Budapest 2018

This summer our family vacationed in Budapest, a city filled with history, public art, beautiful bathhouses and fun activities for kids.  It was overtaken with #WorldCupFever during our trip.	Sharon never in her life thought she would visit Budapest...our vacation here was one of the best we have ever taken.
This was our first time staying in an Air B&B..we stayed in a beautiful apartment in the heart of Budapest.	There was a loft in our Air B&B for Sharon and David..."I saw three ships come sailing in..."
Sharon LOVES traveling with her best travel buddies...Alexi, Mateo and Sharon have seen so much of Europe together.	David is always up for adventure...his favorite place to visit every summer is Spain, though he enjoys seeing new countries, experiencing different cultures and speaking new languages.
Our first night in Budapest we headed to Veganeria, which was close to our Air B&B.	Sharon loves salads and ordered one at Veganeria.
Veganeria has Alexi and Mateo's two favorite things...PIZZA...	...and WORLD CUP SOCCER!!!  We got to watch Croatia vs. Denmark while enjoying our first vegetarian dinner in Budapest.
This delicious and picturesque pasta dish is almost too beautiful to eat.	For apps we ordered bread with these delicious spreads to get a taste of Hungarian vegan cuisine.
Alexi is SOOOOO EXCITED to eat PIZZA for his first vegetarian dinner in Budapest.	Mateo is a total FOODIE...he ordered vegetarian pizza topped with corn.
The next morning our family headed to the world famous Gerbeaud Cafe.	Delectable pastries to rival any Manhattan bakery are on display.
David and Alexi ordered their favorite croissants for breakfast.	Mateo also ordered a croissant with butter and jam, while Sharon ordered a Napolean.
Alexi enjoyed dipping his biscuit in his hot chocolate.	Sharon and David enjoyed mint tea at Gerbeaud.
Our family continued our hobby of bridge-walking, in Budapest over the Szechenyi Chain Bridge.  When completed in 1849, it became the first bridge connecting Buda and Pest.	Sharon poses in her favorite jean jacket with the entire Szechenyi Chain Bridge in the background.
Alexi, Sharon and Mateo pose in front of the Szechenyi Chain Bridge...and Alexi and Mateo are wearing their cool new Budapest shirts.	From the Szechenyi Chain Bridge we were able to get this cool view of the Elisabeth Bridge.
We went on a boat tour to explore the landmarks and hidden secrets of Budapest.	Sharon and Mateo both tremendously enjoyed the boat tour of Budapest.
During our boat tour we saw this beautiful and colorful architecture and distinct building styles.	The Hungarian Parliament Building is an architectural marvel.
Beautiful public art was on display outdoors everywhere in Budapest, including this tall woman.	This statue of a newspaper boy is so realistic and lifelike; National Newspaper Carrier Day is celebrated in the United States every September 4th.
One highlight of our trip was the afternoon we spent on Margaret Island.  Our family (Manhattan island dwellers) enjoyed riding in this surrey to explore the island.	The Magical Music Fountain on Margaret Island was a feast for the eyes and ears...Mateo and Alexi enjoyed dipping their feet inside, and Sharon enjoyed the pop tunes playing.
Our family spotted the Margit-sziget Water Tower when we were riding the surrey, and were so excited when we found out you could climb to the top and check out the incredible view from above.	Mateo and Alexi made it to the very top!
Beautiful murals adorn the walls outside the Palatinus Strand Bathhouse.	This musical procession definitely caught our eyes.
Mateo enjoyed riding this whale sculpture in the indoor baths.	Mateo, Sharon and Alexi initially enjoyed the indoor baths of the Palatinus Strand Bathhouse.
What are Alexi and Mateo watching FROM AN OUTDOOR POOL????!!!????!!!	A WORLD CUP SOCCER GAME!!!
Brazil celebrates after scoring a goal...they ended up defeating Mexico 2-0.	Mateo and Alexi together celebrate Brazil's victory with hugs and high fives.
Sharon ABSOLUTELY LOVES outdoor pools and thermal spas abroad.	Who's the movie star behind the Foster Grants???!!!???!!!
A new day, with lots of touring ahead of us.	Early in the morning we rode the funicular to the top of Castle Hill.
Horses guard the Royal Palace, a World Heritage Site, located in the Castle District (though lacking a castle).	An incredible view of Szechenyi Chain Bridge that we just crossed.
We walked around the grounds of the Royal Palace as we awaited our tour.	Incredibly beautiful statue of the Mary holding the Baby Jesus, created by the sculptor Laszlo Matyassy.
Alexi stands right by the tour guide to make sure he hears all the history and learns about the landmarks here at the Royal Palace...Alexi is also confident enough to speak his mind and add in his own knowledge to the info given by the tour guide(!)	We pause a moment for a family photo inside this gazebo.
Matthias Church, also known as the Church of Our Lady, is at the top of Castle Hill.	Alexi lights a candle in remembrance of those in heaven.
