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Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
24 hours in Munich, Germany. 2/25-2/26, 2011
Instead of just making a connection in Munich, Lauren and I decided to spend a night there to learn a little about the city. Lauren's main interest was visiting Dachau, the concentration camp.
We had no plans, no euros, and no idea what we were going to do or how we were going to get around. After being in India with everything well orchestrated for us we were a little overwhelmed - and tired!! We Fournier an ATM and solved the euro problem, walked out of the airport to the taxi line and stood there. First of all, the taxis were all new Mercedes and BMWs. Lauren couldn't pass up the photo opportunity. We finally walked over to a VW mini van and the driver greeted us in incredible English. Thank goodness!! It was so nice to speak English without straining to figure out what was being said. As it turns out, the driver was also an official Munich guide and was happy to show us around, starting with Dachau.
Even though the original barracks were destroyed, the intake building is still there as well as the crematoriums. Our guide was so knowledgeable and we learned so much - incredible that they could just take anyone off the street to the camp - no, not just Jews.
He then took us on a driving tour through Munich. Saw the Olympic village, the palace, and most importantly, the BMW showroom which, of course, we had to stop at so Lauren could check out all of the cars. It is a brand new building and state of the art. Certainly not what we think of as a new car showroom. Also, didn't miss the Mercedes showroom which is the largest in the world!!
Finally, our hotel, The Platzl which is truly Bavarian. We walked around our area a little to find dinner. Great choices and we walked through a couple looking for a spot to sit. No one to seat you - just walk in and if there is room at a table you sit there - with whomever is already at the table. We settled on the Augustiner Breu House and checked the menu - meat lovers paradise. Remember, I hadn't eaten meat throughout India so I was really torn but... Would it be a dish of sauerkraut or a smoked pork chop with sauerkraut?? I guess the part of me that is German took over - that pork chop and the sauerkraut were soooooo delicious!! Lauren ordered the sausage and sauerkraut and couldn't even eat it all - and she is more German that I am!!! After that, apple strudel!! We are in Germany, after all!!!
We woke up very early and had to wait for the breakfast to start. We were out walking around Munich by 8:00 AM after a delicious breakfast. It was pretty cold here - especially after being on the beach the day before. Thought we would stop in a pastry shop for coffee and even though we had just eaten breakfast we did try a pastry. We are in Germany, after all!
The center of Munich is the Marienplatz - it is such a pretty city and very easy to walk around. We found the Sunday market where they set up tents with fresh vegetables, cheese, wine, flowers, and, of course, meat. Wish we could have brought it all home with us. Finally 11:00AM and time to watch the glockenspiel which we were told was the highlight of the Marienplatz. Vey cute watching the puppets dance in the tower.
Quick walk back to the hotel and off to the airport. We had the same driver pick us up. Why was his English so good?? He got his MBA in the US and he owns a house one and a half hours from us in New York! Small world!
So happy we made the stop - we were lucky to find a great guide and see most of Munich in 24 hours.
Munich taxi
Dachau
BMW Showroom
When in Germany....
Coffee break
Glockenspiel
Heading home
We had no plans, no euros, and no idea what we were going to do or how we were going to get around. After being in India with everything well orchestrated for us we were a little overwhelmed - and tired!! We Fournier an ATM and solved the euro problem, walked out of the airport to the taxi line and stood there. First of all, the taxis were all new Mercedes and BMWs. Lauren couldn't pass up the photo opportunity. We finally walked over to a VW mini van and the driver greeted us in incredible English. Thank goodness!! It was so nice to speak English without straining to figure out what was being said. As it turns out, the driver was also an official Munich guide and was happy to show us around, starting with Dachau.
Even though the original barracks were destroyed, the intake building is still there as well as the crematoriums. Our guide was so knowledgeable and we learned so much - incredible that they could just take anyone off the street to the camp - no, not just Jews.
He then took us on a driving tour through Munich. Saw the Olympic village, the palace, and most importantly, the BMW showroom which, of course, we had to stop at so Lauren could check out all of the cars. It is a brand new building and state of the art. Certainly not what we think of as a new car showroom. Also, didn't miss the Mercedes showroom which is the largest in the world!!
