Monday reflections

- A bit surreal - sitting at breakfast in hotel lobby with Sarah, eating European breakfast (meat, veggies, granola, roll, dried fruit, sparkling water and coffee) watching her dance along to a Bee Gees song playing...what is it about other country's fascination with American music? I am sure they have some wonderful music of their own - I would rather listen to that

- got our van but the battery is dead - have it parked outside hotel, most likely the only Toyota Sienna in the  whole city of Papa

- Jake really likes his walks around the block, so much to sniff...no one seems to pick up poop around here, I think that is why they have "no dog" signs at the entrance to their parks; our friend Kellie said as long as your dog is on a leash and you pick up after it, they don't seem to mind if you take your dog into a park. We have been told that most dogs in Papa are for security reasons only and are kept outside and bark a lot...we've seen this already although one house we looked at yesterday had the cutest Yorkie named Molly and she was definitely an indoor dog

- Jeff commented that he hasn't seen one police car since we've been here. I saw a couple parked outside the police station

- I've got to learn more Hungarian! The sweetest little Hungarian lady tried to communicate with me and Grace outside the yummy pizza place (where we have eaten three lunches in a row...good and cheap). She was the one using her English and was able to communicate to me that she has relatives in Sarasota, FL and Rochester, NY. She wanted to say more but I didn't understand her. We plan to hire someone to teach our family

- Saw three houses yesterday. All houses seem to ask for 400,000 Forint for rent...that is equivalent to $2,000 rent which is very good for this area! That is the limit that the U.S. military has set for what they will pay for rent and all the landlords seem to know that. Not too many houses with 4 bedrooms, which is what we are looking for. I understand since the families are fairly small here. 

- There has been fog for the last two days...very thick. This is common in winter throughout parts of Europe. 

- Still having trouble getting to sleep but I know I'l get used to the time change in a few days

- We have been so blessed with some really nice people, nice hotel and exciting adventures awaiting us!

Sunday - 2nd full day in Hungary - Tania's thoughts

- Church bells...so pretty! There are a number of beautiful, historic churches in Papa. I will post some pics soon
- Jake enjoyed his early morning walk...saw 4 people walking their dogs and had a few people say Jo Reggelt! (Good morning in Hungarian)
- Walked to Interspar  It's a large grocery store, based out of the UK. Very modern with everything we would need. I already found the discount diapers...2/3 the price of the pampers.
- While out walking you can seen many of the Communist-era high-rise apartment buildings. They have tried to make them look nicer by painting them with bright colors
- It's a beautiful, sunny day...Jeff is out with the four older kids, walking to pick up some pizza for lunch
- I saw a Gypsy/Roma lady in Interspar with her two little boys.  I smiled at her and she smiled back...so sweet. From what I understand, they are not always treated kindly by others but there is a growing Christian outreach to them. Maybe the Lord will lead us in that direction
- We met our translator and she helped us with house hunting...very sweet lady. She spent a number of years in the US and has wonderful English skills
- Our new friends invited us over for dinner.,,had a great time with their four children...three girls and a boy, all around the same age as our kids.
- We walked back to the hotel after dinner...about 15 minutes...cold and so very foggy - I knew that I was not in Charleston...very different and European feeling
- Rachel and I were up til 2:30 and 3:30 am...trying to transition to European time

Television.

The t.v. here is mostly in Hungarion. But it's okay. They also have a big park  and hot baths! We are doing very well.

Grace.

Our hotel

The hotel we are staying in is very nice. The people here are nice. We are staying in two rooms. They both have bathrooms, and bedrooms. And one of our rooms has a kitchen! We also are looking for a house. We saw a nice house yesterday. Three dogs live next door!  I hope you all are well!  Grace.                                                            

We are here!

Our family arrived safely in Papa, Hungary. We're staying at the Hotel Villa Classica

I'm a bit tired but will try to give some of my first impressions. I will have the girls write some tomorrow.

First impressions:
- colorful buildings...old and quaint
- really nice people
- flat land going to some rolling hills...looks like it will be beautiful in the spring
- enjoy taking our dog Jake on his potty walk around the downtown rather than our neighborhood in Charleston, SC...much more to see....yes, I brought a poop bag with me
- food is good so far, Rebecca and I especially like the sparkling water or water with gas as they refer to it
- weather is cold and overcast but no snow...looking forward to the snow
- Americans here have been wonderful! We have already had one friend, Kellie, bring over some breakfast food for us and another, Lisa and Corey, chat for awhile and show us a great restaurant, with more invites to come and visit in the future,,,wonderful welcome
- kids are enjoying it though hopefully we will get a house soon since they are already antsy to get out of the hotel
- need to learn some Hungarian

There is much more but I'm off to bed! Will post some pictures soon!

More thoughts from Rachel

Five more days till we get on the plane & I'm going to miss all of our friends and family.

Grace's comments about our move

Hi all our friends back at home! We are all going to miss you.

Mom, Rebecca, Nathan, and Sarah are going in five days, and me, Dad, Rachel, and Jake are leaving in six days. We hope you all are well!