Much to do in Munich

Again, Sorry for the long update between posts. I have been really busy lately. I feel like I'm finally starting to settle in here in Brno which leads to me being more and more busy. Last weekend I got to get away from Brno for a couple days and spend the weekend with Abby Ayers in Munich, Germany.

Munich is such a wonderful city and in some ways completely different from Brno. The biggest difference is the friendliness of the people. In Brno people aren't friendly until you really get to know them, and then they are the nicest people you'll ever meet (or so I'm told), but in Munich you can meet someone for the first time and they treat you like they've known you forever. I was fortunate enough to get to spend time with Abby's colleagues throughout the weekend, and they all welcomed me with open arms. I felt like I was one of the group right away; I could not have been more appreciative of that. Also, one day I was roaming the city by myself and met these two wonderful Italian men who were working in Germany. I sat down next to them in a beer garden and we struck up conversation immediately. It was great to be able to be out in the city and talking to people; it also helps that nearly everyone in Munich speaks English.

Side Note: Of course Munich is known for it's beer, and I must admit that it is not as good as Czech beer. So for those of you have been to Germany but not to the Czech Republic, you must go and try Czech beer to compare.

So while I was in Munich I was able to eat some delicious meals (one not so delicious meal) and see the center of the city. Before looking at my pictures you should note that Munich is a very new city because it was basically destroyed in WWII. However, my pictures are focused in the historic part so it will give you an almost false representation of the city. At any rate, let the photo tour begin...

German countryside (looks much like Czech countryside)

Marienplatz Square and the "New" Town Hall built between 1867 and 1908 but made to look much older than that. (it is actually older than the "Old" Town Hall-- it was destroyed in WWII). About half-way-up, above the red flowers, you can see the Rathaus-Glockenspiel. At 11 p.m. everyday (additional times in the summer) it reenacts events from the 16th century, including the plague and a jousting match. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr9cRyLiFhk&feature=related

The famous Hofbrauhaus. Founded in the 1500s by the Duke of Bavaria. An interesting fact is that beer houses can't refuse anyone service unlike restaurants or pubs, so if you need to go to the bathroom and don't want to pay, this is the place to do it!

Traditional Bavarian music.

Dinner and drinks at Hofbrauhaus

The inside of HB was huge. Multiple levels and could easily seat thousands of guests.

Inside the Munich Treasury were many different crowns and jeweled items that had belonged to members of the royal family and the court of Bavaria throughout the past 1000 years.

In the treasury.

Above are photos from inside the Antiquarium in the Residence. It was originally constructed to house all the statues but has since been used for large meetings and dinner parties. The entire Residence is absolutely amazing. The detail in every room is magnificent and to think that the whole thing had been basically destroyed only about 60 years ago.

Another room in the Residence. The gold plated ceilings that are seen here were common throughout the entire residence.

Part of the series of Ornate Rooms in the Residence. The walls are red velvet fabric. This room was used as one of the many reception areas throughout the residence.

This is from the Green Gallery. It was also used for dinner parties.

An additional room (I don't know the name) that was decorated extremely lavishly. All the mirrors and windows were installed to better reflect the light in  order to make everything shine to its maximum potential.

As you can see I toured on Saturday, GO BUCKS!

Cuvillies Theatre is also on the grounds of the Residence. 

I'm not sure what this is, but it was cool! If anyone knows I would appreciate finding out.

The front of the Residence. It sits right up with a park and it really a great place to hang out. I found a lot of locals and tourists there eating lunch or just sitting on the benches enjoying a coffee.

Towers of the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). Unfortunately, one of the towers and the front of the church is being renovated right now. 

Inside the Church of Our Lady. This is Pope Benedict XVI. He was an Archbishop in Munich from 1977-82.

The inside of the church. There is some great history and stories about this church including the Devils Footprint and Jewish emblem on the ceiling.

That concludes the tour of Munich; hope you enjoyed the tour and I can't wait to read your comments!