Vienna, Austria (July 30-31)

Vienna, Austria was the city that I picked to take a short vacation to. It is a very majestic city, full of life, culture, and history. It seemed like every building had an extraordinary history and story behind it. There were amazing palaces, gardens, churches, statues, government buildings, etc. Not the cheapest place on earth but then agian didn't expect it to be. Our two days in Vienna were spent walking everywhere and seeing some extravagent buildings. This was a great way to start off our European Adventure!!!

Vienna's Imperial Palace 

Imperial Palace -- were I stayed while in Vienna. :-) Mom spent all her money for me to stay here so I have no clue where she ended up sleeping. LOL

Mom found a new friend in front of the Museum of Natural History 

Mom and I are in front of the Schonbrunn Palace looking into purchasing this place for ourselves but it is a little out of our budget -- has amazing rooms inside where kings and queens lived and also has unbelievable gardens.

Gruss Gott (Greetings) from a maze at the Palace. Took a little work but mom and I finally found our way through the maze!  

St. Stephen's Cathedral -- I just love the roof on this building.  

Just one of many cool walkways and buildings in Vienna 

Vienna, Austria -- St. Peter's Church  

Romania (Aug. 2-5)

Mom and I headed off to Romania to meet up with one of mom's friends and fellow missionaries, Eamon. Eamon is an amazing person only 27 yrs. old. She went on a medical missions trip to Romania 5 years ago. The only catch was that she wasn't a Christian. They let her join the team anyways. Thank God b/c on that trip she got saved. After coming back to America, she felt God was telling her to go be a missionary to Romania. She has been living in Romania and working with the gypsies now for 4 years. She is an amazing woman of God and a blast to hang with. I had the privilege of staying at her house....oh boy did I regret that one morning when one gypsy lady decided to wake both of us up at 7am to give Eamon some milk and honey. :-D

When I entered Romania, I could sense the spirit of oppression, depression, and hopelessness. They have yet to be accepted into the EU (European Union) b/c their economy is so bad. You could just feel in the air how much these people need God. Then you go into the gyspy part of town where Eamon lives and witnesses, and it is ten times worse b/c the Romanians treat them unfairly and cruelly. Your heart just breaks at the site of it. While visiting the gypsy village, I meet some of the nicest people. A group of teenagers wanted just me to go out and get some Cola and snacks with them. They hadn't even meet me yet. There was only one girl who spoke English. It was a stretching time but a good one. Mom was able to make more contacts during our stay and get some business accomplished which was great!

Please keep Romania and especially the gypsys in your prayers b/c they need a touch from God!

Eamon, mom, and gypsy friend walking through corn fields to get to a river. Place where many wash clothes, bath, and fish. 

Sighisoara, Romania. Small town in Transylvania --- ever heard of Dracula? Well, that's a myth but that is another story. There was a real guy who was born here in 1431 named Vlad Dracul (dracul means dragon). He had a son and named him Dracula, meaning son of the dragon. This guy was the DEVIL on earth. He impaled 20 thousand enemy soldiers on stakes and often burned his own people to death (b/c they were poor). Great guy huh? And this is where the myth of Dracula started!!!

Cutiest little gypsy boy playing in the house that his family is building. 

Romanian country side taken from the train! 

Just coming back from having a soda with a bunch of teenages where only one of them spoke English. Talk about God stretching me. Eamon (girl in the black dress in center) is the American missionary who has been living among the gypsys for 4 years.  

Budapest, Hungary (Aug. 6 -9)

Budapest, Hungary is a city that is centered around the Danube River. One side of the river is called Buda; the other side is called Pest. Put them together and you get Budapest. Cool huh? This city is amazing! I found myself standing on one of the bridges at night with my mouth open thinking "Wow"! At night, the city works its magic. The Buda side of the city is full of hills with castles, forts, and catherdals all lit up. The Pest side is dominated by the Parliment buildings plus more cathedrals and impressive hotels all lit as well.

Mom and I went to Budapest to meet up with one of her colleagues and discuss ESL ministries and network with other missionaries. Praise the Lord! I wouldn't mind meeting in this city again to do business. At night, we took walks around the city (can you say many blisters), found cool restaurants to eat at, and relaxed. And of course my statement every night was "ice cream sounds good!"

Don, Amanda, Penny, & Kimi relaxing & eating out after a few days of English teaching and strategizing. 

Buildings of Budapest! 

Paris, Texas in Hungary? We too were shocked to see this sign as we walked down a street in Budapest. Intrigued, mom had to ask. Manager had seen a 1980s movie titled Paris, Texas and loved it. So why not name your restaurant after something you love?

Budapest at night.

Central Market place around the corner from our hostel -- place where everything from fruit, to spices (like this stand), to clothes, to souvenirs are sold.

Buda Castle on the Danube River, Budapest, Hungary. 

Sea of yellow!!! This is a gorgeous field of just SUNFLOWERS! Was I in heaven or what? Hungary is known as the Sunflower country with fields just like this one everywhere. It was GREAT!!!!

Slovakia (Aug. 10 - 11)

The Tatra Mountains are shared by both Poland and Slovakia. Mom's desire at the end of the trip was to be on the Slovakian side of the mountains. Since we weren't able to go somewhere different for her birthday, this became her birthday trip. As we stood at the base of the mountains, I looked up and was amazed at God's work. This place was beautiful and worth the scarey ride up the ski lift to witness it all in full. God is good!!!!

Evidence of conquering the climb up to get a glimpse of God's amazing handywork.  

Mom & I riding a ski lift up the mountain, realizing for the first time how heights make me nervous and bother me (thanks Dad!). :-D

Slovakia - Tatra Mountains