Our kids had an absolute blast at Csodak Palotaja.	Alexi and Mateo LOVE playing futbolin...whether they are in NYC, Spain or Hungary.
At Csodak, a science-themed museum, there were huge cutouts of famous scientists.  Here, Mateo poses with Leonardo da Vinci (a scientist and artist like Mateo).	Alexi pauses from playing to pose with Tesla.
Our family discovered the most fun game EVER at Csodak....SOCCER BILLIARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	Mateo lines up the perfect shot in this fantastically fun SOCCER BILLIARDS game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After walking by the Budapest Eye for several days, we finally decided to give it a whirl on July 4th.	Mateo is hanging loose on the Budapest Eye (where did he even learn that???!!!).
Mateo and Alexi show off their red, white and blue on this July 4th day on the fun ferris wheel.	David and Sharon enjoy the ride and view from the Budapest Eye.
World Cup Fever was evident EVERYWHERE we went in Budapest!	These two avid soccer fans LOVED watching World Cup Games on television, while swimming in thermal baths, and in restaurants.
Sharon can usually be found wearing brown on our travels, to match her "beautiful curly hair" (as David once told a NY Times reporter).	And Alexi can usually be found eating chocolate, in this case a heavenly chocolate kebob.
Monument Park was recommended by David's friend, and it turned out to be one of our favorite places we visited in Hungary.  These boots belonged to a massive statue of Stalin that was town down during the October 1956 Uprising.	When communism fell in Hungary, the decision was made to preserve the art, sculptures and statues as part of history.  A park (some call it a cemetery) outside of Budapest is dedicated to these works of art during the Communist Era.  This is the Workers' Movement Memorial, symbolizing the progress of workers under the communist regime.
The park was designed by Akos Eleod, and according to him this park is about dictatorship and at the same time, democracy.	This dynamic sculpture is the Monument to the Hungarian Socialist Republic.
On our itinerary was the Szechenyi Baths, the most famous bathhouse in Budapest.	The Szechenyi Baths are very picturesque and popular, though we preferred the public baths on Margaret Island.
Our family had so much fun swimming in the outdoor pools of Szechenyi.	Sharon and David have a moment alone as a couple...rare when you have two young children.
Mateo is having SO MUCH FUN in the Szechenyi Baths in Budapest.	Alexi holds Mateo while he attempts to execute what he has learned in swim class.
Alexi and Mateo really enjoyed watching veteran chess players play chess in the baths of Szechenyi.	Sharon poses in her favorite floral lavender bikini in the Szechenyi Baths.
David is absolutely the most handsome guy in the Szechenyi Baths...and looking so cool in those shades.	Alexi is still young enough to hang out with his Mami in the pools...and smile for a picture.
One of the best things about our Air B&B?  It is right across the street from a Mexican food stand that claims to have authentic West Coast Mexican food.  Mexican dinner IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!	Alexi and Mateo enjoy some chips and salsa outside the Mexican food stand across from our Air B&B.
The neo-Gothic Parliament building, inspired by England's Palace of Westminster, looks exquisite illuminated at night.	Exploring Budapest illuminated at night is like entering a whole different world.
Szechenyi Chain Bridge illuminated at night.	The Szechenyi Chain Bridge looks majestic illuminated.
The incredibly moving Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial commemorates the Jews who were killed by the fascist Arrow Cross militiamen during World War II.	Ronald Reagan is a surprising sight in Budapest...Alexi and Mateo paused to shake his hand.
Alexi and David light candles in St. Stephen's Basilica in memory of the family & friends we have lost...Elizabeth, Helen, Sharon, Kate and Lisa.	St. Stephen's Basilica, known by its nickname Bazilika, has a Neo-Baroque interior that contrasts greatly with its Neo-Classical exterior.
We climbed this beautiful spiral staircase in St. Stephen's Basilica to check out the breathtaking view from above.	Check out Alexi and the incredible view of Budapest behind him!
On our travels we enjoy ascending to high places...here for a view of Budapest from above...	A bird's eye view of the Budapest Eye...
#helloHungary!!!	Our family loves traveling and embraces adventure.
On our final day in Budapest, we visited the Miniversum.  It very much reminded us of Gulliver's Gate in Manhattan which we visited on New Years Day.	A depiction (in miniature) of Heroes' Square in Budapest.
Budapest is pictured in miniature at Miniversum.	Alexi and Mateo's favorite part of the Miniversum was the playroom where they got to build and create their own city.
These brothers are BEST FRIENDS FOREVER.	Love is always the answer, and these are words to live by.

