Munchkin - Munchen

For the record, I mean no offence to anyone. Unfortunately you get a look into my brain with this blog so if I offend for any reason I sincerely apologize, but it's who I am. 

We had a great day in munchkin, a relaxing morning, followed by a walking tour by the one and only Rick Steves. To bad the guy didn't have some kind of point system or something, cause we would be winners, we have done so many tours by him. We saw a lot. A lot of churches and old buildings that is round. Interesting part of the city is that 65% of Munich was destroyed in the war. Funny enough the leaders had chronicled the city, or somehow documented how the city look, and after the war they rebuilt the city. So many of the old structures looking buildings were only made to look that way but really aren't that old. There is a mix between old and new buildings here.

This is the New town hall. Funny enough, but not haha funny, the old town which is to the right of this building was completely flattened in the war, and had to be completely rebuilt. THis building was not. Also apparently in 2012 they found a bomb from the war, and the bomb squad couldn't disarm it so they actually had to set it off. A massive explosion. There is many unexplored bombs yet to be found. Slightly unnerving as Rick tells you to watch your step. Yea okay, now I'm nervous that there is some how going to be an unknown bomb beneath my feet that could explode at any moment. Gee thanks man. Anyways Luke laughs and tells me to get over myself, and then pats me and says in a sarcastic voice 'it's okay Linnie it's not real shhhh.' 

 

Also please remember I am not a speller. MY oh so loving husband has noticed I have missed numbers in my Salzburg post, oops, and also spelt wrought iron as rod iron. Well how am I supposed to know I am not a mechanic nor do I specialize in metals, so feel free to laugh along side him, and know that secretly I will forever be embarrassed of these facts but will never admit past this page.

Walking the through the streets here is interesting as there is such a mix of old and new. On one side of the street you have a super moder looking building and the other you are transported to a small European town. I continue to enjoy the diversity.

 

The top middle picture is the old town hall that I mentioned above. The top right picture is the Jewish synagogue that was rebuilt. We saw a lot and walked and back tracked many a time today. 

The weather was decent. MUCH cooler, which Luke was all over, me not so much I was quite chilly and wore a sweater all day long. 

 

These are two of the most interesting churches we went into today. We went into and saw a number of them so this is saying something, the far left 2 pictures got together and the other 3 go together. Interesting thing about the three on the right, is that as you mayb sort of be able to tell from the top middle picture, the church is right up along side houses. In fact the two brothers who built the church built it right beside their house. Sneaky guys cut the corners in a number of ways, as it was a sample church for people to see their work and hire them to do churches. Examples o their sneakiness is that the pillars aren't actually marble, they are wood painted to look like marble, but the ceiling may be the most impressive part as it has a dome shape to it. But it really doesn't, it is just painted in a way that gives the illusion of the a dome. 

 

Along the way today we came across a number of interesting things. Munchkin also has a number of passage ways that go through buildings to get to other streets, instead of walking around the buildings. This is pretty cool. But makes me think maybe they were a lite lazy when rebuilding their city. But I won't complain as we walk a ton throughout the day a sneak through passage is fine with me. The top middle and right hand side picture are in the ceilings of two of the passage ways we walked through, we also decided to stop at a Starbucks fro a bit today, enjoy a warm beverage and watch the passers by. Was a great part of the day to just sit and enjoy conversation. The bottom left corner is of the May pole. Now I kind of checked out when he was talking about the significance of the May pole I will tell you why in a minute, but every year on the first of May they change the poles out, this is a very important day to them. The reaso I couldn't concentrate was because he had mentioned that there is more then one May poles around and different districts try to steal the other peoples May pole, and so leading up to May first the poles are heavily guarded, as if you succeeded you were owed a lot of beer in exchange for the pole back. Of course all I could picture was a city wide game of capture the flag, with the most giant and easily flag there is to be seen. What pride you would feel if you did succeed in that! Also on our way home we enjoyed the music of a piano player in the middle of a square, playing lovely tunes.

 

The rain eventually found us, but nothing to crazy like last night. But we were prepared and love our umbrellas and use them at any excuse to avoid getting wet at all. What you cannot see in the top left picture is that in the dome there is a man playing cups. HE IS AMAZING! Although I can still only think of miss congeniality when I see this, and apparently it is a thing in Europe. But anyways he was playing the nutcracker waltz, or whatever the most famous one from the nutcracker is called. Was super impressive. Aren't we cute with our umbrellas!! Also we always enjoy our time together nothing but bright smiles, sometimes we get fancy and take pictures with pretty flowers in a garden we are sitting and enjoying.

 

It has also been brought to my attention that maybe I enjoy Luke's birthday week festivities maybe a little more then I should. But I ASSURE you he is to. 

For birthday week today Luke really got a treat. A litre of beer and pretzel!!! The best smelling pretzel guys, I wanted to eat it so bad. That was specifically for birthday week, but we were at Hofbrauhaus. It is a sweet place! Can you find the picture of the Oompa Loompa band?! They fit right in here in Munchkin! They were very entertaining! Also lederhosen here is normal attire, and many wear it out as casual wear and to the bar. They also are super talented in how the serve their beer. Holding 6 litres mugs in one hand and stacking another on top then taking more in their other hand. We are convinced that they are determined to take every Oder out at the same time, no matter how large. They also have an auto pour for the litres it's great, we were close enough we got to see all the action. The bottom right corner is a picture that is actually quite interesting. The locals and regulars can buy a glass and a spot and lock their mugs up and keep them at the restaurant. The dark picture to the right of my wine glass is of a regular man just sitting enjoying his mug of who knows what. He seemed to be quite the opinionated guy, especially when it came to his table, because regulars also have a specific table reserved just for them, he was very picky on who he would let join him at him table.funny to watch though.

 

We even left our mark as many others did on the table, but SHHHHHH it's a secret. LOOK AT THAT PRETZEL! Screw the yummy chicken and potatoe salad I had I wanted that pretzel. Was a great time sitting and enjoying the authentic Bavarian music and watching the people together. Also we love food so that part was great as well. We also went in when it was starting to get rainier, so it was a great escape.

 

These amazing pictures were taken outside of the German hunting and fishing museum. I don't think that anything needs to be said about them, except that I love my husband, and I love when his silly side comes out! Certainly compliments mine quite nicely. 

 

Another great day! Fun filled walking around keeping warm and staying dry. I would say a successful day! Great memories were made as they are everyday. Now that the city has cooled off we will hopefully get a less sweaty sleep.

And so the adventure continues...