Shopping day!
It seems like we fit so much in to our time out today.
Returning to the market, there was so much to see, hear, taste, and smell!
I filled my water bottle at one of the spring-fed fountains mentioned during the tour yesterday.
Several people were gathered drinking around some of the fountains and Carl told me that people will put their beer bottles in the cold spring water to cool!
Now THIS is my kind of water cooler chat! Out in the sun, people walking by, a busy market scene to fill conversational lulls, thank-you-very-much!
We ducked in and out of shops and stalls and even beyond the market to the shopping area. I have been on the hunt for a watch. The romanticism of asking a handsome foreign man for the time has worn off in favor of the practicality of being able to map out my days more precisely. The sales clerk who finally assissted me in purchasing my watch was surprisingly pleasant.
Back home for a quiet evening. I'm really glad for the time and opportunity to check-in on-line with messages and update the blog! I picked up a few postcards today and look forward to getting a few of those of to people as well!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Day 11: Touring Munich
I got up, suited up, and showed up on time to join a group on a free tour of Munich. (Can you see me down front left in the pink t-shirt and jeans?)
It was worth the time to have a guide through the city, telling the stories and history behind all the sights. Several things amazed me as we went along.
First of all, few, if any of the memorials or city landmarks are actually marked in any way!
In the states, historical landmarks are often accompanied by placards, indicating the historical significance. Here, even if I could read German, there is little to explain the rich history of the city.
Secondly, I was really struck by a concept presented by our tour guide having to do with the German people's struggle to reconcile with their past. Is it fair that this city, with a history extending back for hundreds of years, should be associated only with the events that took place during the 12 years of the Holocaust? I was really thankful for the stories related to us by our tour guide that demonstrated the incredible attitude of the German people as they have worked through the past several generations with humility and determination toward a more positive future.
Third, it is very much a curiosity to me how people's lives intersect. I spent the majority of my waking hours today with strangers, who I may or may not see again. Still, I shared this experience with them, and was a part of theirs in turn.
There were so many things along the tour, the churches, the market, and other tours of the city, it was clear that I'm not likely to fit it all in during the time I have allotted to visit. I wondered if I could end up like some of the people I encountered who live here as a result of coming for a visit and falling love with the city, unable to tear themselves away!
In the latter half of the day, Carl and I went out for a traditional Bavarian meal. Yum! I had heard some favorable things about the Augustiner brand of beer, so we ate at one of their larger restaurants just off the Marienplatz. (There are six local brews and any pub or restaurant generally only serves one of the six.) We sat and Carl ordered a beer for me, which got me instant street cred from the waiter. I ordered a pretxel to accompany said beer and was passed a basked from the other side of the bench table. Apparently you just keep count and tell them at the end of the meal how many you had.
The dish I ate was a mix of things and far too much for any one person. Shame, the leftovers would have been amazing! I had a couple of meatballs, some HUGE raviolis, spaetzle, topped with cubed carrots and potatoes, with a GENEROUS portion of mushrooms in a cream sauce over half of it. Then, for a finishing touch, there were crispy fried onions sprinkled on top.
Fighting off food coma, we made our way safely home. Another successful day in Munich!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Day 10 Munich!
My morning was actually quite restful, spent some time catching up on-line, looong overdue, and scouted around on-line for additional sights to see. I'd set out around 10 to catch a tour and got terribly turned around in the neighborhood.
It was a nice opportunity for me to get a glimpse of daily life here in the city. Moms dropping the kinder off at schule, commuters riding their bikes through the streets in vast numbers, church bells tolling the hours, people ducking in & out of the train station, dodging trolleys, and darting through the cross walks.
Carl returned home later than expected and had a conference call. He'd sent me out to investigate a speed dating event being hosted by a local group. I'd heard of such things but never ventured out to one, I thought it at least worth looking into. The name of the pub where it was to be hosted was Molly Malone's. I chatted for a bit with an honest-to-goodness Irish barkeep. After a time she let me know that the speed dating event had been cancelled, but since I had time to kill I quizzed her about Ireland and how she had come to be in Munich. I also got a bit of a language lesson from her, both in German and in Gaelic!
