They weren't kidding about Munich's beauty

 

Germany has never been on my bucket list of  'must see places before I die'.  I can think of Socotra Island being very high on my list and anywhere in the middle east, somewhere in the middle of the list would be the Czech Republic, Italy (only because of its food) and even the poop littered streets of Paris, France.  But never Germany.  Why would I want to visit a place known largely for a man responsible for toasting Jews and ethnic minorities, and its allegedly humorless people? Whatever the case for my lackluster interest, Germany just didn't grab me.

If it wasn't at the suggestion of my previous customer who'd requested for my help on his project -  throwing Munich into the pile to reel me in because I hemmed and hawed, reiterating how overladen my current plate was - Munich would never have fallen under my radar.

Me: "Sorry, I don't think I have the bandwidth for your work E."
Customer E.: "I'm throwing in travel to Munich."
Me:  "Munich? Really?!"
Customer E.: "I have $$ ($$ is usually and universally a good sign when getting onto projects.  There is nothing worse than being on a project with no money to spare.)
Me: "Sold!"

So, over the next few weeks, I had to check that my other customers were ok with my imminent absence.  As lady luck would have it, I was done on one project, which freed up a wee slot, and although I had another banging at my door, it didn't need my immediate attention. I was good to spend 2 weeks in Munich. The good thing is that my customers are fairly accommodating and willing to wait for me. What luck!

And of course, if it weren't for my dear supporting husband who'd heroically stepped up to the challenge of being Mrs. Doubtfire, this trip would have fallen flat on its face.

It turns out that Munich is very much like Japan.  Everything I love about Japan, the Germans are very much so - they are organized, orderly, the streets are clean and safe, the city hums like a well oiled piece of German precision engineering and the locals are respectful and helpful. What sets Munich apart is the European architecture - impressively ornate and artfully constructed. Simply, Munich is a lovely piece of eye candy, once you've had a taste, the sugar rush sends thrilling highs. It has turned me into an addict; I adore Munich! And it turns out those stereotypes of Germans having no humor? So wrong! The few that I met had a dry sense of humor right up my alley.

There isn't much I have to describe about Munich that hasn't been covered by travel books and blogs so, I'm offering the city through my camera lenses - be it the dinky toy iPhone or my old canon. (The hubs denied my bringing along my super awesome Canon 5D for fear that it would be stolen.)

Here goes, and in no particular awesome rating order.

I'd just checked into my hotel and peered out my window.  My eyes were assaulted by this stunning sight. Cobblestone path and historic buildings -- Munich, you have already whetted my appetite.



Peek-a-boo! I see beauty.



The famous Neues Rathaus/ New Town Hall in Marienplatz. You can't miss this Bavarian awesome-ness.  
 

Another angle of the Neues Rathaus/ New Town Hall.   How badass amazing is this? I stood beneath this tower and basked in its beauty for several minutes of low hanging jaw silence.

I can't remember where I took this but it is proof that there was art in every nook and curvature.
 

Really Munich, you are killing me here with the art pornography in every step.

Do you know how many photos I took of Athena on this Maximilian bridge? Lots. She was hard to capture right. And the rule of thumb is always capture women at their most flattering angle.  The first time I captured her was on a cloudy day, and then the next time under the harsh afternoon sunlight - her face always darkened. I would have been pissed too.  I waited till the sun was setting that one Saturday evening and rushed out just in time to see her glorious stature as the sunlight hit her and the building in the background in a favorable glow.  Somehow, this photo still didn't do her any justice. You just had to be there.

Every morning and evening, I rode Munich's public transport - tram 19 and bus 265 from Pasing.  It cost me 6 Euros for a single trip ticket or 15 Euros for a 3-day ticket riding any combination of trains, trams and buses.  Either way, it was my ticket to sight seeing the city and riding with the locals - a great combination of being a tourist and mingling with the commoners. It took me an hour and half everyday to get to work which meant I had to factor that into my waking time.  But it was worth an early waking hour because tram 19 took me on a scenic route through the city.  Be it  drizzle, cloudy or sunny, it was always a ride that made me want to do a Julie Andrews style (in 'The Sound of Music') yodel for joy.  

 

OK, so that's me taking a picture in a car. I lied about taking public transport EVERY day.  Nearing the end of my trip, I hitched rides with my project manager's boss's boss.  I was happy to spend the money on a commuter's ticket but seeing that it seemed rude and standoffish if I didn't accept the offer to ride into work, I did the sterile highways.  Trust me, it wasn't a yodeling experience but one time, I spotted a photo-worthy picture -- crazy rider on his funky bike. Actually I lie again because my project manager's boss's boss spotted him -- I was possibly passed out, drooling in the front seat from the lack of sensory pornography.  Now, I would never tempt fate like that riding in what seems like a precarious position AND without any safety gear.  But the dude is German and so is his bike. That just means they are engineered to be indestructible. Period.  
 

Indestructible German dude could have ridden this cute red vespa but no. I didn't see too many vespas on the road but I did see several bicycles, like the ones behind. If I lived in Bavaria, I would be riding a bicycle too.  My bike would be outfitted with either a recycled wooden cart or a straw basket and I'd look the part of cuteness with my scarf, booties and belted trench, just like the rest of the frauleins.

All that rich German food needs to be burnt off on the bike, ja? So that you can devour crispy pork knuckle and potato dumplings smothered in rich full fat gravy. Try spotting fat Germans..... not as easy people!



Check out these Bavarian lads in their cute lederhosen pants. Spot the fatty.  Didn't think so.

This was the stairway to my Munich retreat.  I walked up this flight of stairs for 7 days straight - heavy laptop and books laden bags and heavier steel-capped-toe ankle boots - that should get me the perfect Brazilian booty, ja!

Only the Gods looked heavy compared to the diminutive people they kept watch over.  Isn't this couple sweet? Looks like new love.

And more of that same lovey-dovey here at the Englischer Garten.  I watched this couple jointly latch their endless love on the bridge.

 

I wonder if Oguz and Mojgan have stood the test of time like their fiery lock?

I have a fascination for depth and lines. I like lines. Lots of it.




I did say I liked lines, which makes this doubly fascinating. The Germans paired what appears to be remnants from a historic building with practicality -- the aged arches lend beauty to the modern covered walkway --  function and style, and a whole lot of awesome! These Germans keep surprising me at every turn.

 

Only part of the Bavarian skyline at dusk.

 

The city in black and white. Positively charming. I've placed a mental lock of love for us, Munich. It's you and me, forever.