Feeling at home in Munich
The flight over was uneventful. I didn't get to ride the new Skylink at DFW airport after all, which was somewhat disappointing. I was on an aisle, and wound up with a German pre-teen girl next to me. This was good for the shoulder-space I need, but not good for sleeping as she was squirrly until the last 90 minutes of the flight. It happens. I made it through immigration and got my bag in no time flat, and Franz was there to meet me, which was a nice feeling. We lounged for a bit and took the train to Munich and a taxi to the house, where I was greeted with a bit of home from his visit.
Click the thumbnail for a few more photos in the gallery.
Saturday I slept most of the day jetlagging, but even after only a little while I felt at home. What I found most striking was the flowers on the Gaertnerplatz island.. while I lived there the fountain was boarded up and the garden was only grass, but now its alive with color and people. Its quite a dramatic sign of life and spirit that I missed by being here over the winter.
I went Saturday afternoon to the Viktualienmarkt [live webcam] and bought some olives from my favorite vendor as well. Saturday night we went out to Edelheiss and I saw quite a few of the guys that I knew from earlier in the year, and for the most part everyone remembered me as well. That's probably the coolest feeling to be welcomed and recognized far away from home.
Today, Sunday, Franz pulled together his enormous seafood and meat and cheese and champagne brunch, although due to the going out and jetlag, I couldn't eat much at the time. Beyond that, the day has been pretty relaxing.
Tomorrow I'll have a bit of work to do and Franz will be back at work in the evening.
The main purpose for the week here is the beginning of Oktoberfest, and the buzz is already here in high gear. The locals are excited, and there's a few of us tourists alread here as well. While Franz has supplied me with the appropriate Tracht & Lederhosen to wear next weekend to the Oktoberfest, evidently the times, they are a changin! New this year is the "Wies'n Kilt"
I don't think I'll be out of style in my traditional tracht, but I'll keep my eyes peeled!
Well, we'll we be seeing you over the weekend then... We (Henk, Thomas, Jan and I) are coming down to Munich this Friday on the ICE - we're going to be there through to Monday. We've booked the Gold Package, so we'll be picking that up on Friday afternoon in the Edelheiss.
Terrific! Its shaping up to be quite a good weekend I think!