Best of 2017

Sharon's Novels (she read ONLY female authors to make this the Year of the Womyn)

(1) Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

(2) Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

(3) Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

(4) The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

(5) Reading with Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship by Michelle Kuo

(6) The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying by Nina Riggs
(7) Death of the Heart by Elizabeth Bowen

David's Books

(1) Marathon Man by William Golden

(2) Life of Pi by Yann Martel

(3) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
(4) Nomad by Matthew Mather

Our Favorite Movie Rentals

(1) Gettysburg
(2) Get Out
(3) Moonlight
(4) Marshland
(5) Lion
(6) Boy
(7) Captain Fantastic
(8) 1984
(9) The Whistleblower
(10) The Founder
(11) Sicario
(12) For Hell or High Water
(13) Wind River
(14) Desierto
(15) Bowling for Columbine

Best NYC Bagels

(1) Bagel Store (original Bedazzled Rainbow Bagel with Birthday Cake Cream Cheese)

(2) Black Seed Bagels

(3) Terrace Bagels

(4) Sadelle's

(5) Bagels on the Square and Bagel Hole (tied)

Best NYC Film Festivals

(1) Tribeca Film Festival - Sharon saw "For Akheem" about poverty and urban education and "Awake: A Dream for Standing Rock" about the standoff between indigenous peoples and the government over fracking and water rights - both were EXCELLENT.  Josh Fox, the famous documentary filmmaker, was present at the movie, discussed it at the Q & A and Sharon got to talk to him outside the movie theater after on the street and tell him what a big fan she is of his movies.

(2) International Children's Film Festival - Alexi and Sharon saw the World Premiere of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes

Best Movie in a Theater:

The Princess Bride @ AMC 42, commemorating its 30th anniversary

Best Outdoor Movie - 30th anniversary screening of Dirty Dancing in Bryant Park

 Favorite People/Places/Publications to follow on Twitter

1. New York Magazine - @NYMag

2. Meat Free Mama - @meatfreemama

3. Green Bronx Machine - @greenBXmachine

4. Jesse Lansner - @jesselansner

5. Brandon Stanton - @humansofny

Best Art Exhibits/Museums/Gallery Shows/Public Art 

(1) "Descension" by Anish Kapoor @ Brooklyn Bridge Park AND "The Theater of Disappearance" by Adrian Villar Rojas @ Met Museum AND "Sisyphus Stones" by Saadi along the Hudson River

(2) CHIHULY @ New York Botanical Gardens

(3) Eulogy by Shaun Leonardo on the High Line AND "12 Shouts to the 10 Forgotten Heavens" by Sybil Kempson at The Whitney

(4) Audobon Mural Project by Gitler & ____ and National Audobon Society

(5) Living Modern about Georgia O'Keefe @ Brooklyn Museum

(6) The Meat Grinder's Iron Clothes by Samara Golden and Open Casket by Dana Schutz featured in Whitney Biennial @ Whitney Museum

(7) This is Hunger by MAZON USA in huge tractor trailer truck in Central Park

(8) [GOLEMECHA]  by Garret Kane @CherylMcGinnis Gallery

(9) Portraits by Chuck Close @ 86th Street Platform for 2nd Avenue Subway

(10) Seated Ballerina by Jeff Koons @ Rockefeller Plaza

(11) Joy Brown Sculptures along Broadway (UWS to Washington Heights)

(12) Carnival (Macy's Flower Show) @ Macy's Herald Square

(13) Photography Exhibit by Tatiana Daubek @ Cafe Buunni

(14) Memorial by in Central Park (Public Art Fund)

