"Munich"

I can honestly say this weekend in Munich was one of the greatest times that I’ve had in a long time. Not just because I got to travel alone to a new country, but because I got to spend some alone time with my dad. This weekend in Munich reminded me of everything that I was missing back home. I realize, no matter how crazy and hectic my life has been here that I will always miss my family and friends back home. Kenosha is a part of me, whether I like it or not. Enough of sad talk… On to the good stuff!

So the first day that I arrived at the airport, my dad and I had to play a short little game of hide and seek. Little did we know, I landed in Terminal 1 while he landed in Terminal 2. But with a little help from my knowledge of Spanish, I got to talking to a group of people from Madrid (the flight I took to Munich) and they pointed me into the right direction of an almost 20 minute walk to find good ole Kevo (who had not only been waiting for me, but just had an almost 8 hour flight before seeing me… WOOF). However, despite how tired he was from lugging my extra large bag (thank you mom, girls, and Jane, Mike, and John) he still seemed excited to see me. We picked up our rental car and headed off to the hotel! The weather the entire weekend was pretty crummy (coming from a girl who has had, at the coldest 50 degree weather,). It was a little snowy, cold, and was pretty much overcast the whole weekend, but that definitely didn’t hold us back from any fun!

First night we got unpacked, showered, and went exploring to the glockenspiel and the hauberhause. And my God… the beer was LARGE and the attraction to the wild, loud, craziness was even LARGER! I loved it! Unfortunately, on the way there we were stopped by the BILLIONS of policemen that were patrolling the area because of a “security conference” that was taking place in Munich all weekend. So… We randomly began walking, trying to finagle our way through the streets, until we ran into this unfortunately, awkward man wearing a traditional “German” get-up. He had tall leg warmers (plaid if I remember correctly), awkward khaki shorts, suspenders with that thick wasted belt in the middle of his chest, with a large and obnoxious beard shaving brush poking out from the top of his hat (see picture in the album). So, my dad told me “let’s follow him! I bet he’s trying to go to the same place we are!” Oddly enough, that’s EXACTLY where he was going! So we went and had a beer and a HUMUNGO pretzel as a little appetizer. From there, we decided to walk down a little more through the markets and find a little something to eat. When we arrived, we met this nice German couple that told us “if you’re waiting to be seated, GOOD LUCK! They’ll never come,” They could spot us from a mile away! So we decided to sit with them and share a few drinks, stories, and get a layout of the land from a “German” prospective. We get to find out her name is BEERget… yes, I said it. Beer then “get.” I know what all of you are thinking, probably the same as I was, I WOULD meet a woman named BEERGET! Anyway, she is originally from Germany and is now living with her loving husband in D.C. They come back every year to visit family and friends, etc. Little did we know, we would end up spending the ENTIRE night with the couple and they would even help us find our way home.
Onto the second day… My dad and I met up with his co-worker Stefan and his son Timmy. We visited King Ludwig’s castle, which is historically known as the castle in which the Disney castle resembles. Although the weather wasn’t amazing, the castle was worth the trip. Not too much to see since only 3 rooms were completed in the 2 and a half years it took to furnish them, but he mysteriously died in the process, which ceased all construction on the castle. The interesting thing is that he wanted to have each and every room be themed. One room was swans (because he was obsessed by their beauty), his throne room was themed around the 5 sanctified kings in Europe, and his theater, of his favorite play (Tristan and Isolde). Very interesting, very beautiful, but I was definitely expecting to see more. The day was bitterly cold out, tons of snow (whiteout), and I found out that I had a few little holes in the bottom of my boots… JUST MY LUCK! However, minus the cold weather and the little bit of castle we got to see, we got to spend the day together and Stefan and his son were a blast! Not to mention, we later grabbed dinner with the two of them and his wife. During dinner, of course had a pretzel (had one every single meal of the day while I was in Germany, I mean that’s what they’re known for anyway!) and then tried duck for the first time. It was very good, but the second I began thinking about eating duck, I wasn’t very hungry anymore. After dinner, Stefan drove us back to the hotel and dad and I were off to the local sports bar to check in on the qualifying games for soccer. However, one creep (who told dad he liked his jacket, drunken and crazy German man) and a drink or two later, we were ready to explore the hotel restaurant area then head off to bed.
Sunday, we took a walk on bus tour of the city of Munich and got to get some GREAT pictures! Definitely an exploration day, not to mention we actually slept in! We woke up around 9:30, grabbed a tasty breakfast from the hotel, and went to the bus tour. Finished around 2:30 and got the car packed up, checked dad into the next hotel, and sent me off at the airport, which is where I am now with the BOMB new tiny computer (thanks so much Danny!).
All in all, the weekend was a success. Got to visit a place I probably wouldn’t have otherwise, got to see my dad, and got to meet some amazing people along the way. I had a blast! Now, unfortunately I need to go back to Spain and watch the super bowl until 4 in the morning! Needless to say, I am DEFINITELY roughing it! 

Love and miss you all! Hope all is well!

Laur

“Danke shoen!”
"Thank You!"

P.S. A quick little update… My flight to Madrid was delayed almost 45 minutes. So I get off the flight to sprint to my flight to Sevilla because I realize that I have only 20 minutes to make it before takeoff. To make sure this was true, I read the updated list of departures, sure enough… 20 minutes to make it to the FURTHEST gate on the opposite side of the airport (just my luck). So, being the determined woman I am, sprint through the airport nearly taking out a group of 10 elders and 3 children, to arrive at my gate while they are typing in the re-scheduled time of departure due to the other delays… HONESTLY!? Just my luck! So now I am sitting alone, panting in a corner in my own sweat and stench that I am afraid of being worse than any European’s I have ever smelled. At least I made my connecting flight, right?