Long Weekend

The city always appreciates an extended weekend with Monday off from work. Fortunately we've also been having a steady warm spell, which means several biergartens have been open. That is certainly an excellent treat during Halloween weekend.

Unfall

Two young girls pay their respects to the memorial of a neighborhood child who was tragically hit by a car and died one month ago. The Haidhausen neighborhood has been shaken by this accident and is searching for ways to make the busy streets safer for children.

Give those little ones and loved ones an extra hug.

Juliet

Munich has several sister or twin cities. Among them is Verona, Italy, better known as the home of Romeo and Juliet. A gift to the city is the beautiful bronze statue of Juliet situated outside the Altes Rathaus, which is now the Spielzeugmuseum.

Some romantics leave a flower in her hand hoping to improve their own love lives, so if you're looking for love you can turn to Juliet.

Street Art

Munich's street art scene isn't as thriving as say, Berlin. There are a few exceptions - under bridges, and on Tumblingerstaße near the Poccistraße subway stop, which holds many fascinating treasures.

MVV

The silver lining to the city's network strike are the updated machines that have been in use for the past few weeks. They are a much needed change for travelers and tourists who can now efficiently enter the subway stop they are traveling to without the complex calculating of rings and zones.

It makes me curious how many people will soon learn they were paying more than necessary for transportation. Hopefully all of the MVV changes can happen swiftly and happily so we can get back to having such an efficient system.

Great Indoors

With cold and rainy days upon us it's the perfect time to check out new restaurants and plan for cultural activities indoors. Another option, when it gets too gray and dreary, is to skip town and get a flight somewhere where the sun lingers just a little longer.

Ludwigskirche

Originally built in 1829 by Friedrich von Gärtner the Ludwigskirche has both an interesting interior and exterior. From 2007 to 2009 the roof was refurbished according to historic mosaic patterns. It was also the first church built in Rundbogenstil and has the second largest altar fresco in the world.

Archaic Ideas

It still leaves me bewildered to see condescending signage, books, and logos, such as the one pictured, around Munich and Germany. Political correctness is lacking here. While there has been a lot of recent discussion on integrating immigrants it appears tactfulness and respect would help people on all fronts.

Yellow

Somehow they are still leaves covering the ground adding some color to the city streets. Soon they will turn brown and crunchy beneath the feet of those trekking through town. It's the perfect time of year to jump on the train or take a leisurely drive and admire the colors.

Swimming

This is the scene of Mark Spitz's impressive 7 world records and medals during the 1972 Olympics.

This is also where the TV show 'Wetten, dass...?' was filmed when they visited Munich a few weeks ago.

It's a great places to break out that speedo to get some exercise even as the weather cools off outside.

Kirchweihdult

It's that time of year again...

All week long the traditional Auer Dult festival runs, despite the cold and occasional rain. The good news is the glühwein and hot chocolate are a great way to break in the season.

Market Day

If getting to Viktualienmarkt requires too much exertion there are many 'Wochenmärkte' on various days of the week all over the city. It's a great excuse to explore other neighborhoods and stock up on farmer's market produce.

Rain to Snow

Despite cold and rainy weather many people still prefer to get around the city by bike. It's only time before the bikes will be stored for the Winter. As early as this week we'll receive our first flakes of snow.

Culture Overload

There is so much to pack into one evening with the city's museums staying open so late. The BMW Museum was much quieter than the BMW-Welt, which appears to have been the place to see and be seen. The Museum had a steady flow of visitors and many lingered in order to hear the entertaining urban brass band, Moop Mama. They played instruments around the museum and even on the escalators!

If you attended, what were your favorite events?

Long Night of Museums

This evening is the Long Night of Museums, which is always a great time to be out mingling in the city center. Many of the unexpected museums modernize their image with the use of lights and music to draw in thousands of visitors. Not only are museums open until 2am, but several tour companies offer walking tours around the city. There are also historical tram rides, auto rides, and plenty of glühwein to ease people into the colder temperatures.

For being a relatively small city Munich sure knows how to do cultural events.

One of my favorites is the view from the top of the Deutsches Museum. Unfortunately it's rarely open, because only one volunteer gives tours.

Autumn Leaves

Signs of Autumn continue to appear around the city. It's the perfect time of year to notice ivy virtually everywhere as it turns a fiery red before the coldness of Winter creeps in.