Finally, our hotel, The Platzl which is truly Bavarian. We walked around our area a little to find dinner. Great choices and we walked through a couple looking for a spot to sit. No one to seat you - just walk in and if there is room at a table you sit there - with whomever is already at the table. We settled on the Augustiner Breu House and checked the menu - meat lovers paradise. Remember, I hadn't eaten meat throughout India so I was really torn but... Would it be a dish of sauerkraut or a smoked pork chop with sauerkraut?? I guess the part of me that is German took over - that pork chop and the sauerkraut were soooooo delicious!! Lauren ordered the sausage and sauerkraut and couldn't even eat it all - and she is more German that I am!!! After that, apple strudel!! We are in Germany, after all!!!
We woke up very early and had to wait for the breakfast to start. We were out walking around Munich by 8:00 AM after a delicious breakfast. It was pretty cold here - especially after being on the beach the day before. Thought we would stop in a pastry shop for coffee and even though we had just eaten breakfast we did try a pastry. We are in Germany, after all!
The center of Munich is the Marienplatz - it is such a pretty city and very easy to walk around. We found the Sunday market where they set up tents with fresh vegetables, cheese, wine, flowers, and, of course, meat. Wish we could have brought it all home with us. Finally 11:00AM and time to watch the glockenspiel which we were told was the highlight of the Marienplatz. Vey cute watching the puppets dance in the tower.
Quick walk back to the hotel and off to the airport. We had the same driver pick us up. Why was his English so good?? He got his MBA in the US and he owns a house one and a half hours from us in New York! Small world!
So happy we made the stop - we were lucky to find a great guide and see most of Munich in 24 hours.
Munich taxi
Dachau
BMW Showroom
When in Germany....
Coffee break
Glockenspiel
Heading home
Location:Munich, Germany
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Southern India
We flew from Jaipur to Chennai, India which is the fourth largest city in India. From there we were in the car for a three hour drive to Pondicherry which is located on the Bay of Bengal. Although the Bay is beautiful with large sandy beaches, there is no swimming because of the currents and it is difficult to even get to the water. After the last tsunami they built up the beach with big rocks to protect the city in case it ever happens again.
Pondicherry is home to an unbelievable ashram and totally changed our idea of what an ashram is.
This one is totally self sufficient with a school that educates it's students in everything from the highest classes of math, science and languages to carpentry, stone cutting and laundry. They want every level of student to be able to find a job when they leave school. Most of the students graduate speaking at least three languages - Tamil, which is their native language (as opposed to Hindi which is spoken in other parts of India) English and French.
There is also a French area in Pondicherry and you can go from the craziness of Pondicherry's Indian streets to the quiet streets of this section in one block. There are many French restaurants and bakeries and the most amazing Catholic church.
Pondicherry is also the home of Auroville which is a free living town. To us it was what our idea of a commune would be. Anyone can live there - they welcome every race and religion to live in peace with no judgement. Everyone must contribute in some way with work. There is a beautiful meditation space which you have to apply to get into. Unfortunately, it takes three days to get this so we didn't get to go inside.
Two days Pondicherry and off to the beach area of Mahabalipurum. On the two hour drive we passed women working in the rice paddies and also in the salt mines. Very interesting that most of the workers in both places were women!
Looking forward to a little beach time but first some sightseeing. Beautiful temples here, one of which is under water. One area is carved out of one piece of granite and all of these withstood the tsunami.
Our hotel here has a real Ayurvedic doctor so time for more research. It was very interesting to learn about Ayurvedic medicine - using mostly plants, but also minerals and animals to treat illnesses. Lauren suffers from migraines so that is what she discussed with him. He, of course, prescribed some Ayurvedic treatments at the hotel, one of which is called shirodhara - a treatment where special oil is slowly dripped on your forehead for a half an hour - it was incredibly relaxing. I had a massage with special Ayurvedic pain oil to help my knee which actually felt great while in India. Everything felt amazing and was very relaxing but the bottom line is that I am now more sure than ever that our "ayurvedic treatment" with "Ayurvedic oil" in Varanasi was indeed some kind of cooking oil - just as I suspected!!
