Skipping right over Berlin then...
MUNICH!!!!!!
Eurobiz planned a weekend trip to Germany. I knew a few of the people going on the trip, kind of, but everyone at this point is kind of clique-y and keep together based on country of origin. Unfortunately, none of my close friends could make it, so I ended up going to Munich pretty much solo. I resolved to make this a fun, all-about-what-I-want-to-do trip.
The bus ride was about 7 hours long, with breaks for food and bathroom. When we arrived in Munich we went straight to the Deutsches Museum. I had as good of a time as one can have at a museum. There were a ton of exhibits, but they were all pretty... generic. Like what you'd find at any other museum. I would have preferred to go to the Bayern Museum to learn more about the region. My favorite part of the museum was probably the sundial display on the outdoor terrace. Unfortunately it was cloudy that day, but the top floor offered a great view of the city.
That night we ate at a Brauhaus. The restaurant was loud and happy and bright, the food was good, and the beer was delicious! There's something I never thought I'd say! But yes, Munich beer might be the best in the world (maybe I'll have to test this hypothesis by drinking my way through Europe?)
The next day we had a city tour in our bus, followed by free time. We stopped at Schloss Nymphenburg, which is this massive complex of gorgeous building. It served as the summer residence for the royals back when Bavaria had its own rulers. One of the kings built it for his wife when she finally gave him a boy baby. Are then men who would still do this? Because I could go for my own palace. To be fair, he only built the main part shown below. Over time his grandchildren and great-grandchildren built it up into the massive complex it is now.
After the tour we had an afternoon of free time, which is a little daunting when you're by yourself. I grouped myself with an Australian named Matt and a Chinese girl named Titi. We started in Marienplatz, the center of Munich, full of bustling shops and gorgeous architecture.
First we decided to get some lunch. Matt and Titi decided that they both wanted sushi, which to me is a travesty. We're in Munich, the capital of beer and brats, and you want to eat raw fish? I wanted classic Munich food, so we parted ways. I got a bratwurst in a bun and the most delicious potato salad I've ever had that I ate standing up. When I was done I headed over to the Biergarten for a Bavarian beer (the best in the world - how could I pass that up?). I didn't think I could handle a whole Maẞ (what the Bavarians call a liter of beer), so I got a half liter, which is still a pretty decent mug.
I grabbed a seat at a table and chatted with an Austrian couple in mixed Denglisch. It's true what they say about beer gardens and brauhauses in Munich - you'll become best friends with the people at your table. An illusionist came by and did some sleight-of-hand tricks for us. I really had an amazing, authentically Bavarian good time.
Then I went shopping at the Viktuelienmarkt, which was really all sorts of food stands. I went to the honey hut for some gifts (and honey wine for myself to try), the seasonings kiosk for more gifts, the fruit stand for some dried fruit, and a gift shop for some postcards. I bought a cup of coffee and fresh-pressed juice from a stand. I wandered around a lot, and I really had a good time with myself.
Another thing I saw? A Käsehaus. A house entirely dedicated to cheeses. Munich is truly my spirit city.
Fast-forward to the next morning: when I walked outside, the street was covered in a thick fog. I was disappointed because I would guess that Schloss Neuschwanstein is less beautiful when you can't see it. But my sadness was short-lived: within half an hour the sun came out and burned off the fog in a matter of minutes.
We drove through some truly stunning countryside. Some people were napping, but I don't know how they could close their eyes. I could barely turn my head fast enough!
I couldn't get any good pictures because of the glare, but it was exactly as beautiful as rolling countryside and small German towns are in your mind. I can see snow on the tops of mountains in the distance. It's truly magical. The trip to Munich was worth it just for this. I'll post pictures soon, I promise! I got some really amazing ones.
The villages (Dorfs) were picturesque German cottages nestled into the rolling hills. Do you think they just get used to the breathtaking view?
MUNICH!!!!!!
Eurobiz planned a weekend trip to Germany. I knew a few of the people going on the trip, kind of, but everyone at this point is kind of clique-y and keep together based on country of origin. Unfortunately, none of my close friends could make it, so I ended up going to Munich pretty much solo. I resolved to make this a fun, all-about-what-I-want-to-do trip.
The bus ride was about 7 hours long, with breaks for food and bathroom. When we arrived in Munich we went straight to the Deutsches Museum. I had as good of a time as one can have at a museum. There were a ton of exhibits, but they were all pretty... generic. Like what you'd find at any other museum. I would have preferred to go to the Bayern Museum to learn more about the region. My favorite part of the museum was probably the sundial display on the outdoor terrace. Unfortunately it was cloudy that day, but the top floor offered a great view of the city.
That night we ate at a Brauhaus. The restaurant was loud and happy and bright, the food was good, and the beer was delicious! There's something I never thought I'd say! But yes, Munich beer might be the best in the world (maybe I'll have to test this hypothesis by drinking my way through Europe?)
 |
| I'm not sure what I ended up with... but it was really delicious! |
The next day we had a city tour in our bus, followed by free time. We stopped at Schloss Nymphenburg, which is this massive complex of gorgeous building. It served as the summer residence for the royals back when Bavaria had its own rulers. One of the kings built it for his wife when she finally gave him a boy baby. Are then men who would still do this? Because I could go for my own palace. To be fair, he only built the main part shown below. Over time his grandchildren and great-grandchildren built it up into the massive complex it is now.
 |
| The original part, from the front |
 |
| At an angle on the side. This is only about half - the buildings also wrap around behind me |
These pictures are only part of the whole. There were more buildings behind me, and that's not to mention the acres of gardens behind the main part, in both traditional and English styles.
We also stopped by BMW World, which is open for people to look around at the newest models of sports cars. It was fine, but underwhelming for me. I kept thinking of how much my dad would love it. As I walked around I could see him standing and regarding the cars, arms crossed, and telling me the minute differences between performance and how he personally felt about each car. I probably missed him more then than I have since coming to Germany.
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| This one's for you, Dad. |
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| The New Town Hall at Marienplatz at dusk. During summer months the figures in the Glockenspiel (the center part) play |
I grabbed a seat at a table and chatted with an Austrian couple in mixed Denglisch. It's true what they say about beer gardens and brauhauses in Munich - you'll become best friends with the people at your table. An illusionist came by and did some sleight-of-hand tricks for us. I really had an amazing, authentically Bavarian good time.
Then I went shopping at the Viktuelienmarkt, which was really all sorts of food stands. I went to the honey hut for some gifts (and honey wine for myself to try), the seasonings kiosk for more gifts, the fruit stand for some dried fruit, and a gift shop for some postcards. I bought a cup of coffee and fresh-pressed juice from a stand. I wandered around a lot, and I really had a good time with myself.
 |
| Just a cool sign at the Viktuelienmarkt. |
Fast-forward to the next morning: when I walked outside, the street was covered in a thick fog. I was disappointed because I would guess that Schloss Neuschwanstein is less beautiful when you can't see it. But my sadness was short-lived: within half an hour the sun came out and burned off the fog in a matter of minutes.
We drove through some truly stunning countryside. Some people were napping, but I don't know how they could close their eyes. I could barely turn my head fast enough!
I couldn't get any good pictures because of the glare, but it was exactly as beautiful as rolling countryside and small German towns are in your mind. I can see snow on the tops of mountains in the distance. It's truly magical. The trip to Munich was worth it just for this. I'll post pictures soon, I promise! I got some really amazing ones.
The villages (Dorfs) were picturesque German cottages nestled into the rolling hills. Do you think they just get used to the breathtaking view?
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