Munich 06/07.07.2017
(by Michael)
Christa and I started a training in January 2017. The coach had build a new web side and just launched it – and guess what: It did not work properly. The web side had cost him 2 million and he had so proudly announced it – and it just wouldn’t work properly. He was very embarrassed – but his clients did stay with him anyway and even send him cake and food to support his work all night through to fix the problems. In return he said he would celebrate his misfortune with a big party – which is why we went to Munich that weekend. And we did come 2 days early to explore the city at least a little bit.
We had a little AirBnB near the old town (Maxvorstadt) which was great to start from. It was a loooonnng time since I have been to Munich before. This was when I was a pupil – must have been 15 or 16. All I remembered was the technical museum (the lightning experiments impressed me the most) and a very brought road which was obviously made for parades.
We did our first exploration the same evening – equipped with lots of tips from our great host. We passed by the Pinakothek, lots of restaurants, an ice cream shop with long cues in front (the ice must have been extraordinary) and then came to a (the) broad road – Ludwigstraße by the name.
We walked along it and eventually crossed it and headed towards the English Garden where we found surfers surfing the Eisbachwelle. Christa was amused because she is from Sylt and therefor knows surfers from the North Sea. Anyway it was not easy for them to stay upright in the limited space of the Eisbach.
Next day we headed for the center of the old town to see the Marienkirche, the old town hall and the Viktualienmarkt. The architecture is impressing and sometimes surprising: We found a basketball hoop on the top of a several storage high building. Impossible to remember all the places we have been to. Interesting the texts on some houses. this one translates to: “Everything a house should cover. Therefore, what is happening in there, do not babble about”
The Marienkirche had to be and at he old town hall a large crowd was waiting for the top of the hour:
From there it was not far to the Viktualienmarkt – basicly like a very big weekly market, but open all days of the week and with very good offerings. We had our lunch there and afterwards, being tired meanwhile, went back to out AirBnB.
In the evening we went to our party that was happening opposite side of the Isar. It was quite a bit to walk – but we did walk anyway. We met friends at a beer garden next door and then went in all together. I have to say we had good luck as I forgot our tickets – but we where let in nonetheless.
1500 did come. So it was quite a crowd. Nonetheless when we were sitting outside after the opening talk 2 friends came along that had been looking for me to meet me the first time in person. We till then knew each other from phone calls only.
After a rain shower we all went back to the beer garden next door because it was soo crowded. We had to dry the benches first. So we sat and had a good chat and Christa found a new friend – the little daughter of a young couple sitting next to us.
When we walked back in the night we were caught by big rain shower. Even though we tried to protect ourselves in a house entrance we got quite wet. Not really a problem – just another little adventure. Next day we drove back home. Not a good idea to go to Munich by car by the way – there is just no parking space (as in all major cities).
6. – 8. Juli 2017 München / Fucked-Up-Party
(by Christa)
Thursday afternoon in Munich – 10 days before we have still been in Barcelona, the city that spills with life, joy and high spirits!
Munich is more subdued, bustling, cooler, already from the temperatures, although it was sunny and warm.
The streets are tidy and clean, the houses well-kept and the people restrained-cheerfully. On the great boulevard there are remarkable architecture and churches – many photo motifs for Michael. He looks at the city with curious eyes and discovers hidden angles and treasures (to be seen in his report).
I need to feel the city, to perceive its atmosphere and smells, to capture the people in their outfit, their movements and temperament, which was so easy for me in Barcelona through the openness and impartiality of the people there.
In the Englisch Garden: People were resting everywhere in the meadows. The surfers at the bridge in the artificially generated waves could not particularly excite me. For surfing, it needs for me the vastness of the sea, the waves that roll on from afar, the wind that blows the sails and disrupts the hair. This was a skills game and it found many spectators.
The next morning a stroll over the famous Viktualienmarkt. Here it is lively, creepy and colorful. It smells of fruit and flowers, of cheese and fish, of olives and roasted sausage. Seduced by all the odors, we landed in a small wooden hutch and chose a midday dish, without knowing exactly what we were going to eat there, but it tasted well.
And then the party in the evening. Here everything pulsed: It was veeery full, very loud and very omitted. I danced (barefooted) until my ears beat, and afterwards I had trouble finding Michael again. We finally pulled over into the quieter beer garden next door under a large umbrella, which always again had to keep a rain shower off us.
After a few timid looks, a little girl came to me and brought me a tiny little flower, then another and another – and we were friends!
How uncomplicated children are !! So there started a stimulating conversation with the parents and our friends that we met there.
On the way home we were caught by a powerful shower. I was soaked to the skin, and would have liked to pull out the squeaking sandals. But city streets are not a sandy beach !!
The next morning a last look at the city when fetching our car which was parked far away. And I knew, if I can choose, I’ll go back again to —
Barcelona!!