Meister Berger - Berger Meister

For some weird reason, being in the Bavarian region of Germany constantly reminds me of those Christmas shows from the 60s and 70s - the Berger Meister, Meister Berger was the villain from one of them who wanted to cancel Christmas. Weird what you think about while on vacation. I think it's the architecture that reminds me of those programs - or all the beer combined with German accents. But the place is certainly Christmasy to me!

I've finally come to the last leg of my trip and I'm starting to feel it. Tired, but enjoying the walking and seeing new places. Germany has been very interesting. They don't have much, if any, signage in English nor many menus,etc. Which is weird considering that every place else I've been was very accommodating in that way. Hmmm, it's almost like they still are expecting the world to be German speaking ... So I've been getting along by asking questions - everyone seems to speak English, they just don't include it on any printed material. The odd thing is that it's assumed I'm German before American - must be the blue eyes, height and "sturdy" constitution! There are also no English channels at my hotel except for 1 BBC news channel. Watching the Simpsons in German was hysterical.

I've spent most of my time in the old section of the city, which isn't really terribly old by European standards. Did have a giant beer in the original Hofbrauhaus - the version in Newport on the Ohio river is one of my most favorite places, so it was really wonderful to be in the original ... Until I found out later that it was also the site of Hitlers first Nazi shindig and that Munich was pretty much the birthplace of that movement... But we can't blame the Hofbrauhaus for that now, can we?! I am a huge fanatic of WWII history and being in Europe always gets my imagination flowing. Today I spent a somber day at Dachau Concentration Camp which was moving and amazing beyond words. To actually visit a place that I've read so much about and watched endless documentaries was truly a lifelong experience realized. I'm very tactile and need to see and touch things for myself. Hell, I would have licked the Parthenon if I could have arranged to get close enough! What struck me first was that none of the rooms that they processed all of these people, made them shower, confined them - none of them were terribly big. I was also struck at what a beautiful setting such horrible things occurred within. Apparently the actual town began as an artist colony and Dachau was the first publicized camp - it was actually the learning and training center for all other camps. I could go on and on but I won't. Needless to say it made quite an impact on me - the entire site is treated as a cemetery ... As it should be. Incredible.

Now for some observations and generalizations from my travels. I leave for Dubai tomorrow evening so now is the time for reflection!
1. All of the computer and electronic parts stores in Munich were filled with Middle Eastern men - not comforting considering what's been shipped around town lately by extremist groups.
2. No matter where you are, certain minority groups appear to always be at the bottom of the social ladder. I find this fascinating.
3. People will always stop dead in their tracks to look around in the middle of the busiest intersections
4. Line cutting is a common practice overseas
5. Strollers should be banned as should traveling with screaming babies and toddlers. Really, how much fun can that be for the family, let alone everyone else - what will babies and toddlers remember anyway?
6. Dogs get to go everywhere - both "go's" apply.
7. Canadians, Australians and Americans will always talk to you - this is especially great when travelling solo - you get bored with yourself.
8. Prostitutes don't like having their pictures taken
9. Politeness gets you everything - from room upgrades to freebies at the cafes
10. Having your laundry done at the hotel will cost you an organ, or an arm or leg
11. People are extremely fascinating

So now I head back to Afghanistinkistan. I don't even know my new address or where I will be living, but I'm very excited to begin this new adventure when I return. I will greatly miss the freedom to roam, decent Internet and things not exploding nearby on a regular basis - oh yes, and I will miss restful sleep. Thank you for the kind notes, feedback on the posts and pictures and on-going support during my mid-life cris... I mean "adventure". These last three weeks have been the experience of a lifetime and I hope to continue to compile them. I may get one more post in before I return, but if not, I have no idea when I will have Internet, etc, with my new gig. Will update as soon as possible. Hope everyone had a wonderful week!

Drink of the Night - a French Bordeaux

Old City Hall

Marienplatz

Hofbrauhaus!

inside the beerhall

market area in Old City

loved this flower stand

Intrance to Dachau

barracks on left, processing center on right

Memorial Sculpture

Second memorial - missing pink triangles (and a few others) 

markings of where other barracks buildings were

Jewish Memorial

Crematorium

Love for Sale

Amsterdam was a quick but really fun trip. The weather forced me into more touristy activities which ended up being great ideas. I arrived in Amsterdam early Monday afternoon after an educational train navigation trip. Made it from Brugge to Brussels but got off at wrong station (there were 3) so I ended up taking a cattle car, rather than the swanky Thalys line to Amsterdam. My hotel was in a great location and was a very quirky size and shape - loved it though. The staircase - as I was warned by my friend in London - was narrow, steep and was an instrument of torture ... For the guy who carried my bag up it. Went right to the main area and walked around, ate, drank some beer and later had a very nice dinner. The smell of weed wafted through the air at every turn. Sat in one of the infamous coffee shops and enjoyed a cocktail as I received a contact buzz from all the pot smoke in the air - I also smiled fondly at the wonderful memories of college that smell evoked.

that long building is where my hotel is located

the stairway of torture

some of the many famous houseboats

The second day was cold and rainy so I hit the Ann Frank museum that was right across the street from my hotel. Incredibly interesting experience as was the city's history during WWII - which is now overrun with German made cars rather than the "Nasties" (my term for the Nazis). From there I jumped in a cruise boat after purchasing a 24 hour ticket and rode two complete lines through the city. Perfect thing to do on a rainy and cold day. Really was able to see the city since walking wasn't going to be much of an option.