When I got back to Carl's place we set out on a wallk through the neighborhood. He filled in with stories of main attractions and a bit of history along the way. We passed through the courtyard outside the royal residence where Hitler delivered his speeches. There was a posh shopping district a short ways beyond that as well as several other large plazas. We ate dinner at an Afgan restaurant and by combination of Carl's translation and the waiter's half-English recommendation I ordered some delicious lamb kabob with rice and spinach. Two sauces were brought to the table, one bright green with a delayed spiciness, while the red had an unexpected tang and little black seeds which we both preferred. I drank black tea flavored with 'Kardamom' which was also quite good.
After dinner we walked to the Hofbrauhaus for beer and dessert. It had begun to rain on the way and I wiped my glasses as we made our way through the boisterous crowd gathered around the entry. The mix of voices had become dinstincly more English and it was apparent that this was a popular tourist spot. We made our way to one of the long, bench-like tables and sat next to a few patrons who sounded Brittish. I'll have to check with Carl on the spelling of the dessert we had, but it was delicious. I found that I actually have a preference for German beer over sparkling water and that 1 pretzel is more than enough for two people!
I will post photos when I have the chance. I left my laptop back in Madrid and will and photos when I return.
It was a nice opportunity for me to get a glimpse of daily life here in the city. Moms dropping the kinder off at schule, commuters riding their bikes through the streets in vast numbers, church bells tolling the hours, people ducking in & out of the train station, dodging trolleys, and darting through the cross walks.
Carl returned home later than expected and had a conference call. He'd sent me out to investigate a speed dating event being hosted by a local group. I'd heard of such things but never ventured out to one, I thought it at least worth looking into. The name of the pub where it was to be hosted was Molly Malone's. I chatted for a bit with an honest-to-goodness Irish barkeep. After a time she let me know that the speed dating event had been cancelled, but since I had time to kill I quizzed her about Ireland and how she had come to be in Munich. I also got a bit of a language lesson from her, both in German and in Gaelic!
When I got back to Carl's place we set out on a wallk through the neighborhood. He filled in with stories of main attractions and a bit of history along the way. We passed through the courtyard outside the royal residence where Hitler delivered his speeches. There was a posh shopping district a short ways beyond that as well as several other large plazas. We ate dinner at an Afgan restaurant and by combination of Carl's translation and the waiter's half-English recommendation I ordered some delicious lamb kabob with rice and spinach. Two sauces were brought to the table, one bright green with a delayed spiciness, while the red had an unexpected tang and little black seeds which we both preferred. I drank black tea flavored with 'Kardamom' which was also quite good.
After dinner we walked to the Hofbrauhaus for beer and dessert. It had begun to rain on the way and I wiped my glasses as we made our way through the boisterous crowd gathered around the entry. The mix of voices had become dinstincly more English and it was apparent that this was a popular tourist spot. We made our way to one of the long, bench-like tables and sat next to a few patrons who sounded Brittish. I'll have to check with Carl on the spelling of the dessert we had, but it was delicious. I found that I actually have a preference for German beer over sparkling water and that 1 pretzel is more than enough for two people!
I will post photos when I have the chance. I left my laptop back in Madrid and will and photos when I return.
Day 9 Travel to Munich
Most of my morning was actually spent in my flat (apartment) in Spain. I straightened my room and packed what I would need for my trip to Germany/ Austria.
My roommate Christine was home, and what a blessing, made tea! We chatted for a bit before she headed off to work and I decided that since I was packed I would head to the school (TtMadrid) to see if Ben was still there. I found him working on his course plan for June, but was able to distract him long enough to get directions to the bank and say good-bye.
On my way out I finally got to meet Natasha, the progran coordinator I've been working with to get enrolled. I had met the program director the day before when Ben walked me over and the two of them were leaving, so we had a quick chat on the way out. They reinforced how much of an easier time of things I will have, having arrived early and gotten my bearings a bit. I have to agree.
