Scoping out Munich

Our first night in Munich I left Simon to watch his soccer game and went off to scope out central Munich.

It was raining but I took the underground train a few stops to Marienplatz and bustled along with many other people through the streets. I visited two cathedrals and the Nationaltheater (where they stage operas). Mass had just started at Frauenkirche, and the echo of the voices was a pleasure to experience.

I decided to swing by Hofbrauhaus for the end of the USA Slovenia game and came upon a 50/50 mix of Americans and Slovenians crammed into a room, screaming like mad. The Slovenians sang their country song whenever it was their turn to make noise, but the American frat boys merely chanted USA! USA! I walked out of there with ringing in my ears - I'm sure Simon was better off in our comfortable hotel room.

As I was leaving after the game a little band of men starting playing German polka on clarinets and brass instruments - after drinking some beer. The food smelled wonderful but I held out and had a pretzel sandwich and raspberry chocolate cake from a popular cafe overlooking Marienplatz.

The Nationaltheatre (I cheated for this photo because of the rain, but Simon takes most of the other beautiful pictures).

Boat ride on the Neckar River

In Heidelberg, we took a boat up and down the Neckar River. We passed the spot where Brahms wrote one of my favorite symphonies, his first, so that was a highlight. The homes along the river were stunning, with many balconies meeting with Simon's approval. Four castles were well fortified on the hills at the end of our route, the result of a family feud.

Heidelberg

The view was great from our balcony in Heidelberg.

We went to the old town and ate in a brewery - meat and potatoes; my grandpa would've been thrilled. It was all delicious and worth the indulgence. Luckily the hotel lounge had cut up seedless watermelon, pineapple, and apricots waiting for me later. The lounges have been a true bounty of fruits and veggies- that night we had vegetable lasagna too.