Bringing the Last of the Bulgaria Troops HOME FROM IRAQ

Hello again!

From another new country... My last trip I had scheduled was from Leipzig, Germany-Kuwait, and Kuwait- Sofia, Bulgaria. It's always nice taking non-U.S troops because they usually don't speak english and don't throw a fuss when they get stuck with pasta instead of chicken. :-)



This trip was different, however... this just happened to be the LAST load of Bulgaria troops to come home after spending 18 months in Iraq. When we arrived on December 17th, they had a ceremony set up to welcome them home!

The Prime Minister of Bulgaria was there to give them a speech upon their return. The ground handler that was on our plane translated that he mentioned how proud he was of their courage, dedication, and it was so nice to welcome the last of them HOME to Bulgaria. (A ROAR went through the crowd when he said that... gave me chills.)

This band started playing the minute we opened the doors... how proud they were to welcome their troops home!

All in line. Ok now, judging by how obedient they are in line here... IMAGINE how good they are on the plane with us. I'm not kidding when I say I am blessed with flying the most POLITE passengers you could ever imagine in the entire world...

PAPARAZZI!!!!!!

The commercial flight I took yesterday (Austrian Arrows) from Bulgaria-Germany actually handed out free Bulgarian newspapers when we boarded. I happened to see a picture of the troops we took home on the FRONT PAGE next to the Prime Minister. I was so proud because the Bulgarian-speaking man next to me on the flight was trying to tell me how happy he was that they were all home safe. Imagine how great that made me feel to know that I had a part of bringing the last of his troops home safe FOR GOOD!!! Can't wait til all of our U.S. Soldiers are home for good... What a glorious day in history THAT will be!

CHEERS!

-Lisa :-)

The Lindner Hotel & Resort: LEIPZIG, GERMANY

Greetings from Leipzig, Germany!!!!

We are staying at the cutest little German Hotel ever and I HAD to share it with you. It's called the Lindner Hotel & Resort and it's one of about 30 in Germany. We arrived early in the morning and I was SO impressed with it from the minute I walked into the lobby!


It's about 15 minutes away from the airport... literally 'over the river and through the woods'! It was such a beautiful, SNOWY drive the entire way.


As you walk into the lobby, the reception desk is to the right and the cozy bar and cocktail lounge is to the left! Just right of the Christmas tree is the restaurant... very cute as well!

I love how the lobby is exposed by those levels of guest rooms! (See, there's the restaurant I was talking about... ha!)

This is the entrance to my cozy little room! (Obviously I'm NOT a light packer... Hahaha! BUSTED!!!! Look at my suitcase... expanded! What do you expect, being out for 30+ days??)

This bed, although they only gave me one comforter and 2 pillows, was the most comfortable bed I could have ever found in Germany!! (Notice I don't say ANYWHERE... THE MOST comfortable bed award STILL goes to the Marriott in Budapest, and will ALWAYS be #1 in my book!!)

I don't know about you, but this scene reminds me of 'A Christmas Story' when Ralphie & Randy wake up Christmas morning, and look out the window to see the snow! Hahaha! I didn't keep the window open like this, obviously, but it was a gorgeous view!

Good morning, Leipzig! :-)

I've REALLY enjoyed my stay in Leipzig so far! I better get used to it, because just recently my company has announced that Leipzig is the 'NEW' Budapest. We will no longer be laying over in Budapest due to high grounds fees costs and the fact that there (still is, I believe) a strike going on with the Ground Handlers at the Airport. It's such a shame, everyone LOVED Budapest. At least I got to spend the time there that I did! I'll never forget it! :-)

I'm sure I'll make MANY more memories here though, and I can't wait!!!

CHEERS TO LEIPZIG!!!

-Lisa :-)

Get your Authentic Budapest Christmas gifts HERE!!

The holiday season is HERE!!!!

No other time of year would it be OK for a creepy man in a Santa suit and his reindeer to be driving through the Fashion Square of Budapest on a motor bike looking for attention without getting arrested...

However, on December 10th, everyone LOVED it and cheered!!!! BRING HIM ON!!!!! Happy Holidays, ALL!



You'd think these people had never seen a crazy guy dressed in a Santa suit before. Come on... come to any wild and crazy work Christmas party in the U.S. with strong eggnog and you might think differently! Ha! This was SO cute and funny... I had to take a picture too, of course...


The 'Fashion Square' of Budapest has now been transformed into a 'Budapest Souvenir' Paradise. All these booths are set up until Christmas with purses, vases, jewely, handmade items, scarves, pottery, and things you or I can't really classify. :-)


It's great to walk around and look at all the outrageously priced stuff... I can't help but think of tourists (like me... before) that take out 10,000 hungarian forints (equal to about $60 American money) and blow it on a couple glass souvenirs or a kitty mug that will end up collecting dust someday. Me, on the other hand... I'd rather take it across the street and buy some cute Euro clothes or boots at H & M or Bershka. At least I'll look good and get a good season of fashion out of MY purchase!

This tree is HUGE and is standing tall in the middle of the square... Merry Christmas, Budapest!!

What else ya got here??? (Err... What DON'T you have...??) :-)

CHEERS!