It was roughly three hours 'til my flight was due to leave so I decided to walk to the Metro line that goes directly to the airport. I found an ATM along the way and got a couple of Euros for the trip. I'd purchased a 10 trip pass for the Metro when I arrived and Ben had given me the heads-up about the supplemental fare charged for the airport trip, so I felt good about being able to navigate that part of the journey. When it came to figuring things out at the Spanish airport...that was a different matter.
A crazy airport experience with trams to 'sattelite' terminals later, I arrived in Munich.
I had no baggae to claim, so I followed the crowds and green arrows to the exit. It is SO much more convenient traveling with only my backpack and purse and not having to wheel around my big suitcase!
Off to the left I spied Carl and waved, smiling when he caught sight of me.
He'd had a string of long days and short nights as well, so we were both pretty weary making our way out from the airport. It was a train (mostly above ground) that we took back to his apartment. He lives on the 1st floor, which in Europe means that you're typically only going up one flight of stairs. He gave me the tour of his place; which had been updated. Some of the fixtures are really stylish and unique! We marvelled particularly over the style of windows.
I realized I'd eaten very little today, so we rummaged through Carl's kitchen and put together a meal. He'd even bought bread on my account, what a sweetie! After eating we took a look through some travel guides and on-line to scout out some options for me to see more of the city while Carl is at work in the morning. There is a forum on-line for English speakers in Munich and it looks like there are several activities organized for this weeked which should be interesting.
Sunday he is taking me to a 'Bavarian' breakfast which apparently consists of beer, pretzels, and a white (veal) sausage. When in Munich!
My roommate Christine was home, and what a blessing, made tea! We chatted for a bit before she headed off to work and I decided that since I was packed I would head to the school (TtMadrid) to see if Ben was still there. I found him working on his course plan for June, but was able to distract him long enough to get directions to the bank and say good-bye.
On my way out I finally got to meet Natasha, the progran coordinator I've been working with to get enrolled. I had met the program director the day before when Ben walked me over and the two of them were leaving, so we had a quick chat on the way out. They reinforced how much of an easier time of things I will have, having arrived early and gotten my bearings a bit. I have to agree.
It was roughly three hours 'til my flight was due to leave so I decided to walk to the Metro line that goes directly to the airport. I found an ATM along the way and got a couple of Euros for the trip. I'd purchased a 10 trip pass for the Metro when I arrived and Ben had given me the heads-up about the supplemental fare charged for the airport trip, so I felt good about being able to navigate that part of the journey. When it came to figuring things out at the Spanish airport...that was a different matter.
A crazy airport experience with trams to 'sattelite' terminals later, I arrived in Munich.
I had no baggae to claim, so I followed the crowds and green arrows to the exit. It is SO much more convenient traveling with only my backpack and purse and not having to wheel around my big suitcase!
Off to the left I spied Carl and waved, smiling when he caught sight of me.
He'd had a string of long days and short nights as well, so we were both pretty weary making our way out from the airport. It was a train (mostly above ground) that we took back to his apartment. He lives on the 1st floor, which in Europe means that you're typically only going up one flight of stairs. He gave me the tour of his place; which had been updated. Some of the fixtures are really stylish and unique! We marvelled particularly over the style of windows.
I realized I'd eaten very little today, so we rummaged through Carl's kitchen and put together a meal. He'd even bought bread on my account, what a sweetie! After eating we took a look through some travel guides and on-line to scout out some options for me to see more of the city while Carl is at work in the morning. There is a forum on-line for English speakers in Munich and it looks like there are several activities organized for this weeked which should be interesting.
Sunday he is taking me to a 'Bavarian' breakfast which apparently consists of beer, pretzels, and a white (veal) sausage. When in Munich!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Day 8 Travel to Madrid
Old friend, new friends and my home away from home!
Lisa, Christine, and Ben at a first night dinner featuring a dessert with pastries from Ben's favorite Argentinian run pasteleria.
Yesterday London, today Madrid, tomorrow Munich!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Day 4, 5, 6 & 7 London and all points North West
We also caught a couple processions of the royal horse guard and band!
Also, the guards aren't messing around when it comes to getting too close to places you shouldn't be...like the gates to where they stall the horses. ...for example.
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