Marshalls Abroad

Life

Budapest, Hungary

Inside the Hungarian Parliament. All of our mouths dropped open when we walked in. And this was about the point when John Shea bolted down the roped-off hall, laughing hysterically, with Cam and one of the guards after him.

I asked these guards if I could take their photo and they both nodded yes as they continued marching. They even gave me a few smiles!

The view of Pest from the Buda side of the Danube, with St. Stephen’s Basilica towering above the skyline.

Sandor Palace, the President of Hungary’s residence. 

The Metropolitan Library in Budapest looks like a normal library from the outside and even when you go in.
But… when you take the elevator to the fourth floor, you are transported to opulent rooms covered in gold, huge chandeliers, spiral staircases and grand entrances. I think that was one of the coolest parts about Budapest: inside unsuspecting buildings are hidden gems from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Budapest was amazing to see! We really enjoyed our time together there. People were friendly and warm, we tried Hungarian goulash, chicken paprika and the famous cakes from Ruszwurm that has been around since 1827 (I stopped in and bought the kremes and marzipan cakes to take back to our hotel room with us; they were incredible!), and we also got to meet up with some of our friends who are fellow Olmsted scholars. Budapest is a really fascinating place… especially when you look at it through the lens of it’s history. A lot of the Hungarians we interacted with had lived and survived behind the Iron Curtain, through the brutality of communism and of the secret police– known for vanishing people.  Their first free election was in 1990! Their warmth made that much more of an impression on us. Living and traveling in Eastern Europe is giving our children (and Cam and I, too) a daily hands-on world history lesson. They don’t understand it now, and will probably only have vague memories of all that we’re getting to do, but we’re setting a base to teach them in the future and that is something we are really excited about.


Comments

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Thanks, Jenn — I agree! We are loving it. Even when we're pulling our hair out when they get cranky – it is such an insane gift to do this! And yeah, that library… I had a hard time leaving!

  3. Nicholle Montalvo says

    INCREDIBLE!!! I can't help but imagine how much JS and Gracie are going to appreciate all your adventures when they are older. Your blog and photos will be cherished! and PS – can i just live in that library please?????

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Haha I know it!! Cam left with the kids since there were people studying and I got to stay and walk around and I felt like I was in Beauty and the Beast, ha! It was awesome!

  7. M Laidlaw says

    Beautiful pictures! We were there a few years back, and Budapest is INCREDIBLE–my husband and I are madly in love with that city and often talk about going back with our little one! Do you think you could do a post on traveling with a toddler? Before we had our 11 month old son, we were travelling all over the place and I AM SCARED TO DEATH NOW!!! hahahahaha.

    • Amanda Marshall says

      Hahah. It is outright scary sometimes, ha! I actually started to write in this post about what we've learned over the past 6 months traveling with our kids and then it got too long. But yes, I can definitely do a post on that. We've found some things that help, though really it comes down to mine and Cam's attitudes. Have you ever seen The Lego Movie?! I quote "I NEED YOU TO HAVE A BETTER ATTITUDE!" to my husband every trip. Haha.

  8. Cortnie says

    Amazing photography as always!! I love that night shot with it all lit up on the water! And I think John Shea is getting bigger than you;)

    • brittany says

      woooow how incredible!!! the fourth floor of the library, oh my! i love that you guys actively participate in the history of what's around you. so cool for your babes and for you! also i did not know there was a buda and a pest?! it's been too long since i had a geography lesson!

  9. redheadchick says

    Beautiful photos Amanda!! Budapest looks like another amazingly beautiful city! I'm so glad you are committed to educating your children on history and culture through travel. It's a priceless experience for them and they're so lucky to have you as parents!!

  10. Colleen says

    I love your comment about the warmth of the Hungarian people – living through atrocities, yet still able to keep their faith and humanity intact. I am fascinated and in awe of people like that. I can only pray that I would be that strong.

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