-Lisa :-)

Sushi Dinner @ KYOTO in Budapest!

Hello again!!!

Ahhh... a peaceful, slightly rainy December night in Budapest. What a great night to treat myself and go grab a GREAT sushi dinner at my favorite restaurant within walking distance from my hotel: Kyoto! (Literally... it's kitty-corner from the doors of the front lobby. Perfect!)

I took a couple extra minutes to enjoy this beautiful lit-up solo walk on my way to Kyoto. The rain wasn't even enough for an umbrella... it was such a beautiful and calm Saturday evening!

"Table for One, please... And, I'll start with a glass of Pinot Grigio." :-)

I love the ambience of this restaurant! Philippe and I have eaten here twice before and have had EXCELLENT sushi both times. I couldn't WAIT to order my own sushi/sashimi combination!

Drumroll, please...

WOW. Now, is that not the FRESHEST sushi/sashimi you've ever seen, or what!?? This was the combo for ONE, including salmon, yellowtail, and tuna and a salmon/avocado roll. Absolute heaven. I ate every last bite!

This was the little view from my table in the corner. I love the lights!

After my delicious dinner, I decided to take the long way home and walk down by the Cathedral to take some snaps of the Christmas tree. SO relaxing and beautiful! Just another Saturday evening in Budapest, Hungary... :-)

I truly am the LUCKIEST girl to be seeing how Christmas is celebrated around the globe. What a special holiday season it is!

The walk back to my hotel through Fashion Square of Budapest! What an enjoyable night. I love this city!

CHEERS!

-Lisa :-)

Christmas Festival: BUDAPEST STYLE!

Cheers to the end of another great trip! (Err, one mini-one, in my case. I'm STILL HERE!)

Looks like we can find Christmas Festivals this time of year wherever we go! Here are the favorites of my last crew on our last night all together... celebrating the fact that we had a GREAT trip that we will always remember! :-)



Nikki, Danny, Philippe, Andrea, and myself... enjoying a happy hour drink in Danny's room before we head out for the night and enjoy our day off in Budapest!


Cheers to 'Stress free, drama free' flights together... and making the most of our long international layovers these past 2 weeks in Kuwait, Germany, and Hungary! We're living the life as international flight attendants!!!


Danny boy & his favorite lead flight attendant, Philippe! Danny boy invited us all over to his room around 5 for drinks and cocktail snacks before we hit the 'mean streets of Budapest' for our last night out on the town!!! Look how cute... pretzels, red & white wine, cheese sticks, great friends... what else could we ask for??


The Marriott HAPPY HOUR is somewhat of a tradition for us flight attendants on our days off during the week... Buy one, get one free... whatever you want, it's yours!!! I think we've all been here once or twice before... :-)

The girls! Andrea, me, and Nikki! Is it obvious we all have a great time together?? :-)

And Nikki and Danny... two peas in a pod, these two. What a great pair of buds!

Nikki and I ALWAYS find time to laugh... :-)

Come on, boys... are we ready to go??? We're waiting!!!!

Just some goofy flight attendants playing on the bellhop cart!!! Wanna go for a ride???

Can we get a little help, please???

In our NEXT lives... when we're NOT flight attendants... can we help you bring your bags up to your rooms and possibly JUMP START your vacations??? Promise we'll be good at it!!! :-)

Moseying on down the streets of Budapest... Danny found a GLUHWINE booth. Yummy HOT WINE for all!!!!

"You guys are so cute I can't stand it!" -Andrea.

"YEAH, SO??? -us :-)

Posing with our mugs of hot wine in Fashion Square in Budapest, Hungary. THIS is the life!

Friends and wine to keep us warm... what else do we need???

CHEERS to spending the holiday season overseas together!!! We love it!!!!

Friends & fellow flight attendants long after this trip ends. WE LOVE OUR JOBS!!!!

CHEERS!!!!

-Lisa :-)

***** 5-Star Budapest Marriott... This is the life... :-)

Ahhh... There is nothing better than checking into a LUXURIOUS European hotel for a couple days on my long layovers. I've always heard stories about the beautiful Budapest Marriott, but I haven't been put here yet. EVERY room has a view, and apparently... they're the best beds around. WOW, the rumors are true!!!!!! THANK YOU, Ryan!!!! :-)



It just so happens that upon check in I had a HUGE case of jet lag... and I needed sleep. I took a shower, and crashed in THIS BED for 14 HOURS. I don't remember the last time I slept for that long since suffering from a massive hangover in college! Ha! Just beautiful.


The flat screen is a nice touch as well... with HBO & HBO2 showing great movies all day long! I woke up to 'the Devil Wears Prada' and enjoyed the second half of it lounging in these super comfy white down pillows...

Good morning, (errr, afternoon?) Budapest!

"Hello, Ms. Garland. We have a King Size bed waiting for you on the third floor. Enjoy!"

"Please don't forget about our Happy Hour every Monday-Friday in our AQUA bar... it's buy one drink, get one free. Plus free appetizers. Indulge, if you will!"

Please enjoy your stay here at the Budapest Marriott. If there is anything we can do to make your stay any more comfortable, please let us know!

WOW! WILL DO!!! :-)

CHEERS!

-Lisa :-)