The Dr. Also prescribed some medication for her migraines which we brought home. It is all plant based so she plans on giving it a try when her next migraine comes around. Amazing that we spent two hours with this man and it cost $7.00.
The beach at our hotel was beautiful and the water so warm. Temperatures in the south are much warmer than where we previously were and we thought that was great weather. Lots of currents and big waves but so much fun. A great way to end our time in India!!
Bay of Bengal in Pondicherry
Catholic Church
Cute girl!! We were trying street food again!
Selling prawns and fish caught that morning
Shopping in Auroville
Half man - half woman
Meditation Hall
This is one tree
Lauren met this girl while we were waiting to visit "The Mother's" house in Pondicherry. She spent about three hours with her and is now invited to her wedding in Jaipur!!
First brand we've seen since McDonalds
Rice paddies
Salt mines
Carved out of one piece of granite. Five brothers lived here with the one wife they shared!
And, more friends!!
Butter ball - pure gravity!
Hotel pool
Dinner in Mahabalipurum
Favorite appetizer - Indian version of nachos
Finally, beach time!! Bay of Bengal
Pondicherry is home to an unbelievable ashram and totally changed our idea of what an ashram is.
This one is totally self sufficient with a school that educates it's students in everything from the highest classes of math, science and languages to carpentry, stone cutting and laundry. They want every level of student to be able to find a job when they leave school. Most of the students graduate speaking at least three languages - Tamil, which is their native language (as opposed to Hindi which is spoken in other parts of India) English and French.
There is also a French area in Pondicherry and you can go from the craziness of Pondicherry's Indian streets to the quiet streets of this section in one block. There are many French restaurants and bakeries and the most amazing Catholic church.
Pondicherry is also the home of Auroville which is a free living town. To us it was what our idea of a commune would be. Anyone can live there - they welcome every race and religion to live in peace with no judgement. Everyone must contribute in some way with work. There is a beautiful meditation space which you have to apply to get into. Unfortunately, it takes three days to get this so we didn't get to go inside.
Two days Pondicherry and off to the beach area of Mahabalipurum. On the two hour drive we passed women working in the rice paddies and also in the salt mines. Very interesting that most of the workers in both places were women!
Looking forward to a little beach time but first some sightseeing. Beautiful temples here, one of which is under water. One area is carved out of one piece of granite and all of these withstood the tsunami.
Our hotel here has a real Ayurvedic doctor so time for more research. It was very interesting to learn about Ayurvedic medicine - using mostly plants, but also minerals and animals to treat illnesses. Lauren suffers from migraines so that is what she discussed with him. He, of course, prescribed some Ayurvedic treatments at the hotel, one of which is called shirodhara - a treatment where special oil is slowly dripped on your forehead for a half an hour - it was incredibly relaxing. I had a massage with special Ayurvedic pain oil to help my knee which actually felt great while in India. Everything felt amazing and was very relaxing but the bottom line is that I am now more sure than ever that our "ayurvedic treatment" with "Ayurvedic oil" in Varanasi was indeed some kind of cooking oil - just as I suspected!!
The Dr. Also prescribed some medication for her migraines which we brought home. It is all plant based so she plans on giving it a try when her next migraine comes around. Amazing that we spent two hours with this man and it cost $7.00.
The beach at our hotel was beautiful and the water so warm. Temperatures in the south are much warmer than where we previously were and we thought that was great weather. Lots of currents and big waves but so much fun. A great way to end our time in India!!
Bay of Bengal in Pondicherry
Catholic Church
Cute girl!! We were trying street food again!
Selling prawns and fish caught that morning
Shopping in Auroville
Half man - half woman
Meditation Hall
This is one tree
Lauren met this girl while we were waiting to visit "The Mother's" house in Pondicherry. She spent about three hours with her and is now invited to her wedding in Jaipur!!
First brand we've seen since McDonalds
Rice paddies
Salt mines
Carved out of one piece of granite. Five brothers lived here with the one wife they shared!
And, more friends!!
Butter ball - pure gravity!
Hotel pool
Dinner in Mahabalipurum
Favorite appetizer - Indian version of nachos
Finally, beach time!! Bay of Bengal
Location:Pondicherry and Mahabalipurum, India. 2/21-2/24, 2011
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