(15) Sculptures and Murals @ Sugar Hill Children's Museum

(16) ARTech Pop Up Museum in Chelsea

(17) Sculptures @ Angelica Kitchen

(18) Mini-Golf as Public Art by FigmentNYC @ Governor's Island

(19) Hypermobility by Alexander Calder @ Whitney Museum

(20) G.O.A.T., again by Nari Ward @ Socrates Sculpture Park

(21) Women with Wings by Andrea Arroyo at Wicked Community Garden

(22) Rockaway! by Katharina Grosse at Fort Tilden (MOMA PS1)

(23) Artificial Lily by Boy Kong at Gitler&_____Gallery (in the Heights!!!)

(24) Rise Above @ Cheryl Mc Gallery in Flatiron Building

(25) Murals and Quilts at 9/11 Museum

(26) MTA Subway Elevator Poster Project Exhibition - Hudson View Gardens

(27) Women in the Heights - Disruption at the Rio II Gallery

(28) Open House by Liz Glynn in Central Park (Public Art Fund)

(29) Good Fences Make Good Neighbors by Ai Weiwei under the Washington Square Arch in

Washington Square Park

(30) La Mer Wave Walk @ Columbus Circle and all around NYC

Best Broadway - Hamilton

Sharon and David received ***FREE TICKETS*** as part of a Teach For America raffle, and got to see the show on a special educator night in which the audience was filled with teachers.

In a word, this show was PHENOMENAL.  One of the best Broadway shows EVER.

Best Play: Tiny Beautiful Things

    Sharon went to the Public Theater to see this sold out play, based on the novel by Cheryl Strayed.  Nia Vardalos (from My Big Fat Greek Wedding) adapted it for the stage and starred in the leading role.  I originally bought a ticket for the last seat in the very last row (it was all that was available).  Some audience members did not show, so the ushers offered me an aisle seat in the fourth row which I gladly took.  So much more enjoyable to be that close to the actors and really see their facial expressions and all the emotions expressed in this very human play.

Best Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream @ Delacorte Theatre

Sharon waited on line in Central Park for five hours the day of the play, though it was totally worth it to see this play which featured phenomenal, more seasoned actors which was a welcome change from the obsession with youth culture.

Best Pop Up Museum - Artech in Chelsea

Best Museum for Kids - Sugar Hill Children's Museum

Best Museum for Adults - 9/11 Museum and Memorial

Coolest NY Event - Maple Weekend

       Every year the last weekend in March NYS farms invite the public in to see the process of maple syrup production in full effect and purchase maple products.  We started off at Cronin Maple Farm, where we enjoyed an all you can eat pancake breakfast and purchased maple products like maple peanuts and a personal maple syrup for Mateo.  Then we went to White Oak Farms to see maple syrup production in action, and were treated to a very informative talk by the farmer there and an instructional video.  Alexi and Mateo loved this, so we are considering making this an annual tradition.

Best Yoga  - Family Yoga in Fort Tryon Park in the summertime

Best Cycling Events

(1) Five Borough Bike Tour - 40th Anniversary - This was Mateo's 1st time riding in this event, and Sharon's 1st time participating in this event with a child in the back seat on her bike.  Sharon got so many cheers of amazement and "go mama" as she biked with Mateo.  We biked in every borough and made it across the steep Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (only open to bikes on this one day of the year).  A highlight was each receiving medals at the finish line.

(2) NYC Century - David, Alexi and Mateo biked the 35 mile route together, with Mateo riding in the red trailer and Alexi biking solo for the first time ever in a major bike event(!)  Sharon volunteered at the Astoria Rest Stop, making hundreds of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for hungry cyclists.

Best Concert/Live Musical Event - Overture to The Bartered Bride and Pictures at an Exhibition, performed by the NY Philharmonic

Best Family Member in Concert

David playing oboe in "Bach in the Subway" with a small ensemble at 59th Street Subway Station to commemorate Bach's 332nd Birthday

Best TV Series - The Man in the High Castle

Best Math Event - John Conway visit to MoMATH (David beat John at his own game of Dots and Lines)

Best Sporting Event - American League Champion Series Game at Yankee Stadium

     Sharon and Alexi together attended the ALCS Yankees vs. Houston Astros Game at Yankee Stadium.  It was absolutely the most exciting live baseball game we have both ever been to - Yankees were down 4 - 0 and made an amazing comeback, led by an Aaron Judge homerun.  Sharon and Alexi both added another item to our bucket list by attending this game.

