1980 München/Munich (7/8/1980)

Tuesday, July 8, 1980

Awoke about 06:00 as commuters joined us at Augsburg. It seemed to be freezing that night, and we were using our blanket (courtesy of Larry and the Air Force). Arrived in München about 06:30, and freshened up in the restroom, checked our bags in a locker, had breakfast of chocolate milk, orange juice and pretzels, bought a map, and at 08:00 started touring the city. Walked down the pedestrian shopping street where fruit sellers were setting up stalls. Saw the Frauenkirche with its twin towers, then the Rathaus/City Hall with the flower boxes in the windows and the fancy clock which we never saw in action even though we passed on the hour.

Frauenkirche

Frauenkirche stained glass windows (TAT)

Rathaus/City Hall clock tower

Postcard of Rathaus Square

We went into St. Peter's Church which had a bejeweled skeleton (of a "martyr") on display. Then we went to the city museum where we had a 15-minute wait before it opened.We finally were able to explore it, seeing a photography exhibit, the puppet museum, brewery museum, armory exhibit, saw some figures from the Rathaus clock, and a modern art exhibit which was rather interesting -- most of the work by a Heinz Brig. We then hiked over to the Residenz to see the crown jewels and the palace rooms (even saw the royal vacuum cleaner!).

Residenz Museum ticket

Residenz Grotto Courtyard

Treasury ticket

We stopped to have lunch behind the Art Museum, eating tuna fish on bread. The House of Art was full of modern art by unknown German artists. The exhibit was called “Grosse Kunstausstellung” and although some was interesting, it was generally "gross."

Grosse Kunst ticket

Then on to the German Museum -- a 19th century equivalent of the Ontario Science Museum, where we pushed buttons, levers, spun around, made lightning, etc.

German Museum ticket

It was pouring rain, so we stayed in the cafeteria where we ate ice milk cones. Finally we headed back to the pedestrian mall and picked up a few groceries. Because of the rain we decided not to take the tram to the Nymphenburg Castle. Instead we ate in a Wienerwald Restaurant. Four  guys at a nearby table apparently had a bet as to our nationality, since one fellow seemed to tell us as much from what I could understand of his German. When it was known that we spoke English, another fellow rehearsed for a while, then came over to our table to extend an invitation in very broken English to join their table. We declined and left the restaurant to go window-shopping and sample chocolate. Then we went to the train station and watched people boarding the train for Istanbul. They had innumerable pieces of luggage and boxes. As the train left, several guys waved goodbye to us. After a rest, we took a walk to the Alte Pinakothek to see 14-18th century artwork, including Albrecht Dürer. Then we returned to the train station in a drizzling rain, got our bags and sat to wait for our 22:35 train towards Hannover.

München Map cover

Map of München

Next: Münster.