Munich

I arrived to my hostel and was told that my room would not be ready until 12. Usually check in is at 2, but I was on the first floor… it was about 7:30. I had no idea so I went on the internet for a bit and then decided to go into the cold. I walked for a bit and came to a huge fountain. I needed to go through 5 cross walks to make my left turn … I had a red light for each cross walk. I was warned by someone that you should never jaywalk in Germany, so it took me about 5 minutes to make it to the other side of the street; ridiculous.



The town is beautiful and the most modern place that I have been; wide streets and shopping everywhere. Despite it being quite modern, many of the buildings had a Bavarian façade and layout, which I was not expecting from Munich. It looked like a market was going to be on the street and vendors were taking out their produce. I found where a tour would be leaving (at 10) and even found a farmer’s/food market in a square. I grabbed a Bavarian pretzel with cream cheese and chives (weird) and enjoyed seeing the fruits, cheeses, meats, and nick knacks.

I walked into a church that I saw others go into, it did not scream church. If I had not seem people go in, I would not have. It was interesting to see so many people go to pray before work. They came prayed and left. It was not a touristy place but it was beautiful. As I walked around they had statues that basically told the story of Jesus going up on the cross. Interesting to see the interpretation.

After I had warmed up, or perhaps gone numb (I remember at one point hoping I would not get an ear infection from the cold and wiggling my toes and fingers to keep them from going numb) I headed back to the hostel. I was so exhausted and found a spot and basically tried to sleep for a bit (unsuccessfully). At around 11 I decided to see if the room happened to be ready, and it was! I checked in the same time my roommate Katie did (from England). We unpacked together and chatted for a bit. She will only be here for one night and then she will head to see her sister in London. Tomorrow we are going to a concentration camp together and today…we split up.



She took the overnight train and got in when I did and was just as tired. After talking for a bit though, she got her second wind and went to explore while I napped. After an hour or so I got up and headed out. The street vendors had random stalls throughout the main street but the street was not lined with them (if that makes sense). It was not a true market just people selling goods where they could. I bought some figs and found a store that does wood work and makes the little things that show how sun can make energy.

It began to rain but I had my umbrella and kept going, stopping at shoe stores looking for closed toe shoes. I found a pair for 13 euro and another for 4 euro but did not get either as I did not think that they were good for the rain. I even went into some stores that were selling the traditional wear for Oktoberfest; aprons, frilly white shirts, etc. I don’t really get it…I mean is it like Halloween for a month long and everyone buys these expensive costumes to go out drinking in?

Anyway, it was time for lunch and I grabbed a shnitzle sammel(?) The woman said she liked the white one better so I took that one. It was acceptable (don’t know if I would order it again) and I finished the whole thing. It began to rain harder and so I headed back to the hostel. On the way it cleared up and I continued my store hopping on the way back as I still am not caught up on my sleep.