Shoppers Delight

The German economy doesn't seem to be hurting. Virtually anytime you're in the Altstadt there are plenty of people walking around and shopping. Lately Germany is catching some flak for their passion for cold hard cash instead of credit and debit cards. While it may seem somewhat behind the times it seems to work in keeping people out of debt.

Schrannenhalle

Next door to the Hacker-Pschorr restaurant at Viktualienmarkt, which incidentally is said to have one of the most expensive beers in Munich, is the Schrannenhalle. If you're like the lady I passed the other day you're thinking in your thick Bavarian accent 'Schrannen was?'

The Schrannenhalle was once a lively market area, which as been refurbished and fighting to live up to it's old glory days. It appears that may soon change, because Michael Käfer - better known as owner of Käfer grocery + restaurant, P1, and the the Käfer tent at Oktoberfest, has plans to add some life and magic to the old grain hall by next Autumn.

Fading Colors

Everyone seems to be trying to make the most of the last few weeks of nice weather before the city turns cold and gray. The colors at the Olympic Park at this time of year are breathtaking and it's a great place to take in the crisp Autumn weather.

Biking Bar

The biking bar seems to be spotted all over the city these days. It's a jovial way to get some exercise and enjoy some fun with friends. The novelty probably wears off quickly when they discover they could drink beer with less exertion.

The city's drivers are probably not too pleased to have another obstacle to avoid on the streets, but don't worry - the person steering the bike is sober.

Marathon

Nearly 18,000 people participated in the Munich marathon, half marathon, and 10 K run today, which ended at the Olympic Stadium. The weather was perfect for a scenic run through the city and the camaraderie and support were out in full force to cheer on family, friends, and those that undertook the arduous runs.

Congratulations to everyone that participated!

Eisbär

Munich's polar bears have a new habitat and appear to be much happier. If you ever visited Tierpark Hellabrunn you know exactly what I mean. The entire habitat should be finished later this year.

We all know what happens next... hopefully they are happy enough to give Munich our very own Knut or Flocke baby bear.

Renewal

Here a musician takes a break near the second oldest building in all of Munich. Originally built in 1264, this corner has seen many drastic transformations. Initially serving as a bathhouse it has since been transformed into a theater, butcher, vegan restaurant, and most recently an organic restaurant + grocery.

Music

A performance next to the Cathedral gathers crowds. The area has fantastic acoustics and the nearby restaurants show their appreciation by donating beers to the band.

Orleansplatz

Orleansplatz always is an interesting place. It's usually a transient area with Ostbahnhof, bus station, and several tram lines nearby. The transient nature also is a favorite for usually harmless drunks and druggies. Many of the trees have been marked to protest their removal in preparation for the second S-bahn line.

Drizzle

Today we're experiencing a short break in beautiful Autumn weather while the city returns to normalcy and mourns the end of this year's wonderful Oktoberfest. Many people are probably ready for the chilly Winter weather and glühwein to come back, while others are still clinging to the last beautiful days of temperate weather.

Wiesn's end

An event 200 years in the making comes to a completion today. We didn't beat the 1985 record of 7.5 million visitors. This year there were 6.4 million visitors, who consumed 7 million Maß. Only one statistic for beer is available from the olden days... in 1887 more than 71,000 gallons (268,764 Litres) were consumed by 200,000 people or less.

German unity

Yesterday Germany repaid it's debts from WWI and 20 years ago today history was made.

German unity day was celebrated in a variety of ways around the country and particularly in the capitol city, Berlin, where many people gathered in the streets. In Munich, we have our own stretch of the Berlin wall near the US consulate as a reminder of the past.

It's truly incredible to see how the country continues to evolve and unite.

After party

As things die down at the Oktoberfest people can continue to party at one of the local upscale bars or clubs. The club atmosphere is speckled with lederhosen and dirndls for those that paced themselves throughout the evening. At the clubs most people trade in beer for cocktails and continue dancing and singing the night away.

Field Trip

The Oktoberfest isn't merely a place to drink the day away. It's a festival, fair, and cultural event all tied into one. Incredibly there are probably few places in the world where it would be considered appropriate to bring groups of school children through though here it is very typical.