Mom and Lauren in India: 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