Browsing Bavaria

Monday, 7/4

The sun came out today in Munich!! Hurray, the perfect morning to walk through the farmer's market. The open air market was expansive, covering a large square in the pedestrian center, it created its own neighborhood of vegetables, fruits, organic products, meats, cheeses, coffee and soup stands, and a bier garten. For lunch we chose a goat cheese and sundried tomato sandwich with fresh arugula, pressed in a grill at the cheese shop. We ate our sandwich on the curb where people watching was good and washed it down with an organic lemon and spearmint soda. With the abundance of fresh ingredients, of course I wished we had a place to cook, we saw artichokes as big as my head, chantrelle mushrooms and other specialties that one needs a kitchen to prepare. Our next adventure for the day was walking to the car rental agency, only about a ten minute walk from the street fair. We now have an Opel Astra Wagen to drive the Romantic Road later this week. Alas, no BMW for the Autobahn. Probably for the best. For today we decided to tour the outskirts of the city. While it was a huge challenge for me to navigate, reading the map in German, I managed and Greg was very proud. We found our way to the general area where the Olympics were held and where they hope they will be held again in a few years. We also saw the university and many historic areas. Back in our neighborhood we parked the car in a garage for the night and were back on foot to find a traditional German meal. At the Andechs restaurant, they serve beer made at a local monastery. The dunkle weiss (which I guess means dark white???) had the flavor of brown sugar and nutmeg infused, delicious. As is German tradition at these type of out door restaurants on the square, they seat you with other people who have a large table and open seats. We were welcomed by an older gentleman who at first spoke to us in German and they quickly demonstrated his command of English when he realized we were from L.A. He was very sweet, saying how happy he is we are visiting here and how nice it is to have Americans coming back this summer. (Very few travelers last year due to the economy, we guessed). He walked us through our first traditional meal. The sweet mustard goes well with white sausages, but since Greg had ordered the Nurnberger bratwurst, we should try the spicy, or try both and see the difference. I made most of my meal of the whipped potatoes and sauerkraut, but did try a taste of both the spicy and mild sausage and the mustards. Afterwards we took a pleasant walk around the church, enjoying the mild evening weather. After our late night concert going last night, we are ready to end the night early, learning some more German by trying to decipher the local television shows. Good night from Munich. Enjoy the Independence Day fireworks back home!