Our Yearly Playlist

The Wiener Riesenrad

If you have seen Orson Well’s second best movie, The Third Man, then you’ll recognize this antique ferris wheel. I get a little uneasy on ferris wheels in general, but considering this one is the oldest antique still in use I decided to throw caution to the wind and had a ride.

Local Grub

Wieners and Wiener Schnitzel.

A Walk Around the Ringstrasse in Vienna

Happy Birthday, Mama!

May there be many campsites in your future.

It’s our last evening in Budapest. It’s a gem of a city and blew away our expectations. Sorry about yet another Chain Bridge picture, but I can’t stop myself from taking pictures of the view.

Dinner at Costes

Costes, Budapest’s most critically decorated restaurant, didn’t disappoint.

#47 in Progress: Széchenyi Thermal Bath

The thermal baths of Budapest are a must. Széchenyi Thermal Bath is the oldest and most popular. There are fifteen pools, three outdoor and twelve indoor, all varying from hot to cold. In addition to the pools, there are saunas, steam rooms and massage rooms. At the end of the day, Sonia and I splurged for some massages. My “masseuse” was a burley Hungarian…

#32 Done: Night at the Opera

We took in Hunyadi László at the Hungarian State Opera. They even provided sub-titles so that we could follow along.

Fast Escalator

Hard to show just how fast, but you have to be ready to get on and off.

Parliament, Central Market and The Cave Church

I had goulash and I’m a fan.

A Stroll Down Andrassy Ave

St. Stephen’s Basilica. Andrassy Ave. The Champs-Élysées of Budapest. Hero’s Square The House of Terror. A look back at Soviet and Nazi Occupation. Budapest is filled with ruin pubs. These are pubs that open in formally derelict and condemned spaces. This is Szimpla Kert, the oldest and most popular ruin pub. City Park. Sonia almost fell in.

Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church

Castle Hill

First walk of the day. From our hotel in Pest to Buda. We crossed the Chain Bridge and climbed Castle Hill.

#58 Done

#58 Visit something Ancient Not much to look at, but this is Aquincum – The Roman Ruins of Budapest.

A subdued first night. Had dinner at Nobu ($41,600 forints if you were wondering). Still not sure what I’m tipping. After dinner we walked around Fashion Street, then watched the Mexico-Brazil game at our hotel before sleeping off the jet lag. Big walking day in the morning.

#62 Done

#62: Stay at one of Conde Naste’d gold list hotels The Four Seasons at Gresham Palace.

In Flight

Turbulence

First time in the new international terminal.

2 Week Mark

Back under control.

Happy Father’s Day, Pa

#38 Falls

#38 Don’t Buy A Watch The most surprising fail of the year. A Happy Father’s Day indeed.

#94 in Progress

There is no friend as loyal as a book. ~ Ernest Hemingway

Watched the Kings became champs while at the Dodger game.

I’m too weak with the carb-flu to post anything new, so here’s an old video of my nephew playing kickball with Grandma. He’s never asked her to play kickball again.

#5 Done

#5: Prepare 12 meals at home. It only took a little over five months this year to complete. For the first time in years, Sonia and I are off carbs, including alcohol, and haven’t eaten out since getting back from New York. I’ve never felt more lethargic in my life.

#94 in Progress

Spent the weekend in the pool and read, Looking for Alaska. This was the book my Dad recommended I read, but I read, Chasing Alaska instead. Two very different books. Looking for Alaska is a very well written coming of age story that would have slayed me had I read it as a young man.

#94 in Progress

I’m canceling my Scottrade account.

#57 in Progress

#57: See 10 New Movies in the Theater If you like fart jokes, you’ll love this movie.

#49 Done

New springs, reinforcements and stain for the fences. Exciting stuff. We have now completed 10 nagging home repairs. Unfortunately another 10 have already popped up.

#94 in Progress

#94 Read 10 Books Really enjoyed, Chasing Alaska. The author did a great job capturing the many layers of Southeastern Alaska.

#5 in Progress

#5: Prepare 12 meals at home Trying to go carb-less. Torturous.

Back home, but still in a New York state of mind.

Cross Country Theater

3 for 3! Watched Her, Saving Mr. Banks and Philomena. All three were really good.

#64 Done For Sure

Eleven Madison Park is the top rated restaurant in the US and number four in the world according to the Pellegrino list. Subtract the cost of the wine and the meal was amazing and worth it.

#10 Done

The final purchase. Rimowa carry-on luggage. Shopping for a four day stay was harder than I thought it would be.

A Walk from 4th to 59th.

#64 Done

#64: Eat at a top restaurant in the world Coming in at number #22 in the world, Chef Eric Ripert’s, Le Bernardin was worth every penny. Truly one of my favorite meals of all time.

#85 in Progress

#85: Have a pint in a bar over 200 years old Unfortunately we’re about forty years too early, but McSorely’s has survived the test of time in fantastic fashion. Even Ab Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt enjoyed pints here.

Had lunch with my buddy, Matt. This is the only picture I got. The Black Label Burger from Minetta Tavern.

Scariest Place on Earth

Saks 5th Avenue in NYC. The shoe department literally has its own zip code.