Germany - Munich / Bavaria

 I'm sure a lot of you - or at least those who have put any thought into it - may be wondering why I'm all of a sudden back in Germany. Well I was told by several people (including a stranger in a cafe who was listening to a conversation) that there just isn't much happening in central Germany. So I made a detour to Prague, which became a whole thing in the Czech Republic, but I've finally returns to G-town in the form of Munich. The capital of the south.

Munich is kind of the economic powerhouse behind Germany. Berlin is 'poor but sexy' - Munich is where the strict, time-orientated and unintentionally rude stereotype of Germany comes from. I was fortunate enough however to couchsurf with the ever-delightful Murat who is Turkish but has lived in Germany for several years. All the delights of Germany without having to apologise for existing too loudly. Murat's beard and long hair were both amazing - obviously we got on well.

(Majestic. Even in the face of a "Hey Murat, SMILE!")

I only really spent one day in Munich, and then one day in Bavaria but both were v. satisfying, y'know?

Munich Day involved such a logical path of activities I was impressed at myself. The market on Viktualienmarkt, the English garden for a rest (and naked people ... Germany does that you guys), watched the river surfers, saw the angel of peace, strolled around the technology museum, saw a church or whatever and then went back to the apartment to have some beers and pasta with Murat.

(Like Couch Surfing but on a river instead)

(Gold and grey - you guys I should be a famous photographer)

Now I've GOT to say that Munich has the largest science and technological museum in THE WORLD. So you'd think "Oh Kris, you studied science, you'd love this place!". Wrong. Well ... not right in any case. This place is super big yeah but it's full of things like steam engines and water wheels. Even the 'Modern Technology' part which I really wanted to see was pretty dull. Not really hands on; just a lot of stuff to look at. I don't need to see a picture of a DNA analysis machine ... show me cool genetic experiments!

(Literally the two most interesting things in the museum - and both involve meeeee)

It was a beautiful day and I had a great time walking around town! I had an amazing sandwich (aubergine and sundried tomatoes largely but with a pesto-y mayo) and some cherries at the market so I still actually managed not to spend too much money. I've been looking for some cheese from Norway that I discovered but alas ... Just as well as the morning was spent trying to wrangle with banks and eventually getting my friend in England to send some money etc. Don't lose your bank card overseas kids! It's a fucking pain.

The next day I was amped to head to the south and do some hiking in Bavaria. This is the south part of Germany with the alps and awesome natural sights; it's also the place where lederhosen, big steins of beer and food bigger than your face come from. However the weather was a bit grey - forecast to thunder! I manned up and jumped on the train anyway. I had planned to go to one town in particular but then the train I caught was heading straight to another town that I had also investigated so I just went there instead... Tegernsee.

(Pretty innit)

At the station I just started walking uphill and eventually found myself on a walking trail strolling though a forest. After quite an uphill climb the path opened up to a fantastic open field at the top. There was a restaurant at the top but I ONLY HAD 6 EURO so I couldn't buy anything. Well ... nothing GOOD. So I strolled back down and as I went I started to collect wild flowers which I put in my beard. Passerbys loved it. I removed them before I hit general public in town don't worry.

(Four pictures in a row - can you handle it?)

At the bottom, in the town, I had a quick exploration and found beautiful houses all with flowers! I was absolutely dying for a typical Bavarian feast so I asked the tourist office (cringe) for the nearest typical Bavarian restaurant (cringe) - a short walk later and I was sitting in an outside beer hall and you guys ... the pork knuckle I had was ... cathartic. I gorged on pork and beer (plus pretzel) for quite a while until I walked, slowly, back to the train.

(At the time of writing this - the memory is still vivid)

Munich was great! A really cool city. I had arranged for a carpool from Munich ALL THE WAY TO LYON (which took 11 hours) and while I was waiting for my ride a lady stopped, spoke German, then said in English "Are you lost? Do you need some help?". That, my friends, was the perfect way to end my time in Germany. I didn't really need help lady but gosh darn THANK YOU for asking!!