On Thursday Ben turned 30 and we celebrated “Eger-style.” I gave Ben the option, a trip to Budapest or a day in Eger, and he chose Eger (I think the prospect of two hours in a bus may have swayed the decision). So we took advantage of some of the best things Eger has to offer- beautiful surroundings, a tradition of thermal baths, and wine. We started the day with pastries and presents, and then headed out for what we figured would be about a 7 or 8 mile hike to Nagy-Eged, our local mountain, but with my superior map reading skills and the sometimes questionable trail markings, ended up being closer to 10 miles.
As soon as we walked outside of town, we came upon vineyard after vineyard. Beautiful!
These pictures don't do it justice.
Marking his 30th birthday at the top of Nagy-Eged.
After the hike, we ate a quick lunch and headed to Eger’s thermal bath/pool which is about a block from our apartment. The complex has a large outdoor pool for laps, a kids’ pool, an “adventure bath” (a large indoor/outdoor warm pool with jets and waterfall and other fun stuff), and a hot thermal mineral bath that smells slightly of sulfur but is supposed to help with all sorts of physical ailments.
Ben relaxing in the thermal bath.
Our fingers sufficiently pruned, and our muscles soaked, we spent an hour or so at home, while Ben read the touching and often hilarious birthday messages from family and friends that I had compiled into a slideshow.
Determined to get the true Eger experience, we then walked the mile down to Szepasszony-volgy (loosely translated- Valley of the Beautiful Women), a collection of local wineries who have set up shop in caves along the valley.
Me in one of the wine caves.
We ended the day at Palacsintavar, or House of Pancakes, which serves all of its food wrapped in giant pancakes. Seriously. I wish I had taken pictures of the meal.
Some of the Pancake House's decor. Ben particularly loves the Queen matchbook.
Thanks to everyone who sent Ben birthday wishes and pictures- it added a much needed slice of home!
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