Much Ado about Munich

This past weekend I took the train to Munich to see a lovely friend of mine, Miss Carrie Lawler! Carrie has been living in Munich since August and is also a nanny! We were both very excited to see each other, as she confirmed...it's a little difficult to make friends over here, especially when you don't speak the native language.

Carrie lives in this FABULOUS apartment in the city center of Munich, two blocks away from the grounds where they hold the Oktoberfest festival! Very exciting. She and her boyfriend, Hannes, took me around on a bike to go out in the city both Friday and Saturday night. Carrie also had an extra dirndl, the tradition German-wear with the corset/dress and apron, so we BOTH wore them around Munich! It was so much fun!!!

Friday night we met up with their friend Robin and the 4 of us ate at a very cute local Italian place....wearing out dirndls...needless to say it was an evening full of culture. Then, we moved on to have a beer at a bar called the "Schnelle Liebe" (fast love...ha!) and Robin explained to me about all of the types of beer here in Munich, the BEER CAPITAL of the world! We had a great time.

The next day, the weather was absolutely GLORIOUS! Sunny, and warm! Carrie and I went on a 3 hour walking tour of Munich and we got to hear all about the history of WW2 and how it was rebuilt after the war. We also heard a little Hitler history, and about lots and lots of Bavarian culture. I loved it! We went through the Marienplatz, saw the huge Glockenspiel (the largest working cuckoo clock in the world!), went through Frauenkirche, the open-air market, St Peter's Catherdral, Maximillian Strasse, the Opera house, and Odeonsplatz...I could bore you all the fun, wonderful history we learned, but I shan't. Now I have much more on my list for my next visit!

That afternoon, we went to see Alice in Wonderland (in ENGLISH!!) and did it the American way...3D glasses, popcorn, candy and a coke. It was divine. Loved the movie...made me feel like I was at home!

Saturday night Carrie and Hannes took me to the Hofbrauhaus, the most famous beer hall in the entire world. We had a beer in a LITER jug...amazing! Also, by the time we had finished our beer, we had made friends with our entire table of people, not to mention a large group of Belgians. Funny how that happens after a liter of beer...hmm....

What a wonderful weekend! I absolutely love Munich, the people here are very proud of their Bavarian and German heritage, and I love all of the culture here. Not to mention the history!