Munich in three days

 

 

On a hot July day, at 6:25, my friend Barbie and I arrived at the main bus station with ten-minute delay with Flixbusom. Tadej was waiting on us. Three Slovenian friends were together again after several months – this time in the lobby of the northern Alps. After settling at the hostel München - Park, we headed into the town.

Our Bavarian research began at Mary's Market - the heart of the city (where apparently all guided city tours start). Tadej convinced us to climb on the bell tower, from where we had our first lesson in getting to know Munich. For that we had to walk 306 narrow and steep steps. Summer laziness quickly took revenge on us, and already after a few minutes we had to ask Tadej to slow down. From the top of the bell tower, we admired the city. "There's Alians arena, there is a BMW, that green is the English garden ...," enthusiastically explained Tadej. It was more than obvious - he fell in love with the city. But Barbi and I needed some time to fall in love with it. Otherwise, we were impressed by all the greenery, but the centre was not that charming at all. When we returned to solid ground, we strolled through the market, past the new and the old Town Hall and the Church of St. Peter. We waited for from the 43 bells on 85 meters high  hour column, decorated with figurines depicting the story of the city of Munich, but While we waited in front of the tower at 11 am and later at 17 pm when the figurines usually dance to the music, we did not hear or see the story. Instead of that we admired the fountain in front of City Hall. The fountain stands on the site where once the wives of fishermen were selling their catch, but today it is full of tourists. 

Only a shooting range from the Mary's market, through a narrow alley, paved with marble blocks scents of sweet paprika, raw meat and freshly cut flowers mix in the air under a canopy of trees. This is the Viktualienmarkt market, one of the most beautiful markets in the city. It offers anything and everything a man could wish for. From the olives of all colours and fillings to condiments, fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, meat delicacies and the famous white sausages to all kinds of souvenirs. 

From the centre of town towards the NE border town on 3.75 km2, extends one of the most beautiful urban parks in Europe. This is an English garden by the river Isar. Huge green areas were in the middle of a hot July full of youth that is here to catch the sun's rays and enjoying the hot summer afternoons. Either with a good book in hand or with a cluster of friends, cold beer and a Bluetooth radio, playing the latest hits. Part of the river Isar (on the peninsula Eisbach), which was under the bridge curb, creates artificial waves, which attract skilled surfers and beginners who are still learning to tame the wild waves. Munich is a proud owner of a flattering title since it is the only European city where lovers of this sport can place their surfboards on the waves in the middle of the city. The river Isar also attracts a lot of people who admire the surfers and welcome them with loud applause when they show their newest tricks. With fresh pretzels and beer we also stretched on three comfortable blankets and enjoyed the hot sunlight mixed with the contagious Bavarian beat.

 

By bus we drove from the town centre towards the castle Nymphenburg. Woow, already in the distance, we saw an admirable palace. Baroque palace that once served as the summer residence of Bavarian rulers today attracts tourists from all over the world. By the flowers in the flower bed and pebbles on the path the park is carefully landscaped. Italian, French and English styles are magically combined. The benches along the path invite you to relax and enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of this corner of the earth. Fountains, lakes and canals, ornamental shrubs, flower beds and statues give the park a paradise-like image.

 

With umbrella in hand, we walked along the Royal market and admired its size and sculptured symmetry. Raindrops were not putting only us in a bad mood, but also diligent workers who were, drenched from the rain, disassembling the stage, which was pointing at the concert events of the previous day. Large lawns, which bisect the grey tarred main roads, surrounded by three majestic buildings that already with their frontage call for neoclassicism. Each with its ancient columns - Ionic, Doric and Corinthian – inspire lovers of architecture. Today they are home of art, culture and music, because the Gallery and the Museum are located in them, and in summer festivals and open-air cinema are held here,. So the bad reputation, which was put on the market at the time of World War II, when the Nazis used it as a gathering point for marches and rallies is now slowly disappearing.

We exited the U-Bahn and took the escalator to the exit. We found ourselves in the northern part of the city, in the Olympic Park. First we visited the BMW and admired the world of the latest (and most expensive) cars and motorcycles of the BMW brand. Knowing that our  student bank account are still some ten thousand Euros short for that we could afford one of the beauties, we left the BMW showroom and headed towards the 291-meter high viewing tower. From there the view is phenomenal. Also already the slopes of the green meadows offer a majestic view of the large artificial lake (which could be cleaned of algae that slightly spoil the view).  Hilly green areas around it are great for relaxation under the open sky, gathering or an evening concert, offering excellent acoustics. The park is famous for the Olympic Stadium, which in 1972 held the Olympics. Around the stadium can also a swimming centre, ice hall and other sports facilities be found and along with a 182 meters high radio and television tower.

 

 

In the three days that have passed too quickly, we got to know life in Munich and felt his pulse. On our own skin, we experienced what the expression Munich weather means - from hot sun to a sudden cooling of the storm, hail and cold winds. We tested several types of Bavarian beer and ate a record number of pretzels (I think that in Slovenia in ten years they do not produce as many pretzels as I have had eaten here in three days). We admire the perfectly arranged and extensive network of public transportation that took us from one end of town to another in just a few minutes. Quick, convenient, cheap. We experience the nightlife of the Bavarians and the Kennedy's joined the evening of karaoke with the best rock hits of all times. Munich, bis bald!