Best Family Event - Choco Story @ Jaques Torres Chocolate

 
Best Travel Destinations

(1) Stockholm, Sweden

(2) The Dominican Republic
(3) San Felui de Guixols, Spain
(5) London, England
(5) Vero Beach, Florida
(6) Chincoteague Island, Virginia
(7) Vermont for Fall Foliage Camping (home of Mom and Pops, best maple syrup in the universe)

Best Parade - Sharon marched with Manhattan College in the St. Patrick's Day Parade

Best Summer Event - Kids playing Figment mini-golf and at play:ground NYC on Governor's Island

Best Mini-Golf - Shipwrecked in Brooklyn

Best Halloween Events - Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at the Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, and playing keys in Cryptkicker Six Band at Haunted Heights

Best Last Ever Event - Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus @ Barclay's in Brooklyn

Best Vegetarian Restaurant - Angelica Kitchen (RIP)

Best Ice Cream Dessert - Crazy Milkshakes @ Black Tap

Best Afternoon High Tea - Russian Tea Room

Best Pick-Your-Own Fruit: Barton Apple Orchard

Best Neighborhood Festivals: Spring Egg Hunt and Harvest Festival

     Sharon and Alexi together ran the bake sale table at the Spring Egg Hunt, raising $1000 (tying last year's record) to fund next year's Egg Hunt.  Sharon again chaired the food and drink tables at the Harvest Festival, which included running the Pie Contest Table.  David got to serve as a pie contest judge this year(!)  We again had a record 14 pies entered in the contest this year, with the winners as follows:

1st Place - Pumpkin Streussel Pie
2nd Place - Pecan Bourbon Pie
3rd Place - Crack Pie

Best Holiday Event in NYC: Dyker Lights

Best View of NYC: Seeing all 5 boros up close and personal on the 5 Boro Bike Tour

Top 5 Reasons to Love New York City

(1) Vibrancy - There is ALWAYS something new to experience in this city.  On New Year's Day we took the inaugural ride on the Second Avenue Subway, planned 100 years ago.  In the spring we went on a walking tour of the "Audobon Mural Project" and attended a baseball block party.  In the summer we went on a thirteen train, all day train adventure (showing that the MTA may not be as terrible as it seemed this year).  And in the autumn, we went in costume to "Boo at the Zoo" with Manhattan College for Family Day.

(2) Cycling - Our whole family biked in the 40th Anniversary of the Five Boro Bike Tour.  It was Mateo's 1st time and Alexi's 2nd time.  Alexi biked attached to David's bike, and Sharon biked with Mateo in the kid's seat on the back of her bike.  She got many cheers of "You Go Mama!".  We loved the inspirational messages written in chalk along the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and also the medals we received at the finish line.  Mateo, Alexi and David all rode in the NYC Century this year - it was Mateo's 1st time!  Mateo rode in the red trailer with David, and Alexi biked solo for the first time ever.  They completed the 35 mile route through Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens!

(3) Schools - Sharon is in her fourth year teaching at New Heights Academy Charter School, serving the students of Washington Heights.  Alexi and Mateo now both attend one of the only inclusive, progressive, dual language public schools in New York City, where David is on the Friends Committee.  Our family is passionate about education and work daily to fulfill the TFA mission that one day all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.

(4) Volunteer Opportunities - We love volunteering in our community of Washington Heights and in NYC in general.  At the Spring Egg Hunt Sharon and Alexi ran the bake sale table, raising money to fund next year's hunt.  For the NYC Century, Sharon volunteered at the Astoria Rest Stop, making 100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for hungry cyclists.  In the autumn David helped run Movie Nights at Alexi and Mateo's school as a fundraiser for the PTA.  As a family we volunteered at the Harvest Festival-David was a Pie Judge and Sharon ran the Pie Contest and food tables.  As a family we all volunteered on clean-up/planting days in Fort Tryon Park.

(5) Restaurants - Our family enjoyed so many wonderful dinners at the jewels of the NYC dining scene: Carmine's Downtown, Seasoned Vegan, Peacefood Cafe, Nix, and Carmine's Uptown.