Munich

Up until today, Europe has been fairly warm with temperatures in the high 50s/low 60s. To me, this means a light jacket (unless I'm wearing a sweater). To the rest of Europe, this means heavy coats, hats and gloves. I've been a little confused by the attire.

But Munich was COLD. It truly warranted heavy coat, hats, gloves...and fur-lined boots. Of course, it wouldn't be the spirit of Christmas without a little chill in the air.

I was last in Munich about nine years ago, when I went backpacking after college. So it was fun to see some of the sights that I saw then. I did a lot of walking and toured the Residenz (the king's palace). I ate roasted chestnuts from street vendors (it was my first chestnut experience). I went to mass at St. Michael's Cathedral (one of the benefits of being Catholic is that you don't actually have to understand the language to still participate since it's all the same ritual...always). I listened to street muscisians perform classical and holiday music. And I ate some really great food.

Again, I always underrate Germany. Both Frankfurt and Munich have turned out to be such cute towns...even in the cold.






PS...take a gander at the outdoor muscians. Note the baby grand piano that's performing with them. How in the world did they get a baby grand piano outside?