Mellow in Munich

After spending the larger part of the week lounging around camp by the zoo in Munich, Paul's knees feel better and we are ready to get back on our bikes and head to the Danube. (Cautiously of course). But what have we been up to here? That's a good question actually. It seems like we haven't done much and it's nice for a change. But I feel the need to fill up this page more than four lines so I'll share some highlights:

1. Hanging out at camp reading The Omnivore's Dillemma, a very interesting book that we highly recommend, every morning at our own secret covered picnic table by the river. This camp ground has been very wonderful for us. It's probably the cheapest place to stay in Munich while Paul rests for an uncertain number of days. The staff is very friendly (The old man at reception offered to give us a ride to the U-Bahn tunnel) and the small number of campers are quite laid back and also friendly (one man offered to cook for us). There's a little grocery store, a little laundromat, a kitchenette and high pressure showers. The bus stop is right in front of camp; though, the first time we saw our bus we hardly realized it was our bus. It was a van full of older folk with the bus number scribbled on a piece of paper and slapped to the window. The automatic doors opened like a bus, though once we were seated, we thought we might have gotten mixed up with the local retirement community's Tuesday outing.

2. Viktualienmarkt This is a daily, year round market, just like Pike Place Market, right in the center of Munich. Every afternoon, we stroll through the wide open cobblestone walkways, stop by 4 or 5 vendors and assemble our lunch at one of the several picnicktables lined up next to the stand where you can buy a liter of beer (and most do).

3. Pinakotech Modern Museum This museum features art, design and archetecture from the 20th century Modern period. This is funny because it features Modern examples of industrial design such as a chronogical display of Apple Macs that harken the days of grade school, and hundreds of chairs that two travelers with tired feet can only appreciate with our eyes. But the best part about this museum, in Sara's opinion, is an entire room devoted to the contemporary jewelry movement. Necklaces made of broken glass bottles, crocheted wire neckpieces and brooches made of plastic farm animals. The display changes every year bringing in new pieces and innovations in the field.

4. Hofbräuhaus This is just a plain good time for every tourist in Munich. It's a giant restaurant serving 10,000 liters of beer a day. Ten thousand liters! There's a band dressed in full Bavarian regalia playing festive tunes all night as hundreds of tourist clang their huge mugs together and drink up.

There's plenty more to see here so we better be off. But overall, Munich is a wonderful mix of old traditions, contemporary cultural movements and friendly, relaxed citizens. Stay tuned to see how we fare back on our bikes and on the road towards the Danube River!

-Sara and Paul

---

---