Stuttgart to Munich
We began our trip with a flight from Atlanta to Stuttgart and then a leisurely drive to Munich. Interestingly enough, we passed a car on the Autobahn with a Georgia license plate (which must have been a recent military transplant). Trying to get into Munich we ran into some wicked traffic, which we discovered later, was due to a strike on the main road into town. Nevertheless, we made it in OK.
Munich
I can't remember, but I think we spent about 3-4 days in Munich. The hotel, Hotel Acunthus, was just outside the old town wall. After arriving, we walked into the old town to grab some lunch. Having never been to Germany or any other German-speaking country we had some initial issues with the menu. I ended up ordering a large hunk of meat that was mostly fat on bone and a large potato dumpling. I can't recall what Stacy got, but I think she used more discresion in her choice. After lunch, we explored the downtown area a bit and then took and nap a had a casual dinner.
We relied on recommendations in Gourmet and other magazines to find restaurants that would give us a good sample of real (not tourist) Bavarian cooking. We did alright. There was one brewhouse right off the main square that was frequented most by locals that we ended up going to most often. Overall, the food was hearty and the beer was delicious. I even tried bloodwurst without realizing it (until Stacy told me after I ate it what it was). I enjoyed the food more than Stacy, but still I think I'd get tired of it after a while. Oh yeah... the pretzels were incredible as well.
We were at the "usual" place one evening having a beer and ended up striking up a conversation with a German couple who asked to share our table. We talked about a lot of different things, but what I remember most is that they really really missed drinking light beers like Bud Light. Apparently, American beers a light enough to have several drinks at lunch and still get back to work and be productive. They picked up our dinner and we got their card and promised to send some Bud Light (but never did).
For some reason, I had a hell of a time trying to sleep in Munich, laying awake most of the nights I was there. I still don't know what the issue was but it ended after we left Munich.
Saturday, November 30, 2002
Munich Surfer Dude 1
To create streams and water features in the English Garden, those efficient Germans just diverted the Isar river into the park. As the water returns to the Isar, it exits through some drainage channels and this one generates large enough waves for guys to surf on them. They would jump on the wave and ride back and forth for about 30 seconds before falling back, swimming to shore and hiking back up for more. Quite unexpected in the middle of a European city.
Karwendl Mountain Cable Car
Upon arriving in Mittenwald, we decided to take the cable car up to the mountain. After talking Stacy onto the cable car, we made the trip up and it was amazing. In this picture, you can see the cables in the foreground and way way up at the top, you can just barely make out the mountaintop station. The mountain face was extremely steep and the ride was exhilirating.
Stacy in both Austria and Germany
The ridge above Karwendl is the border between Austria and Germany. There are stone pillars every now and again with O (for Osterreich) and D (for Deutchland) on either side. Thus, we snapped pictures of both of us standing in both Germany and Austria at the same time.
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