Munich.

So, we are home now. And just getting over the jetlag. And figuring out which end is up. And remembering how to use our appliances. So I write these last few posts to finish up our journey. But I can't promise to dazzle ya. Cuz I have 20 minutes until I need to pick up a kid from a birthday party. Back to reality...

We had Munich on our radar as a must visit, even before we left for our trip. So we drove down there and checked it out. It was about a 5 hour drive from Trier. Not too bad. Mark had his sights set on visiting a few museums, including the aviation section of the Deutsches Museum. We were just tagging along to play and explore.

We tried for a few days before the trip to book a hotel in Munich. We kept seeing "No vacancy" on our searches. What the heck? And we weren't willing to spend a lot per night. After all, we were coming to the end of our journey and we didn't need to shell out MORE money. Oy. So we played with the computer for a while and used google maps to find a hotel in a suburb of Munich, called Planegg. There was a train stop right near the hotel, with a 20 minute ride into Munich. We booked 6 nights, because there was a lot there we wanted to do and see.

We got to Planegg and were pleasantly surprised at the area. It was relaxing and suburby. It had some good restaurants and a grocery store next door to the room. And the hotel included breakfast. May I suggest doing this type of thing the next time you are going to a big city. If you can swing it. You get much more for your money. And sometimes being away from the hustle is a good thing. You can clear your head and feel refreshed, ready to start all over again the next day.

Our first morning we took the train into Munichs main square, the Marienplatz. There we saw the famous Glockenspiel Clock. We knew that it chimed at 11 a.m., so we waited. And that baby rang for a good 10 minutes. I swear.

We headed over to the Viktualienmarkt. This is an area with food stalls as far as the eye can see. gorgeous, overpriced food. But it was fun to sample and gather and munch. We eventually sat down at a beer garden (biergarten) and had us a 1/2 liter and some sausages. Go figure. And this would serve to be the theme of our stay in Munich. Beer and sausages. Burp.

That evening we ventured back into town and hit up the Hofbrauhaus http://www.hofbraeuhaus.de/de/bilder/index_en.php?gal=0
This is one of the oldest beer halls in Germany. And we figured it would be over touristy and cheesey. Nope. It was great. The band played the traditional "Get sloshed to Oompah music" music. And the food was pretty good. And the beer was REALLY good.

Our favorite beer hall was one that had childcare. Umm, hello? Dreamy. So we checked the kids in and chose a table nearby (no, not near enough to hear Maya screaming). And we had a good 10 minutes peace before they came looking for us. With Maya in tow. Allright, so it was nice to have Casey in the daycare for an hour or so.

The next day mark too off for the Aviation section of the Doytches (k, I spelled it up top, don't make me do it again) Museum. I took the kidlets to the Aquarium right at the Olympic Park. That was cool to see where they held the Munich Olympics in, er, I think 1972. The kids loved the aquarium too.

We spent a chunk of time at flea markets (FlohMarkt) in Munich. Ya see, we started collecting beer glasses while we were in Germany. Not the big huge ones, but the average sized ones that you get with EVERY beverage there. And they all have the name of whatever concoction you are drinking. And we found about 25 or so. So we replaced our drinking glasses with them at home. So if you come over and grab a glass, don't worry, only thousands of people have drank from it also. No worries.

We even managed to come up with a pair of Lederhosen for Mark and Casey (good dress up stuff) and then a Dirndl dress for Casey and maybe even me too. Halloween should be interesting this year.

We fit in a trip to the zoo and some other stuff too. We were pooped. We had a great stay in Munich. This city is full of things to do and see. And it has a familiarity and friendliness to it that we really liked.


Showing Maya the ropes


Poor kid. Not having ANY fun


The famous Glockenspiel clock up at the top of the picture


Gorgeous colors at the Viktualienmarkt


Oh, uh, paddling a canoe inside a sporting good's store


Ms. Bavaria, complete with her Dirndl dress and beerstein


Gimme a "C"


In front of the Hofbrau Haus. That was fun.


More fun with pretzels


At a beer hall. Eating. Again.


On th train into Munich

An afternoon all by my lonesome

So, it was the day after Easter. And in Germany it's a holiday, along with the Friday before Easter and Easter day, of course. And that meant that everything is CLOSED. Oh, my. I had the kids on Easter, while Mark went to a glider airport and played. I entertained the troops. And come Monday, I was ready for a break. So before I tossed the kids in front of a moving train, Mark ordered me to take the day for myself. And I went for it.

I read about a place in Luxembourg that had a festival every year, on the Monday after Easter, where they sell these clay birds, called Peckvillchen. They are hand painted and you blow on them and they whistle. Okay. Why not. And we hadn't really explored much of the old part of Luxembourg. So, off I went.

Here are some of the views I was greeted with...


Not too shabby.


So I walked around for a bit. Picked through the Pickvillchen and found a special one to bring home. I happened upon a flea market and found a few goodies. Started our beer glass collection. Picked up a few cool ones from beers brewed in Luxembourg. Kewl.

Knowing a had a glorious day to myself, and not having to choose a child friendly restaurant, I had so much fun browsing the restaurants and picking just the right one. I read the prix fix menu board and decided upon one that I thought sounded good. It was in French or Luxembourgish. Either way, I took a stab at it.

Nummy

White asparagus with a warm herb vinaigrette.

Lamb with potato cakes and baked tomatoes


Oh, and I forgot to take a picture of my dessert. A rhubarb tart and a cafe latte. Oh yeah. Oh, and no one was bugging me. Or asking me for something. Or breathing near me. Or looking at me. Yeah, apparently I DID need a day off. Ahhhhhhh.

I wandered around for a bit more and took in the sights. And smiled. And wandered. And rejuvenated my soul. And headed home, ready for Mommyness once again.