Munich, Germany

Munich, Germany

Last Sunday we hopped on a Croatia Airlines plane and got off in Munich. As early as 8.30 a.m. we were on the S-Bahn that took us to the Dorint Novotel in the vicinity of the old airport or what they now call 'Messestadt'. Although the check in was at 3pm, they had our room ready for us.

The ride to the center took about twenty minutes. From Sendlinger Tor we walked to St. Peter's Church, or as they call it, Alter Peter. We climbed the steep, narrow stairs to the tower from where the view was splendid. Moreover, we happened to be on top at 11, right on time to see the world-famous Glockenspiel. After the show we wanted to try the Bavarian Weißwurst as well as their famous drink called Radler (bier and lemonade) in one of the popular Biergartens. The Viktualienmarkt was close by, but unfortunately nothing was open, so we headed for the Hofbrauhaus, a must for all the tourists. But what a disappointment, since it's just an ordinary restaurant with waiters. After that we walked all over the city, saw most of the sights, I especially liked the Geschwister-Scholl-Platz with their leaflets in the pavement.

Later that afternoon we ended up in a real Biergarten, the Chinesischer Turm in the English Garden. Some might argue that this one is not the real McCoy either, because it's a bit too touristy, but it gave me what I was looking for. Big wooden tables, self service, Haxn, Haendl, and Leberkaes, all delicious Bavarian specialties. Along with Radler, of course. I'm perfectly aware of the fact that I'm nothing more than an ordinary tourist, but somehow I feel I have the right to feel a bit more knwoledgeable, since in 2001 I was on a school exchange in this city.

Together with a colleague of mine and eight students, we were guests of the teachers and students of the Nymphenburger Schulen, and were taken 'kreuz und quer durch die Stadt', which gave us the opportunity to see the city through the eyes of a Munchener.

Anyway, our flight back home was on Monday evening, so we had the whole day ahead of us. The boys wanted to see the Allianz Arena, which was of no interest to me at all. I wanted to buy as many things as I could afford in the four H&M stores in the center, which was out of question for them. So we were all perfectly content with the decision to go separate ways. We met again in the Viktualienmarkt biergarten, which was now open, and late in the afternoon the subway took us back to the airport.