One of the more interesting things I noticed about the people in Munich was that they seem to have a little bit of west coast envy. I counted two Hollister t-shirts, three "West Coast" sweatshirts, several Los Angeles clothes, and even a Huntington Beach hoodie. Sylvia once said something along the lines of, if there was a shirt that had the words, "This shirt has English writing on it!" German people would buy it. Let me assure you, and them, they have it pretty good over here.
From the train ride over to Munich and beyond, we were seeing some gorgeous countryside and, in the city, some beautiful architecture! You'll just have to imagine the pictures of the S-Bahn, the countryside, and the Marienplatz (both from the ground looking up and the tower looking down). I can see them, they are very nice, but every time I try to upload the pictures into the blog on the @&;$?$! iPad, (did i mention that it is an Apple product?) it freezes my writing. I have tried several times and for all I know, several pictures will be in the finished blog when I send it to publishing.
Ok, deep cleansing breath...out of my system. I will try to paint a picture with words, as best as I can. Also, I will post my pictures on Facebook whenever I can. Feel free to stalk/browse as you like. I will even befriend you on my page, but please send me a note telling me where you found me. I am not in the habit of accepting random friend requests. Just search by my email.
In Munich we disembarked (I know it's a big word but it felt European to use it) from the train and walked up the steps to a very crowded fussganger zone (walking area). There were thousands of people walking along the cobblestone walkways mixed with fruit stands, product demonstrations, and street performers. It was a little touchy navigating through all of these people and keeping our band of visitors intact. We had to rush as we had just gotten to the Karlsplatz area a few minutes before noon and we really wanted to see the glockenspiel (think of the largest cuckoo clock you have ever seen but in lieu of a small bird coming out, there are instead dancers, musicians, and even carousel horses traveling in their mechanized paths) atop the Marienplatz Rathaus. (More in a moment). The Rathaus is the main government building. Similar to a city hall back home. But function is as far as the similarity goes. I do not know how old this building, the ornate clock and the surrounding town square but I did see a carving over a door that said 1907...it was one of the newer looking doorways in this stained glass encrusted cathedral like building.
We searched the inside trying to find out how to climb up the many floors of steps to the platform above the glockenspiel. This was a very important part of our journey. We really wanted the kids to see this beautiful place, and I wanted to propose to Sylvia again. Actually, we were already married when we came here the first time in 1995 but that is where Sylvia gave me my golden band to wear on my right hand. In our wedding ceremony Sylvia was given her Oma's ring to wear on her right hand. I didn't have an American counterpart. Sylvia solved that problem in one of the alcoves atop the Marienplatz. I did ask her to marry me again while we were up there, had Jake take a picture while trying to stop us from kissing, but this time she said she was already married to a really big guy. Now what am I going to do!
We topped off the trip with a visit to the Hofbräuhaus. The kids were able to see what a bustling beer garden was like. There were no dirndel clad waitresses serving us, but we did get to see the waiters carrying more beers than should have been possible. And much to my delight, the kids did not even hint that they would rather go to the Hard Rock Cafe that was across the walkway from the HB (that is what we world travelers call the Hofbräuhaus.).
We made our way back to the train and almost one fifth of us stayed awake after our long excursion. For a moment before leaving we debated going on a guided bus tour. When we looked at the tour highlights brochure, we found that we had already visited the lion's share of the sights, so we skipped it.
Back at Monika and Stefan's house we decided where our next steps will be. I say we, but it was really a matter of the three women speaking German while I wrote my blog. I'll let you know what I decided as soon as they tell me.
Ok, deep cleansing breath...out of my system. I will try to paint a picture with words, as best as I can. Also, I will post my pictures on Facebook whenever I can. Feel free to stalk/browse as you like. I will even befriend you on my page, but please send me a note telling me where you found me. I am not in the habit of accepting random friend requests. Just search by my email.
In Munich we disembarked (I know it's a big word but it felt European to use it) from the train and walked up the steps to a very crowded fussganger zone (walking area). There were thousands of people walking along the cobblestone walkways mixed with fruit stands, product demonstrations, and street performers. It was a little touchy navigating through all of these people and keeping our band of visitors intact. We had to rush as we had just gotten to the Karlsplatz area a few minutes before noon and we really wanted to see the glockenspiel (think of the largest cuckoo clock you have ever seen but in lieu of a small bird coming out, there are instead dancers, musicians, and even carousel horses traveling in their mechanized paths) atop the Marienplatz Rathaus. (More in a moment). The Rathaus is the main government building. Similar to a city hall back home. But function is as far as the similarity goes. I do not know how old this building, the ornate clock and the surrounding town square but I did see a carving over a door that said 1907...it was one of the newer looking doorways in this stained glass encrusted cathedral like building.
We searched the inside trying to find out how to climb up the many floors of steps to the platform above the glockenspiel. This was a very important part of our journey. We really wanted the kids to see this beautiful place, and I wanted to propose to Sylvia again. Actually, we were already married when we came here the first time in 1995 but that is where Sylvia gave me my golden band to wear on my right hand. In our wedding ceremony Sylvia was given her Oma's ring to wear on her right hand. I didn't have an American counterpart. Sylvia solved that problem in one of the alcoves atop the Marienplatz. I did ask her to marry me again while we were up there, had Jake take a picture while trying to stop us from kissing, but this time she said she was already married to a really big guy. Now what am I going to do!
We topped off the trip with a visit to the Hofbräuhaus. The kids were able to see what a bustling beer garden was like. There were no dirndel clad waitresses serving us, but we did get to see the waiters carrying more beers than should have been possible. And much to my delight, the kids did not even hint that they would rather go to the Hard Rock Cafe that was across the walkway from the HB (that is what we world travelers call the Hofbräuhaus.).
We made our way back to the train and almost one fifth of us stayed awake after our long excursion. For a moment before leaving we debated going on a guided bus tour. When we looked at the tour highlights brochure, we found that we had already visited the lion's share of the sights, so we skipped it.
Back at Monika and Stefan's house we decided where our next steps will be. I say we, but it was really a matter of the three women speaking German while I wrote my blog. I'll let you know what I decided as soon as they tell me.
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