Munich opener

Last Saturday, we drove four hours to the south, to spend a couple of days in Munich.

We stayed at a Suitehotel for the first time. Suitehotels are part of the Accor hotel chain. I imagine that the international space station's interior is a lot like this hotel's, which had everything you'd expect in a more expensive accommodation, but just a lot ... smaller. We had a double bed and two twins, but one twin was a hidden trundle that was camouflaged as a drawer. The other bed was disguised as the sofa. There were woven screens in a hidden compartment in the wall. They could be slid along a track to partition the room. The desk rolled around, so you could change the configuration. The room, which was not large, had a shower, a bath and a separate toilet room. Because the space was constrained, the management had had the bathroom manufactured in one piece--like a shower surround. But the surround encompassed a tiny sink, counter, storage, the shower and the bath. It was a bit odd. When we arrived, a personalized welcome message was awaiting us on the TV. The room also came with free Internet access. Like the sinks, the price was also quite small--just 69 euro for 4 people. Not bad.

But the best part was that Accor hotels allow dogs. So Lucy got to join in the weekend fun instead of going to her own doggie motel.

It rained--hard--for our entire drive to Munich. But 10 minutes after we checked into our room, the clouds parted and the day became beautiful. So we headed to the Englischer Garten, Germany's equivalent to Central Park. The Englischer Garten contains a lake, several historic sites and has four beer gardens in or adjacent to it. During our trip, we saw three of them. This is Seehaus, where we sat by the lake, had a snack and fed the ducks. Two older woman discussed us audibly while we were at Seehaus. Finally, one of the ladies asked where we were from. We said, "Alaska." "Ah," said the lady in German to her companion, "that's why they look so exotic. They are Russian." "Why Russian?" asked the companion. "Don't you know?" said the lady, "Alaska is full of Russians. Because the Russians sold Alaska to the Americans for a butter sandwich (Butterbrot)."



After some more walking, we ended up at the Chinesischer Turm--Chinese Tower. This Chinese-inspired pagoda was built in 1790. Now it is the site of a Hofbrau-run beer garden and restaurant. On warm days, a Blasmusik band (that's an oompah band to us Americans) plays from the top level. Since the day had started out cold, this establishment was almost empty. But the kids had a great time running around the adjacent playground.

Saturday afternoon we went to the Fruehlingsfest, which is a smaller version of the Oktoberfest. This was the first weekend, so it was not too full.

The girls had a good time on the rides.

Meggie convinced me to go on the swings with her. I clutched her the whole time.

m*: Mom you don't have to hold me like that.
h: Yes, I do.
m*: But I'm fine! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
h: Yes, I know.
m*: I don't need you to hold on to me.
h: I know.
m*: Yippeeeeeeee! You don't have to on to me anymore!
h: Yes, I do.

I almost got sick.

A little role reversal here. Saturday was a fun, full day.

Sunday, after church/walking Laurel around in front of the German church, we had lunch at the Hofbrauhaus. That was really enjoyable. The food is great and affordable. The beer is good. Obviously. And the atmosphere is just a good time.

The Blasmusik band was cranked up when we got there. That's an older couple dancing in the background.

The kids liked the music too. They got much more excited and clappy than this.

Then, after some gelato and a walk in downtown Munich, we spent the rest of the afternoon walking in the Englischer Garten and lazing in the shade at the Chinesischer Turm. Here, Meggie is enjoying her huge pretzel with fresh Obatzda, typical beer garden food. If you read the recipe, you'll be surprised that both girls really love it.

The Chinesischer Turm's playground was a hit too.

We had a nice first foray into Munich. We'll be back again in the not too distant future.