Travelogue: Munich

And on to Vienna...

It’s 09:42 and I’m at the post office. In Munich. So determined am I to live my best Kafka life and send letters to my loved ones while traveling. I step out of line to buy envelopes and am able to step back in. I step out again to address my envelope, instead of doing it at the counter. It takes a moment, with all my parcels. The line is moving at relative light speed, and despite getting now toward the front, my line mate has, intentionally or not, left a Jaye sized space in front of him. I step back in, only a little guilty, but I toss him a casual danke and wait for two or three more folks to take their turn before mine. It cost about 3 Euro, cash only, for 25 card sized envelopes and one letter to America.

Last night, I asked the cute hotel bartender if she had envelopes, or a way or sending things from the hotel. Unfortunately no, but I’ll look up the closest post office for you. After I paid, she handed me some written instructions and with good luck included. I mailed it along with my first letter, a sweet souvenir. I had a bourbon cocktail, then a gin-watermelon type thing. Superb, both. I stayed at Ruby | Rosi Hotel. It was hip, boutique. The room was tiny but comfortable with cute extras. It was only a block or two from the main train station where I arrived and departed (Bahnhof).

Let’s continue in mostly reverse order - after getting up and out by 08:45, I headed to Daily Coffee, a small joint a short walk away. The coffee wasn’t nearly full, which made sense because the barista filled it using an espresso handle and had to tip it over, spilling that precious bean juice, to remove the cup. After realizing on Friday I did not pack makeup remover, I was on a desperate quest to find some, but all the Apothekes were closed on Sunday when I arrived, so I had to hit one up on this morning (all the bookstores and souvenir kiosks are closed Sunday, and did not open until 10:00 this morning either).

I asked the cashier where I could buy stamps, and she told me there was the huge post office near the Bahnhof, which matched my barista directions that I did not understand because when I walked by yesterday, and when I popped over this morning, the gate was down besides it’s called a postbank. There were also ATMs which, at a DHL location I visited yesterday, seemed like mailing kiosk service stations but maybe also there are ATMs for money? I’m glad I had until 10:00 to kill time, so I went back and the gate was open and it all came together.

I forgot floss, so after my postbank experience, I stopped at a much more holistic Apotheke and got some floss, which did require me to make an awkward floss pantomime. I’m grateful for everyone who has been kind with my English and appreciating my VERY basic, please thanks good, bye in German.

I had dessert and a Pils at an Augustiner Bräu, which was a much more relaxed environment than the Haufbrauhaus where I had sausage, potatoes, and made a not so valiant attempt at drinking a liter of bier. I thought, pushaw, I’m a drinker, I can handle the big boy. Except, I couldn’t lift the full stein with one hand. Except, you have to put a liter of liquid into your body. Though I will say I haven’t gotten drunk yet because I’m so full of fat, carbs, and protein.

Between lunch and dinner, I wandered the Platzes, enjoyed golden hour, tried to take in all the sites, remember the details with my eyes and document with my phone for those back at home.

The highlight of my 20 hours in Munich was 18:00 mass at St Michael’s. I passed the church Sunday afternoon while walking the old town plaza, which was also the perfect distance from the hotel for wanderings yesterday and errands this morning. I’m not really sure how to describe St Michael’s. A huge statue of the patron angel greeted attendees and visitors. The facade was flat with statue inlets giving an entirely false impression about the scope and size of inside. A cathedral with wooden pews, and kneeling benches positioned in such a way you cannot rest your butt against the bench, and bench backs too short for even me to rest my head in my hands in prayer. It was cold, and the incense was still in the air, even as congregants came and went.

There were two sung moments that were the exact same sounds and music and notes and rhythms as St Joan back home. I knew I was in the right place, at the right time.

Right now, I’m listening to Graduation by Kanye West, I can see the mountains, and am surrounded by football supporters. Some, running onto the train the minute before it pulled off, were carrying a plastic milk crate filled with beer bottles. Most folks are drinking already, and periodically calling chants and songs. The Munich team does not play for two days. The Stuttgart team doesn’t play until tomorrow. I have no idea who these people are but you have got to admire the hustle. I reserved a seat on Railjet Express 65, which was only a couple extra bucks, and not entirely necessary. I’ll be in Vienna around 15:30, so tschuss for now!