I just got done spending the last 2 ½ days in Munich, Germany. What a WONDERFUL city. I need to revise my previous blog and I would have to say Deuchland is my top favorite place we have visited. The city is like a “new” Bavaria. It has preserved so much of the Bavarian architect and culture such as beer halls, medieval restaurants, locals bringing their stein to the pub down the street, Bavarian clothing and more. However it is a large city with several businesses, great transportation, Starbucks, and the most expensive street of shopping in Europe. Munich is known for their beer of course as well as where Hitler formed the Nazi party (although locals do not like to speak of this) and Oktoberfest!
When we got in we were starving so we headed straight to the closest authentic Bavarian restaurant. Luckily most everyone in Germany speaks English so they were able to help translate the menu because German is not the easiest language to sound out or guess the words (although I got a little better at the end of the stay J ) We had our favorite meal this night since we had been in Europe. First of all the beers they serve are HUGE and are all locally brewed in Munich, they are wonderful. Trevor and I both had schnitzels (mine turkey) and they both came with different types of potatoes… to die for!
The next morning we explored the city around Marianplatz (central square in the town). The hotel we stayed at (my favorite hotel) was only about a 5 minute subway ride from Marianplatz so very easy to get to. Lots of shopping, a large open-aired market, restaurants, Beer Gardens, churches, and museums. We decided to do a 3 hour walking tour which ended up to be amazing. We both learned so much about the history of Germany, Munich, Beer Halls, the town being destroyed in WW1 and WW11, Hitler forming the Nazi party, bullet holes in the cement that missed Hitler, etc. Traditionally the Germans do not like to speak of Hitler but as the tour guide said, that was a part of Germany’s history and shows how far the country and people have come. It is also illegal to do the Hitler “sign” and we heard on the news of a man getting prison time for repeatedly showing the sign.
We then went to my favorite restaurant the famous Hofbrahaus. The Hofbrahaus is a beer hall, the same beer hall Hitler used to make speeches in, locals were locked in to be forced to follow the Nazi party, and lots of other history. Today it is a fun atmosphere with a German band playing, a gift shop, and all of the servers are dressed in authentic Bavarian clothing. The beers are 1 liter and are served in a huge heavy glass and the pretzels are bigger than your head! We had a fabulous experience here and a delicious meal (I had Spatzle- thanks for the recommendation Steffan!) If we had a restaurant like this back at home it would be a packed house every night!
Yesterday we took about a trip to Dachau, which was the first concentration camp built. It is about 40 minutes way from Munich. I was a little hesitant to go as the Holocaust was such a depressing and horrible event that took place, but we were told that we must go and experience it and pay our respects. I told Trevor I wanted to get in and out of there but the memorial was so large and there was such much to read and learn about we ended up being there about 3 hours. Some of the buildings have been added, modified, or torn down, but most of them are preserved. We walked through the prison stalls, bunkers, gas chambers, crematoriums, and the museum that is filled pictures and memorials of those who died at this tragic camp. There were a lot of pictures taken of the camp back when it operated in the late 30s early 40s (it operated for 12 years!!), letters that prisoners wrote, bowls that prisoners were given to eat out of, and a lot of other objects preserved after the US military invaded and put and end to Dachau in the early 40s. (yay!). There are also 4-5 churches built on the grounds now including a Jewish Synagogue? I learned so much here and even though parts of it made me sick to my stomach I am glad that I was able to visit and pay my respects and be knowledgeable on what happened in history.
I am now on the train to Zurich, Switzerland which is where we will depart from tomorrow morning. Trevor has stayed in Zurich so we will show me around the city today and we will make our long flight home and arrive Thursday evening. I will try and write a little blurb about Zurich to wrap it up.
XO
Shawnie
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