Well I got sick. Monday night I felt a sore throat coming on, got little to no sleep because breathing was uncomfortable and my grandfather makes way too much noise. Woke up Tuesday feeling terrible.  We were supposed to do the "Ilonka whirlwind visitation tour" where we drive the 1.5 hours to Sarborgard (my grandfathers home town), see 5 different families (all who want to stuff you silly), hit the cemetery where their parents and her husband are buried, then drive back to Budapest before it gets dark.

I was so not up for that. I told them to go without me and just let me sleep the day away. I figured it would be easier with an empty apartment. Ilonka was not going to have it; as if I can't take care of myself. So she called everyone up and cancelled, telling them I wasn't feeling well. It sort of made me feel like an ass, but what could I do? I slept the day away and that night decided to stay in a hotel 3 minutes away on foot, so I could get a good nights rest without my grandfather. Otherwise, I was not going to get any better.

Apparently this was an issue with Ilonka. He got all of it though since I don't understand a word of what she says. I appreciate everything she does for us, but I need to take care of myself so I can enjoy my vacation. I don't regret the decision one bit. Besides, she's prone to over reacting.

So, where was I? Right, Hallstatt.

After the salt mines we got back in the car and drove a short distance to a sleepy little town called Gosau. It's a beautiful place nestled in a valley between the mountains. We stayed at a hotel called Chalet Edelweiss, in a nice little 2 bedroom apartment on the 3rd floor with a great view.

 The next morning we drove towards Salzburg making a stop to see the Eagles Nest in Berchtesgaden which sits on the Germany/Austria border. Hitler's home which was also located here was bombed after the war and all traces were removed. However, the Eagles Nest was spared and allowed to be preserved as a historical site. Today a restaurant operates in it's place and tours are allowed. Originally the place was a gift to Hitler for his 50th birthday, paid for by increased taxes to the German/Austrian populace who didn't even know of it's existence until after the war. It was built in less than 2 years at the highest point of the summit, used as a tea room and conference center to entertain visiting dignitaries.

Due to the altitude it is often covered in clouds and only has occasional moments when the views clear up. I took as many pictures as I could in those brief moments of clarity.

The place is an interesting bit of history and the views are great when the clouds clear for a bit. The road up is steep but the buses and their drivers are excellent. It was super cold up top and poor Kris was wearing shorts, but he toughed it out and survived. We caught our scheduled bus back to the lot and resumed the journey to Salzburg.

So I'm back in Budapest. After an adventurous week through Austria and some of the far west sights of Hungary, we prepare for the next phase of our visit. Uncle Janci rented us a car for the next 2 weeks and we plan to make full use of it. That is if my grandfathers driving doesn't kill us. We drove back to Budapest from Esztergom this morning and I have to say it was a little scary. My grandfather is a little out of practice with a stick shift; sadly I think it still may be safer than me driving since I last drove a stick about 8 years ago... when a friend was teaching me.  Never again since. SO I guess my life is in his hands.

It was nice knowing almost all of you.

But I get ahead of my self. We last left off in Vienna. That night we drove back to the hotel in Fertő and stayed the night.

The next morning we packed up and headed in the direction of Salzburg, allll the way on the other side of Austria.

Did I mention how awesome Kris was to drive the whole time? No? Well he was. And I'm not just saying that because he knows this page exists. Really.

It's a beautiful drive through the mountains.

Along the way we stopped in a little town called Hallstatt, home to one of Austria's 3 salt mines that have been mined since the prehistoric era. It's a cute little town.

Whew. That was longer than I expected. I actually have quite a few more pictures but I thought these summed it up best. It was actually really interesting and a lot of fun.

I was hoping to get more caught up but I need to head back to Ilonka's. I'm supposed to be back by 8pm since they have no way to get a hold of me, and I know she'll start freaking out if I'm not back on time. I may be able to get another post in tonight. That is if my grandfather doesn't insist on checking his 3 spam traps he calls email accounts.

Oh and your Hungarian vocabulary word for the day: hideg (pronounced he-day-g). It means cold. I think by my last count my grandfather has said this word about 43 times since I've gotten here, and that's just in Magyar (Hungarian). Never mind the many times he's said it in English as well.