Two Completely Different Experiences in Munich

Munich, Bavarian country, a lot of history and some very different experiences it has to offer. Here’s what I got up to in my two days in Munich.

Day One

Dachau Concentration Camp

I was cold. I was hungry. I was sad.

But these feelings can not compare to the freezing conditions, starvation and devastation of the Dachau Concentration camp.

You cannot stand in a gas chamber or look into the furnace of a crematorium and not be devastated.

I don’t really have such more to say because I don’t think there are words to describe the inhumane acts that occurred. I think it’s best summed up in the words written on the plaque at the memorial: Never Again.

Sightseeing
I used the rest of the day to take in the sights of Munich. I can now see the advantage of taking tours because the various buildings weren’t as much interest go me without the story behind them.

I was, however, entertained by the hordes of tourists surrounding the Glockenspiel, a clock tower. Every single phone was out filming this wondrous event at 5:00pm. The bells go and there is a very unimpressive performance from figurines. Everyone was glued for the full 15 minutes. I wonder how often they’ll watch that footage back.

Meals
Münchner Suppenküche: A soul-warming soup with bread from a lovely, really old german lady you could probably pretend is your grandma. Isn’t that enough to melt the hardest of hearts? Pretty ideal for the cold weather which was a low of 1°- ridiculous!

Augustiner Brau Munich: A noisy, busy beer hall that served traditional food. This place was packed so I sat at a communal table and ended up making friends with two Italalian transport workers in Munich for business, of course. I got the famous pork knuckles with potato dumpling and sauerkraut, as well as a place to stay if I ever go to Verona. Thank you!

Cafe Frilehurt: My delicious treat for Munich was the Schmalznudeln, which was basically a German doughnut, a delicious German doughnut. Not as sugary as your average doughnut which I like!

Day two
Nueschwanstein Castle

This is the castle also known as the Disney castle or ‘the place where dreams come true!’ I don’t think I wiped the smile off my face all day. To start off, it was an absolute cracker of a day! The sun was shining, the birds were singing. If I had actually been a Disney Princess I’m sure I would have woken up singing and then got dressed by talking field mice and other adorable animals.

You get to the castle by catching the train through the glorious mountainside. Then you push through the crowds as gracefully as you can (remember you’re a ‘Disney Princess’ and definitely can’t head-but anyone) to get to the bus that takes you to the bottom of the castle hill. From there, if you want to continue the Disney facade you get take a horse and carriage up to the castle, or you take the less magical bus. Or, option three for all the peasants, is a leg-burning, heart-pumping walk to the top. I think this is the best option anyway, it shows the ‘Disney Princess’ with stamina.

When you’re at the top and up close to a flipping castle you stand in awe for a couple of moments and think; ‘How the heck did they build this thing?’ When that question wares off you walk to the bridge where you can get the classic ‘Is this even real life?’ view of the castle. Then snap a couple of photos, cause let’s face it, you want to make everyone jealous with this one.

After that, to be honest, I just used the bathroom by the entrance of the castle, and they were free! Then I decended, because I was only interested in looking at the outside of the castle, and I didn’t want to fork out another €13 to go inside and wait with the crowds. I arrived back in Munich at 4:00 and still had plenty of time for activities.

If you want more details on how to get to the castle check out this blog, or book a tour.

English Gardens
Still on a high from my castle experience I continued on to the English Gardens to make use of the sunshine. Everyone else was doing the same. It was a stunning afternoon with people riding, sun-baking and picnicking everywhere. One guy also thought it was appropriate to go for a dip in his jocks.

I also happened to follow the sounds of a brass band to a beer garden that was the real deal. Hundreds of hungry and thirsty Germans enjoyed the atmosphere while sucking down the biggest mug of beer I’ve ever seen. Then to accompany their litre of beer was a pretzel that would put all pretzels to shame. You would need two hands to pick the thing up!
Two completely different experiences each day yet the generosity of strangers remains. It reminds me that it’s pretty easy to focus in the evil in the world, but if we do that then we miss out on all that goodness.