Munich, Germany - Day 2 (a day late to blog , sorry bout that)

It was supposed to rain today but the weather decided against it. More's the better, it made for cool air while walking around. Woke a bit late today due uploading pictures, but a little extra sleep wasn't bad.

Lunch was at a bierhaus named the Augustina Keller. Supposedly they had the best beer in Munich. I didn't try it so I'll take everyone's word for it. I did have a super good veal. Lunch in Germany is quite a bit what I was told. It isn't the meal, it's the moment. Our waiter was great, he was from Croatia but had lived in Munich for twenty years. His wife's 40th birthday was tomorrow also, he said they had a big blowout planned. I bet they have fun.

My grasp of German is improving slowly, due to necessity overall. Yes, they speak English but it's 'basic' English. Accents and slang throw them. Which is to be expected. I've been asking for more help with my diction, but I've learned I'm being taught Bavarian-German. I've noticed a difference too. Bavarian speech is much like American southern, relaxed. Makes it easier to learn by listening.

After lunch, we took a taxi back to the Marianplatz and toured more shops and churches. The churches and cathedrals are amazing. The architecture is overwhelming with the sweeping baroque styles and gold layering over all the carved wood. What wood that isn't painted in gold, silver and so on is polished and oiled until it glows with a character all its own.

One cathedral allowed walking tours up to the bell tower, so naturally I had to go. I'm uncertain how many stories it was but I lost count at fifteen flights of stairs. The view from the top was amazing! I could take photos of places like the Glockenspiel from above! I stayed for quite awhile.

In between the churches, we walked through the shops. They range from a variety of tourist fair to expensive (there was a rolex store) to crafts (a local clockmaker's shop). Among that, I discovered ... the bookstore! I browsed awhile and settled on a book or mathematical formulas and a biography of da Vinci, both in german.

After the bookstore we wound past a bag store, naturally I stopped there for while until I realized my own messenger bag was good enough for me. I did pick up some small utility bags, after all, you never know when you'll need them.

Dinner was at a place called Augustiner on Domm. There I had some Bratwurst with saurkraut with some hot chocolate on the side. Now that was quite good! The saurkraut was sweet,something I had been told but it's better to experience than be told about. I really need to figure out how to make that.

We lingered awhile then walked down to a church dedicated to a Father Mayer, a priest who defied and spoke out against the Nazi's in WWII. They killed him for it eventually, but is buried there in the church. My father, as it turns out, knows a lady there at the church. We stayed and visited awhile, she wanted to know where we had been, what we had done, and so on. When we left, she gave us each keepsakes, blessed sections from a hat that the Father (whom I understand may be considered a saint) wore regularly. I was touched, of anything, that will stay with me always. I should figure a way to wear it so I don't lose it.

Finally we returned to the hotel and made plans for tomorrow and the next day. Good to plan ahead, eh? Tomorrow we catch a train to Salsburg, home of Mozart and where the Sound of Music was filmed, for the day. The Alps will be in view and we'll be on the Austrian border. I'm looking forward to the view.