Hungary and Slovakia

Mom and I flew to Budapest and her friend Victor picked us up at the airport and then we drove to his home in Komarno, Slovakia about an hour out of Budapest.  Komarno is actually split between Hungary and Slovakia by the Danube River so we were constantly crossing the border, but Victor lived on the Slovakian side.

Mom and Victor at the Budapest Airport

We happened to be in Komarno during the Spring festival which goes for about 5 days until May Day so down town there was live music on both Hungarian and Slovakian sides and lots of food stands, wine stands, and beer stands.  One night Victor and I actually carried our glasses of wine over the bridge from Slovakia to Hungary to check out the music on the other side.  

While with Victor we went to the castle in Komarno that has never been taken by a foreign army (until the communists), went to a farm in his village outside of Komarno and went on a horse and buggy ride through the country side, spent much time with his parents Charlotte and Victor, visited Bratislava and Budapest!

While in Bratislava we walked all over the city (much to my mother's chagrin) and visited the castle, the equivalent to the White House of Slovakia, and the old historic square.  In Budapest we saw the houses of parliament, the Palace, the old Cathedral, and the Chain Bridge.  

Visiting a Stud Farm with Victor in Hungary

I snagged the key to Komarno's un-takeable fortress!

Native Hungarian breed of Cattle

Mom and Victor at the farm

Mom and I in front of the Bratislava "white house"

Mom and I in Budapest 

Mom and I from the Castle in Budapest

With Victor's Family in his parent's flat (L-R Victor, Me, Charlotte, Victor Sr.)

We had such a great time and must say a BIG thank you to Victor and his parents for taking us in and utterly spoiling my mother and me!