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The day was a challenge for everyone due to the length of the international bus ride. What looks like an eight hour trip on Google maps in reality was around 12 hours. Quite a long time cooped up in a bus with only 3 extra seats. Fortunately, the weather was cooler and the AC on the bus was working at its best (not a constant for earlier parts of the trip).
The boys have really done well with the travel and today was no exception. Even though the hours are long and everything is new or outside the regular comfort zone, the boys are pulling together and learning to rely on each other. Music, games and food are shared and there are plenty of laughs along the way.
We made four short stops during our journey to Eger. The boys enjoyed their adventures into the gas station mini marts as they stocked up on snacks, some familiar (Coke & Pringles) and others not (various brands of chips and cookies). A major find of the days was the Nutella to Go pack, which features a small serving of Nutella with a dozen small cookie sticks.
Our second stop of the days was the Hungarian border. The driver pulled into a special lane for buses and shut off the engine. We had to sit in the bus with no AC for a few minutes (I'm sure it will be remembered as a much longer time) while we waited for the border police to check our passports. Once checked, a second border agent collected the passports for processing and stamping. During this time, we were allowed off the bus to stretch our legs and get fresh air. The boys found various ways to entertain themselves for about 10 minutes. Soon, the passports were returned, we re-boarded the bus and we entered Hungary.
Our route took us through the middle of Budapest, giving all of us a fascinating glimpse of our destination later in the trip. We pushed on past the city and about 2 hours later entered Eger. Everyone was happy to finally arrive and exit the bus.
This being a water polo trip, we went directly to the pool for a quick practice. Now, if you pulled up outside this building, you would not realize it was an aquatics center. From the outside, it appeared small given the viewing stands rising up from both sides of the pool.
Once inside, it was clear that this was a very old facility, but one that was the center of the Eger water polo world. There was plenty of space for spectators with bleachers on one side and an elevated viewing deck on the other. The pool is fed by natural spring waters, so there is no chlorine. Also, the bottom of the pool is lined with small rocks and pebbles.
While the boys practiced, the team mom checked everyone in to the hotel. Luggage was removed from the bus and placed in a secure room while he boys were at the pool. After about 30 minutes, the boys returned to the hotel for dinner. As with our stay in Croatia, the hotel had a large buffet for the boys with meats, pastas, salads, vegetables and other tasty treats.
The boys have really done well with the travel and today was no exception. Even though the hours are long and everything is new or outside the regular comfort zone, the boys are pulling together and learning to rely on each other. Music, games and food are shared and there are plenty of laughs along the way.
We made four short stops during our journey to Eger. The boys enjoyed their adventures into the gas station mini marts as they stocked up on snacks, some familiar (Coke & Pringles) and others not (various brands of chips and cookies). A major find of the days was the Nutella to Go pack, which features a small serving of Nutella with a dozen small cookie sticks.
Our second stop of the days was the Hungarian border. The driver pulled into a special lane for buses and shut off the engine. We had to sit in the bus with no AC for a few minutes (I'm sure it will be remembered as a much longer time) while we waited for the border police to check our passports. Once checked, a second border agent collected the passports for processing and stamping. During this time, we were allowed off the bus to stretch our legs and get fresh air. The boys found various ways to entertain themselves for about 10 minutes. Soon, the passports were returned, we re-boarded the bus and we entered Hungary.
Our route took us through the middle of Budapest, giving all of us a fascinating glimpse of our destination later in the trip. We pushed on past the city and about 2 hours later entered Eger. Everyone was happy to finally arrive and exit the bus.
This being a water polo trip, we went directly to the pool for a quick practice. Now, if you pulled up outside this building, you would not realize it was an aquatics center. From the outside, it appeared small given the viewing stands rising up from both sides of the pool.
Once inside, it was clear that this was a very old facility, but one that was the center of the Eger water polo world. There was plenty of space for spectators with bleachers on one side and an elevated viewing deck on the other. The pool is fed by natural spring waters, so there is no chlorine. Also, the bottom of the pool is lined with small rocks and pebbles.
While the boys practiced, the team mom checked everyone in to the hotel. Luggage was removed from the bus and placed in a secure room while he boys were at the pool. After about 30 minutes, the boys returned to the hotel for dinner. As with our stay in Croatia, the hotel had a large buffet for the boys with meats, pastas, salads, vegetables and other tasty treats.
