On the last morning in Munich, for what I think will be forever, I pick up a few souvenirs. First to Kafer to buy a cloth shopping bag, and an Oktoberfest mug, complete with a glass Christmas ornament in the shape of a pretzel. I’d been wracking my brain about what little thing I could take home to the children and their families. Everything is very expensive here when the conversion rate for the Euro is factored in, so I had finally decided on a little shopping bag and a chocolate bar from Karstadt Dept. Store.
In front they had this rack of purses–with leather circle adorning them like the spangles of a belly dancer.
Across from them was the Slice-N-Dice guy, selling cheap plastic mandolins.
Around the corner from there was this beautiful doorway, and further on was this Goth dirndl, all decked out in red with a huge skull on the apron (below).
This is best shot I could get of the dress (sorry), but I loved the studded leather chair in front.
I head home on the bus, and finally got a shot of the doctored-up poster of the two politicians who were running for some office in the city. Nice fangs, guys.
And since I think it’s the last time I’ll see this city, I start getting nostalgic, taking pictures of the ornate staircase. . .
. . . and the sweet little lights by all our doors, telling our room numbers.
And then Dave comes home and it’s time to head to town for a last Touristy Blitz.
We walk down from the UBahn stop, past two models posing for a televison ad for Oktoberfest. They’re both wearing the traditional cookie, but with the web address of the TV station.
Good-looking Tourist by Ratskeller: Famous Place Listed in Guidebook
I show him Dallymer’s food emporium extra-ordinaire. This is Dave’s kind of shop, but like me, he realizes that we can’t bring it home, so we press on. Actually, we press UP and head up into the tower of the New Rathaus. Some of Dave’s shots are below.
I still like these multi-colored buildings, seen only from the tower.
And how could we leave without a photo of our favorite yellow church? You can see up the avenue to the monument I was at yesterday, right beside (visually) the beige tower with the pointed roof.
Detail of the clock across from us on Peterskirche.
Looking down into Marienhof Plaza, with its clusters of blue umbrellas denoting a place to eat.
Eat? That sounded good, so we made plans to wend our way down through the Rathaus like I did the other day, but the door was locked. We ate in a little shop on Marienplatz, taking our food up the stairs, through their back door and out into the alley. We sat on the side steps of a church, hoping it won’t rain. We scooted back into the rain shadow of the doorway and then we hoped it wouldn’t rain TOO much.
After lunch we went into this church, Peterskirche, and enjoyed the details of German craftmanship.
Saint Matthew, with his T-square
I know there’s a prohibition on touching this wood, but it looks so satiny, I almost can’t resist it. (I resisted.) But now I know why there’s so much of this carved wood for sale here. I just want to take it home with me.
Out the side door and into the Viktualien Market, right next door. It’s basically a large open square, with lots of tables and waitresses dressed up in dirndls, hurrying to deliver beer to thirsty customers.
On the other side are stalls of fruits, vegetables, and hand-made decorations for the home.
A view of the market and its maypole.
A local establishment at the edge of the market. Great decorative work on this one.
This is the one I want to bring home. I snap a picture to remember it. Next stop: English Garden, so it’s walk, then tram then bus #54 to the Chinese Tower, so Dave can see it.
The beer garden is beginning to fill up with Munich-ens, ready to relax after a long day. It is Friday, after all, and they are a social lot.
At the little restaurant aside the tower, there’s a private party. . . with a dirndl-clad waitress. I tell you they’re all over the place. I don’t know if it’s just because we’re very nearly at Oktoberfest time, or if this is just something the waitresses wear normally.
I’m always tempted by a large pretzel–these are nearly 12″ across. I saw people carrying their steins of beer, with these bretzels looped over their arms. But we’re headed for dinner after this, and I have to say no. Regretfully.
My guidebook says this place has 7,000 seats, and that brass bands play in the Tower on the weekends, up on the second floor. Regretfully (again), we won’t be here, as we leave early in the morning for home. We board bus #54, getting off near the stop for the Metro and walking down this fine street, with ornate plasterwork, interesting people, and lovely doorways.
It’s pretty rare to get photos of me, as I’m usually shooting away from the other side of the lens, plus I have to remind Dave to take photos of me. I do want proof that I was there in some fashion, although certainly at this point in the trip, not High Fashion.
This house looks like it is winking at us.
Our last meal at Kafer and the waiter is cranky. We finally place our order (he was NOT helpful) and then a few of Dave’s colleagues join us for a quick meal as the Kafer patio closes at 8, and the shop isn’t kidding. We stroll through Kafer one more time, see some bakery chefs begin work on a car cake. We all decide to go to HofbrauKeller for some warm apple strudel with vanilla sauce (and for our friends, one last beer).
Bob, Dave, Matthew (grad student), Luoping and Martha
Bob takes the photo so I can be in it.
As we finish, we hear the rain come pouring down. We all pause at the doorway, deciding what to do about the long walk back to our hotel. Dave looks at me, and of course, we didn’t bring our umbrellas this time. So, we make a run for it, sprinting through the downpour to our hotel. An eventful finish to a great week in Munich.
Auf Wiedersehen, Munich!