Our First Day Off!

Friday was our first day "off". We could hardly believe it was only one week ago that we landed in Budapest! Here is a belated picture of that day sent to us by our good friend Attila who sat with us on the plane. We enjoyed his company so much and hope to keep in touch. 

Attila, our seat-mate on the plane to Budapest

THE LAUNDRY EXPERIENCE: Well, the time had come to do laundry for the first time. We took the giant key that unlocks the laundry room and headed to the washer which opened to reveal a metal barrel into which you laid the clothing. The wash cycle took a whole hour. Unfortunately the spin cycle didn't work too well so I wondered how many days it would take to dry Dave's heavy sweatshirt, but we were happily surprised that it only took 24 hours to dry. In the pictures you can see our Hungarian clothes dryer : ) 

keys that look like they would open a castle door!

Hungarian clothes dryer!

drying clothes on the radiator 

CASTLE RUINS AT SZIGLIET:
Shaun, Sondi and boys picked us up for an afternoon drive up to Szigliet to see the ruins of the castle built in 1262. As we drove, we passed this gypsy man with his donkeys. 

gypsy on road to castle

The village has many houses with thatched roofs, and the streets are winding and narrow. The weather up the castle hill was windy and also chilly, (despite our long underwear!), but it was fascinating to go back in history. Sondi and I sang several songs together in the castle chapel. The acoustics were amazing!! 

castle ruins at Szigliet

thatched roofs of village 

LAKE BALATON: 
On the way home we stopped to see beautiful Lake Balaton, almost as big as Okanagan Lake. It was a wonderful day, and we appreciated the Carlaws so much for taking time to show us around! 

beautiful lake Balaton