München - Old World Charm, Modern Vibe

On Tuesday Ulla, Katharina, Theresa, and I took the train to Munich. Remind me to bring something to read next time, for the train ride is and hour and a half. Riding the train among small farms, cows, and such lush country side is not such a bad thing, however. To the left Theresa is sleeping as we ride along the tracks.
The first place we came to upon leaving the train station was the city center, called something starting with an S that I have utterly forgotten. It becomes increasingly difficult to remember all of the new complex words you learn each day. I think you sort of have to pick your battles, this word I want to remember, this one not quite so much. Really, I want to remember everything, but that is not quite possible. This city center is the beginning of the Fußgange Zone in München (a street/streets where people can only walk, and sometimes bike ride), and has a large fountain in front with people sitting around and talking a break from their Jobs or enjoying people watching. In Winter, its a really nice Ice Skating rink. To the right is the city center, and at left Theresa and Ulla are entering the Fußgangezone. Its fun because München is an extremely old city that is home to a huge amount of churches, castles, and old monuments, but also houses the best shopping in Southern Germany. The entire city is a mix of extremely modern and couture shops, German beer houses, Cafes, and Boroque era Architecture. Every building we visited was utterly gorgeous.

After stopping for some coffee at one of the many Cafes along the street, we visited the Frauenkirche, the most famous München attraction. The Frauenkirche, or Church of the Virgin Mary, was built in the 15th century and was dedicated in honor of Mary. Inside there is a tomb from Kaiser Ludwig, a Kaiser of Bavaria in the late 1200s, many stained glass windows, and beautiful arching ceilings. The church has two large towers standing above it, which, normally, when you think of Munich, you think of these two towers. It was cool to stand in a place that was so old and to observe all of the detailing in Architecture. The tomb of Kaiser Ludwig is to the left, and pictures of both exterior and interior surrounding.

After the church, we were able to walk around the new townhall (Radhaus)a little bit. The house was built in the early 19th century in a New Gothic Archictural form. It had flowers all around and people milling about, It was really gorgeous. In Winter, there is a Christmas market in the center where a restaurant is currently housed. In front stands a statue of the Virgin Mary, and down the street a bit is the old townhall that is much older and in a more traditional German style. There were little gargoyles on the walls and extremely intricate everything upon the walls.

After visiting the Radhaus, we decided it would be a good idea to hike up to the top of St Peter, a Glockenspiel built in the 11th Century. I think I just about died from stair exhaustion. I didnt care enough to count how many stairs we went up, but we hike for a very long time until we stood at the very top of the city, looking down on all of the streets and buildings and seeing as far as the Alps to the south. Ulla didnt care to come up to the top and risk becoming sick from the height, but we made it safely back to the bottom without losing anything. The steps are entirely too tiny, so we had to wait as people went up as we were coming down, or vice-versa. It was actually quite funny. The day was so beautiful, that I think that was my highlight of our visit to Munich. Absolutely gorgeous. Below I have a few pictures I took of the city from the tower.

Katharina is climbing the tiny stairs at the top-right as Theresa and I smile for the camer at top-left. After our adventure we took a water break and began searching for something to eat for lunch. (Left)

On our way to find a place for Mittagessen, we visited the famous Hofbräuhaus, which really isnt that nice when you actually go inside. I like the cute little cafes better. The ceiling however, was painted wonderfully. I guess it is utterly packed during Oktoberfest, the birth city being Munich. Artists and Officiates were already starting to prepare for Oktoberfest, which starts September 21st-ish. The family and I will go for the first days festivities, but not much more as far as Im aware because I think its a little bit too tourist-packed and generally busy for Ulla and the Büchter family. There isnt much of a festival in Kempten, but Im excited anyway. Across from the Hofbräuhaus also stood a "Hard Rock Cafe", and I found that very funny. The girls however found it quite cool. The famous painted ceiling of the haus is to the right, inside on the first floor.

We also took a walk along Maximilianstr, the most expensive and ritsy street in Munich. It is also home to a museum-castle and a beautiful church Behind the castle which was being renovated, a beautiful park stood where we took a break for our aching feet. It was also sort of funny to see these police officers tramping around on horses, but I didnt get a very good picture of them.

We concluded our day by eating lunch at Augustiner am Dom, I had bratwurst and german potatoe salad and Apfelsaft (apple juice with sparkling water). I was also introduced to a Bayerisch meat, Lebenkäse. It is sort of like bologne, but in looks more like a steak or something. it is really not good, and Im not entirely sure what its made out of either. Theresa had this mushroom soup that was exceptional, but you can only get the mushrooms this time of year. Shopping was of course included after some good eats, and I realized my new buy will have to be a pair of shoes, given the state of the blisters on my feet. We then hiked back to the train station and Theresa and I watched the Pferde Flüsterer, "The Horse Whisperer". Overall, a very good day. Below I have some more pictures of Munich.