We woke up around 7:30 and got ready for the day. We had breakfast, then went back to the train station in search of bikes to rent. We found Radius Bikes and rented two bikes for the day.
The guy that helped us was pretty funny. “There is to be no alcohol or drug consumption while using the bikes… Only Germans are allowed to do that” he says, then laughs hysterically at his own joke. He also informed us that they close at 6:00 because unlike Americans, Germans have things called “personal lives”. I couldn’t argue with him. We are workaholics.
We started by riding to the Viktualienmarket to pick up some fruit and bread for lunch. We also decided to buy some bulk nuts. They cost Є7… ooops!
After the market, we rode up to Max Joseph Platz, then up to Odeonsplatz. At Odeonsplatz, we heard beautiful violin music. There was an attractive young girl playing various classics such as Bach’s Air and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at the foot of a large cathedral. I sat there on the steps next to a lion statue and basked in the beauty of this place in both sight and sound. This is one of my favorite moments of the trip thus far. Finally, I tore myself away even though I wished I could have stayed forever.
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We moved on to the Hofgarten. It was filled with flowers and fountains. A cello player was playing in the Diana-temple.
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Next, we moved on to the Englischer Garten. It is a humongous park in the middle of the city. The size has to be comparable to Central Park in NYC. In the park we found a swiftly flowing stream and some surfers were practicing on some rapids under a bridge. Who knew we would encounter surfers in Munich?
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We rode around the park some more and came across a small beer garden. I purchased a couple bottles and received a couple gummy snails as a treat. We sat down on one of the big lawns in the park and enjoyed our lunch.
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As we were lying there it looked like there were nude sunbathers off in the distance. At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but then, sure enough, I saw the butt cracks of a couple dudes just wandering around.
It was interesting that families were on a leisurely stroll next to nude sunbathers and nobody seemed to care. The only people that were gawking were tourists like me. I am ashamed.
I think my dad would actually like this place. Every year his shorts at the lake get shorter and shorter. The full body tan would be no problem to accomplish here.
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After lying in the sun, we rode up to the north end of the park and paid a visit to a beer garden next to a lake. I think I saw this place on one of our Rudy Maxx travel videos. It was a beautiful day to enjoy a beer outside. Darcy had a Radler (beer with lemonade). It was very refreshing. I wish I had ordered one.
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Next, we decided to take our bikes back so we wouldn’t have to keep them overnight. We rode back through the park and I couldn’t believe how many people were sprawled out on the lawns.
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Back at the bike shop, the same funny guy was working. We discussed various topics with him. On thing he was wondering was if American girls would dig his German accent. I said sure, especially in the Midwest. The sheltered midwestern girls go crazy over anything different. I remember these two guys in college who were studying abroad from England. They were ugly as sin, but could have had any girl on campus because of their British accent. I doubt the German accent would have the same effect, but I had to give the guy some hope.
After returning the bikes, we regrouped at the hotel where Darcy washed her feet in the sink. She has some obsession with her feet.
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We had supper at City Lounge where the food was excellent and well priced. Next, we did some shopping on Kaufingerstrauss. I bought a pair of stylish white dress shoes. They fit right in over here, but my co-workers back in the States are probably going to make fun of me. Darcy bought a pair of green flats and she “just loves them”. I hear this all the time.
On our way back to the hotel, we encountered a string quartet playing outside a store. They were really good. They were even selling their own CDs.
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I can’t believe how many musical performers we have encountered on the streets of Munich. And, they all have been very good, quite a bit better than the homeless guy playing the trumpet in downtown Minneapolis. You wouldn’t even need to attend concerts here. Just walk down the street and it is likely you will hear beautiful music.
On the way back we also witnessed the aftermath of a car/streetcar accident. Don’t mess with public transportation!
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I’m not sure where we are traveling tomorrow. We may travel to Mittenwald (German town in the Alps), Innsbruck (Austria), Zürich (Switzerland), or all the way to Interlaken (Switzerland).
Click here to see all our Munich photos.
1 comment:
For the record, yes, Midwestern girls like men with accents...any accent...except maybe Indian accents because it reminds me of Apu from The Simpsons.
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