That night I ventured down the road to the Red Light District which was pretty tame - other than the women in the windows advertising their services and the live sex shows. Fun bars and very lively area. Apparently you are not to photo the women in the windows. I was taking pics of the canals and beautifully lit buildings when a very angry prostitute marched into her doorway and cussed me out in at least 3, maybe 4 languages - the last being English which I clearly understood and she gets points for her creative insults! What could I do but take my verbal punishment, hand gesture an apology and walk on. Her verbal tirade was in total contrast to her school girl outfit, I must say. And, I WAS trying to sneak a pic in of her storefront...

a happy hillbilly!

flower market

red light district

this is shot that had the prostitute seeing red - you can see her in the window if you look hard enough

this church was in the middle of the red light district

see, I was also taking pics of the buildings and canals

Anyangryprostie, I really loved this city. Similar to Brugge but much more urban. Wish I could have walked it more, but the weather did not cooperate. I have now just arrived in Munich so more on Germany in a day or so.

Drink of the night - Bier!

Brugge - Happy Halloween!

I don't even know what to say - Brugge is beautiful.  I arrived yesterday after an amazing stay in London and my gracious and generous hostess even walked me through the train issues.  Train connection was changed in Brussels and the only people who didn't move were all English speaking - conspiracy maybe? So I stood on the platform with some very nice people for an extra hour which was no big deal.  Arrived late afternoon and literally hit the bricks to stroll around this stunning city.  My hotel is very unique and I have an excellent view - very close to the Belfry and main square so once I find that I can navigate back to home base.

So after I arrived, I walked down to the main square and positioned myself at a nice little table to enjoy some Belgian beers.  Ended up sitting next to some awesome people from Canada - two sisters and their husbands - who kindly invited me to enjoy some drinks with them and then we walked down the way and had a fabulous dinner.  Extremely nice and fun people and a great way to spend my first night.  Only issue was that I'd had enough beer to cause me to read my map upside down and therefore it took me an hour to return to my hotel - which was only a short walk down the road.  Live and learn.  I even had to stop under a light along the beautiful canal to whip out my bifocals because I couldn't see my own map - I really don't feel that old, but apparently am.  Finally returned, opened my window and soon discovered that the buildings across the street were youth hostels and full of incredibly drunk adventurers - at about 4am I finally suggested (from my open window) that they consider having intimate relations with their own pie holes which was ineffective since nobody seemed to speak English.  No worries and I envied their Halloween weekend adventure which sounded like fun.  This morning I awoke and enjoyed a ciggie out the window only to get a little taste of pre-Amsterdam when I looked down and over and witnessed a very private "blanket wrestle" from my window - ah, to be in my 20s again!

the best cappuccino I've ever had!

private backyard garden along the canal

mind boggling building facade

Belfry at night

this was behind my hotel and I didn't know it until tonight

So today I walked until I wore myself out.  Began the day with the best cup of cappuccino I've ever had and a Belgian waffle with chocolate, strawberries, whipped cream, powdered sugar and a small dollop of ice cream.  Damn - this place isn't nearly large enough to walk something like that off, but it was delicious!  Totally lost myself in Brugge and discovered some amazing spots by just walking and not navigating with a map. A bit rainy this morning but cleared up late afternoon.  This place is seriously phenomenal. Finally made my way back, took a beer nap and then back out for the evening where I had a pot of mussels that were so delicious that they were sinful.   Really great visit and the perfect amount of time - two nights is about all you need here if you don't museum or do guided tours.  One side note, the only English speaking channel today played a Hanna Montana marathon - what the hell?? That show is horrible and so is that girl - long story short, the foreign programming was making sense to me after a bit - thankfully!

Tomorrow I'm off to Amsterdam - don't have train tickets yet, but will do that as I go.  Cannot wait to experience that city as I've been told by many people I will love it ... whatever that means... but I AM just a couple blocks from the Red Light District which I cannot wait to see and hang out and about in - and my hotel is across the street from the Ann Frank house so I will get a good mix of history and naughty all in the same place - sign me up!

Drink of the day - Belgian Zot beer - "burp"