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Published: December 14th 2008
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The English Gardens
They didn't quite look like this when we were here, but apparently in Summer..... ***Because of our distrust of the computers in Thailand, actual photos will not be available till we are home***
There's nothing like getting off one train and then straight onto another. There's also nothing like being given wrong directions from someone that looks like a reliable staff member. After walking around Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) for half an hour we eventually found the U-Barn to Eching. Not before chowing down on another amazing bratwurst, though.
Susan, Kell's aunt, and Nicky, Kell's cousin, met us at Eching Station. By that stage we were a sight for sore eyes, and we were glad to be welcomed into their house. Yes, a house, a real house, we could walk up stairs downstairs and out into the yard. Amazing! There was a kitchen, a
working kitchen, a TV, lounge, the list goes on. Though most importantly, the most precious of all, a washing machine! It's not that you can't find a washing machine when your backpacking. It's that you couldn't be bothered finding one, and you can't afford to pay for one. Plus you have to wait for it to wash, then stick it in the dryer, it's a huge ordeal. Anyway we were now in paradise.
If anyone has met Margie Masson, they've pretty much met Susan too. Susan was unaware of their similarities, but they are there. It was refreshing to have a mother figure around. You know someone who cooks, cleans and drives you around - just kidding mothers. Well there is a smidgen of truth in that; we ate like we were back in South Africa or at home, we had assistance with our washing, and we got driven around Bavaria.
Nicky still had school during the day, so the next day we got taken on the full tour of Munich, Susan as our guide. Our train ride into Munich was reminiscent of our Budapest encounter, though this time it wasn't Kell or I in the wrong. It was our gracious host, Susan. Kell and I had our Eurail Passes which covers the U-Barn in Germany. Susan on the other hand had no ticket, we had to sprint to make the train and there was no chance for getting a ticket in time. Though, unlike Budapest, in Munich there aren't train cops waiting for you at every stop. No, in Munich they are ON THE TRAIN. Though not always, but, we think, because of Oktoberfest they were out in force. We first noticed the authorities 10 minutes into our half hour ride. They were making their way towards us, fining people as they go. Panic, struck the three of us and we started to make plans. Everything had to be done very naturally, so as not to raise suspicion. We would simply get off at the next stop, Susan leading the way, with Kell and I hiding her. The problem was that the particular section of track we were on had no stops for another 10 minutes. The authorities were getting closer and I tried to reassure Susan. Adrenaline was pumping through our veins, but there was hope yet. Another felon had slowed the process down. It seemed a lot of people were avoiding buying the ticket today. We could feel the next station getting closer and closer and just in time we arrived. This particular station would not be high on anyone's list, it is only one or two stops from Hauptbahnhof, meaning a lot of people get on, to go into town, but not many get off. Surprisingly though we were joined by quite a few others exiting the train on that particular day.
We were all high on adrenaline and Susan rationalised that because we didn't get fined, we could afford to have a nice dinner. After buying the appropriate ticket and getting the next train into town we were shown around Munich. Munich is a beautiful city but the most amazing thing, i thought was the English Gardens. Not just your average park, the English Gardens cover 3.73 square kilometers which makes it the largest city park in Europe and larger than New York's Central Park (3.4 square kilometers). They have crystal clear rivers and streams and plenty of bird life and it actually feels like you are wandering through the woods. After the Gardens we made our way back into town and did some shopping with the money we saved on not washing our clothes. After this we were treated to a traditional German dinner of bratwurst and sauerkraut, at a traditional, historical restaurant (I can't remember the name, Susan can help). We ate off tin plates and all, delicious.
The next thing I can remember doing was a day or two later, Susan took us to Oktoberfest. I don't quite know what I expected it to be but I was surprised. It is basically the Easter Show, but all the boring animal stuff is sectioned off and you have to pay more to see it. And instead of Show Bags in the halls its beer, pretzels and hats. Outside the beer halls are rides galore and the usual 'carni' games. Food-wise the best thing is the half a metre long sausages in a roll (the roll obviously isn't half a metre).
Susan showed us through the Beer Halls, and we all had a laugh, then a beer at one of the quieter tents. Nicky showed up with his friends after school and Susan took her leave. We now had a group and we were on our way to try and find a seat in one of the tents. Naturally, it started to rain and we couldn't get into any of the tents. A little sweet talk from Nicky though and we found ourselves inside, but without a seat. The problem was that without a seat, you'll be without beer. After fifteen minutes or so of walking around the hall trying to squeeze onto anyones table, a few of us scored a seat right underneath the band. I say underneath because the band is on a stage that's about 3 metres high. The rest of us lent on the stage and waited for our chance. It wasn't long till all of us were sining merrily and dancing on our chairs. The next morning was a different story, though unlike Nicky we had the luxury of
not going to school that day.
Lauingen
Lauingen is a town in the district of Dillingen in Bavaria, Germany. It is located on the left bank of the Danube, 5 km west of Dillingen, and 37 km northeast of Ulm. Thank you Wikipedia, it is also where we were headed next. Susan and Kell's Uncle George have a beautiful old house there. George took over as tour guide and showed us around his home town. The town is stunning, your classic small German town. George acquired the key to the old Church Tower in the center of town, and for once we didn't have to battle against the tourists to see the sights. We were the only ones up there and the view was amazing.
The next day the four of us took the 'Romantic Road' to Nördlingen. Nördlingen is a town in the Donau-Ries district, in Bavaria, Germany, with a population of 20,000. It is located in the middle of a giant meteorite crater, called the Nördlinger Ries. The town was also the place of two battles during the Thirty Years' War. Today it is one of only three towns in Germany that still has a completely established city wall, which we had the pleasure of walking. Well we didn't have time to walk the whole thing but we did walk a quarter of it. The town is beautiful but a bit,
too perfect. Church bells ring every half an hour, which personally would drive me insane, but to the 90%!r(MISSING)etired population (maybe not 90, but you get the drift), it was music to their ears. We again scaled a Church Tower, this one was higher, and because its on the Romantic Road we shared it with a few tourists. From the tower you can see that you are right in the center of the crater. Quite a sight, and on descending we were rewarded for our efforts with the mighty, deafening ring from the bells. It was great actually, the whole tower vibrated as we watched the centuries old bells do their thing.
The rest of our time in Lauingen was spent stuffing our faces with the home made German cuisine, much to our appreciation. Thank you Susan.
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