a beer :-)

We've had two Easter dinners.  At the first dinner, the Fülop family invited us into their lovely home.  We had dinner in their garden...and Diane was properly watered.  We'll post photos and explain why Diane was watered soon.

At our second dinner, the family who owns the house we live in invited us upstairs to enjoy their dinner.  So nice of them!  This is a great example how Hungarians are both nice folks and very hospitable.

We hope the Easter bunny visited you!

Our new home

We have moved! I am working on a detailed description of the past week-a trip to the country, moving day....gas man. For now just know that we have moved and are doing well...but have no internet. So, like back in September, we are visiting our favorite internet cafes and McDonalds... Once we are connected we will be on Skype and be able to email and update the blog. For now enjoy the 2 photos I took this morning:)
-Diane

morning sun on our front door

the rose garden before the bloom

The Gasman cometh...and taketh.

We thought several months ago that the Russian-Ukrainian gas problem would result in no natural gas for Hungary.  Oh no!  There are more sinister powers in the world!

Two days ago there was a knock at the door.  Waiting on the other side were two technicians from the natural gas company.  They were here to disconnect (shut down!) our gas.  Why?  Our property management company--which does little "management"--had not paid the gas bill.  There is a much longer blog entry about this so-called property management company that we will save for another time.

So now, with one week away from moving to our new flat (thank goodness!), we have no hot water and are not able use our stove.  So the electric water kettle and microwave are coming in handy.

...and the journey continues...

p.s.  We stumbled across this song aptly named "The Gasman Cometh" by Flanders & Swan.  It very accurately describes our life...at least it do so humorously.

Weekend Itinerary

The sun is out and the weatherman says a high of 18c (65 degrees Fahrenheit)! Spring is hear! (?) We have a busy weekend ahead of us. We are heading to a concert on Friday night to see a band Steven and I loved when we were in college! Does anyone remember "Sisters of Mercy"? I am sure we will feel old. I was a huge fan in the days when I wore all black and combat boots. I wonder how much I will stick out in my orange coat?

Saturday we are heading to Mezőkövesd with our friends Adri and Józsi. We are very excited to see the country and spend time with our new friends. I am sure we will have lots of photos to post on Monday.

And then, Sunday is the day! We move!!! We are very excited to move into our new flat. Once we get settled we will post photos. Until then, I sit hear surrounded by boxes calling me to pack. So, have a great weekend and I will talk to you on Monday.
-diane

Photos taken at a flower stand near our flat.
(Taken in the beginning of March)