Last stop on the list was Munich. It proudly carries the slogan of the Beer Capital of the World. They tell no lies. But far more important than this fact is the city of Munich itself. What an incredible place. It was the birthplace of the Nazi party and pretty much everywhere you went had some kind of connection to the Nazis. Talk about crazy. Of course, the entire city center was bombed by the British and the Americans in WWII and Hitler knew this was going to happen so he had photographers go throughout the city and take super detailed photos of EVERYTHING. Then he hid them in an underground bunker and later when the American's came back to clean up their mess the photos were discovered and they were able to rebuild the city exactly like it used to look like. So all of the new buildings look just as they did before the war but just made out of concrete. It is super crazy.
There were some buildings and churches that survived the war and being able to stand next to those was just unbelievable. We went on a free walking tour that ended up being about 4 hours long in the rain and cold but was by far the best walking tour I have ever been on. The guide who lead ours was so excited about everything he talked about. It was almost overwhelming to be standing in the streets of a place I had only seen PBS specials about.
What amazed me the most were the German people. They are incredible people. Not just saying that because pretty much my entire family came from there. I mean their work ethic is impressive. 60 years have passed since the war and it almost looks like nothing ever happened. And the people themselves are super open about everything that happened. I had the privilege to know 3 guys from Munich and 2 of them took us to coffee on Easter. So fun to be shown around by people who live in the places you visit. Makes them so much better. Becky also had a friend in Munich and he took us out 2 nights in a row.
The weather was absolutely horrid but I almost didn't mind.
window shopping in Munich is a sport.
cathedral on Good Friday. safe from the wind and rain
Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel
famous permanent outdoor market
copper strip is a memorial to people who defied the Nazis in Munich. cool story behind it.
Hafbraühaus-place where Hitler did a lot of his Nazi party organizing.
locals (very special ones) have a place to store their personal biersteins in the hofbrahaus
church that wasn't bombed
standing wave that is known world wide. there are always people surfing on it
walk through the Englischer garten
surprise snow on Easter morning
walk through the Olympic Park from '72
we got let into some of the training facilities to use the bathroom by what we are only assuming to be a German olympian of some kind..
so awesome. and very very cold
really cool hang out spot
Granada from the sky
Now I am back in Granada awaiting the arrival of my family on May 26. Seriously cannot wait to see them 9 months is a long time..
But for now, I am enjoying the time I have left here knowing that it will be gone before I know it.
