A Sunday with no itinerary? Priceless!

I can not remember the last Sunday I had that did not have a schedule, list of things to do, alarm that needed to be set. Normally my Sundays involve an early morning start to get my run in.  Had a good proper sleep-in and then a lovely late breakfast/brunch with all my market purchases (which were delicious by the way!)

The deli wrapping from the cheese we bought at the Market.  I'm pretty sure the pig and cow are chattin' up the chicken!  

We headed out to wander the city and shop!  I'm spending the bulk of this next week with my friend Kim.  Kim was my team leader for this Habitat build.

Kim and I at our last dinner in Oradea before heading to Beius

I met Kim in 2008 when she led my Habitat build in Szarvas, Hungary.  We were room-mates and instant friends.  In 2008 we had a bit of time in Budapest together but wanted the chance to explore the city together this time around.  Kim knows the city very well having been here many times with Habitat...and we both love the place.  Plus we both are happy to simply wander and explore by accident and not with any real purpose.  She a great friend, an excellent team leader! I'm lucky to have this time with her.

I should also note that we both love afternoon coffee and treat breaks!  In 2008 it was the quest for the perfect Dobos torta.

My Great Aunt made the best Dobos and I have tried not only to buy a slice that matches but even try to re-create hers.  Inspired to give it a try again once I am home. 

But with the heat these last few days it seems to be the perfect ice cream I am in search for.  I love ice cream so I'm in a good place. Sadly they are all so good here, it's hard to pick a winner!

After spending the last 2 weeks as a group of twelve all the time, there is a strange loneliness now that everyone is gone save Kim.  Woke up missing the Beav, Sarah and Pete.  Travelling in a group is a fascinating experience which I should write more about once I have time to reflect a bit.  Definitely a learning experience every time I do it.

One last dinner in Budapest and then off to Holland tomorrow via Brussels!  Kim is starting a new life in Brunssum, Holland working at an international school.  Will be helping her get settled in her new house and checkin' out her new hood!

I suspect cheese, beer and chocolate are in my future!

The views in Budapest...and meeting the team

Finally correcting my internal clock...I think. Slept until 10am after being awake for almost 24 hours. A very sound sleep after wandering  the streets of Budapest and enjoying the amazing way it is all illuminated.  Definitely feeling like vacation mode.

I moved from my apartment in Budapest to the hotel where the rest of the team is staying. The hotel itself is an uneventful Communist-era building with decent accommodations.  The hotel is just down the road from the apartment and in the midst of the theatre and Opera district.  The majority of the buildings are gloriously old in Budapest (save the Communist-era ones which are not so nice!) but there is something about being surrounded by old playhouses and being down the street from the Opera House. History and culture all wrapped up into one!

The view from my hotel looks onto a small park and a number of bars, coffee houses and small grocery stores.  But I won't grow too accustomed to it as we head for Oradea, Romania tomorrow at 2pm.

Had our first team dinner tonight:  Kim, Bev, Sue, Heather, Pete & Sarah, Gabe & Joanna. We are still waiting for 3 more people whose flights have been delayed but if all goes well, they will arrive in time to catch our bus tomorrow.

As much as I am enjoying the city and all the great indulgences it has to offer, chatting tonight with everyone about their previous Habitat builds and thinking about my last build in Szarvas, Hungary, I am anxious to get to the orphanage and get to work.