Buda

We made it to Budapest after 8 hours on the overnight train to Kiev, a couple hours hanging out at Mc Donalds before getting on the train to Budapest. We had a 2 man compartment (the overnight was 4 = we had the bottom bunks, to ladies the top, they asked if we were going to Euro 2012) our car was older than the ones on the front of the train, which had started in Moscow. Stacy, Curtis and the two of us made a walk through 6 or 8 cars to check out the dining car. It was rather nice, we ate soup and bread, it was good but rather overpriced, especially with the exchange the waiter gave us from rubles to grivna!

out the train window in Hungary

After 25 hours on the train, including a 3 and half hour stop at the border where Ukraine took our passports, came through the cars with a dog, and changed our wheels for the different size track on the other side of the border (all while most people slept) we had our passports stamped on the Hungary side about an hour later, and got to Budapest around 11 am.
Managed to get the Metro (subway) find the hotel, and go sightseeing as a group...walked a lot the first afternoon..