Europe-oly

Marty & Barbara drinking Tokaj wine in the Hungarian Embassy

Today Marty and I attended the European Union Open House event in Washington DC.  Once a year the embassy's of the European Union host an "Open house" where they invite the public inside to experience the cultural of that country.  We started our day with at our favorite B&B in Takoma park, then rode the metro into the city.  We picked up an official European pamphlet which featured the location of the embassies as well as 8 spots to have "stamped" as we attempted the tour.

Let me begin by saying that the embassies are located all over D.C. There were four "groupings" by area on the pamphlet, and we began by heading out to Slovakia and Austria, which coincidentally are neighbors in D.C. as well as in Europe.  Walking through the doors of Slovakia, we were greeted with samples of homemade Haluski and from that moment, our enthusiasm caused us to tackle as many of the houses as our feet could handle. 

 
Security was extremely heightened, and we found ourselves standing in long lines waiting to go through metal detectors and have our coats and personal items searched by nearly every embassy.  That certainly took up a lot of time, but we met some delightful people while waiting in line. 

We ate Haluski in Slovakia, tasted pastries and coffee in Austria, had some Tokaj wine in Hungary where we also managed to pet some very cute Hungarian dogs.  Marty feasted on Czech Goulash while quenching his thirst with a Pilsner.  We were certain that Lithuania was our favorite embassy when we found ourselves being offered free beer, bread, cheese and chocolates, without having to go through a search at the door,  but then we headed to Poland and found ourselves with free Kielbasa, pierogies and beer.  Needless to say, a new favorite was found.

Marty and I managed to fill all 8 stamps, and actually visited two more, for a total of ten embassies. I think we passed "Go" a few times, but didn't collect $200.00.  Luckily we didn't end up in jail either!