Spring Forward

Today is the dreaded time change. While having an extra hour of day light is nice, it also means waking an hour earlier, which can be difficult to get used to.

Afternoon glow

While the trees are still awakening from the never ending Winter slumber the surfers are not... especially with good weather to enjoy the wave. It's the perfect day to skip out of work a little early and meet some friends at a local biergarten or to take your surfboard over to the Eisbach.

Mid-day Warmth

Everyone is trying to coax the Spring weather into staying. It's also interesting to see what people tend to wear this time of year. It's a big mix of those staying bundled for the Winter with scarves and jackets, as well as the random t-shirt or American tourist in sandals. Then again you can always bring the butterflies along, too.

Petit Marché

The train station always seems to have something interesting going on, from the interesting characters it seems to draw, lost tourists, and occasional pop up market. Here's a touch of France to grab some foods and products if time or money don't allow for hoping on the train yourself.

Abolish

It seems to be a daily occurrence for foreigners to be discussed on the news, in the newspapers, or on the streets. Here a group gathers at Sendlinger Tor as part of a nationwide day of action to rid the country of discriminatory laws towards refugees and asylum seekers.

20 C+M+B+ 11

This interesting marking that can be seen on various doors around the city is usually put up promptly after the new year and left for the rest of the year. The numbers represent the current year, while the C+M+B are the three wise men Caspar, Melchior, Blathazar.

It's interesting to see this small blessing, because although Bavaria is very Catholic, it seems as though few are actually practicing.

[edit: Reader Lief says C+M+B actually means "Christus mansionem benedicat" which means "may Christ bless this house" - my sources were wrong. Thank you]

Maxstraße

Aptly named after Maximilian II, with his statue seen in the background, Maximilianstrasse houses both government and the city's swankiest shops. On a Sunday afternoon it turns into another place for people to enjoy a stroll or bike ride.

Sankt Nikolai

This sweet little chapel looks somewhat out of place in the city center, however it's been here long before the modern surrounds. Originally built in 1315 it's most famed for it's ornate stations of the cross.

Hertie

The remnants of Hertie, which was a department store, is now an interesting area of the city. Last week I was surprised to watch several 'taggers' spray painting the windows in broad day light. This week the windows have been removed from the upper floors, which were probably once office buildings. It will be interesting to see what becomes of this corner.

Fire station

What was once a fire station is now part of a school. The telling details are the archways that are obscured by the trees is where fire trucks were stored and the bell on top which rang when the alarms went off.

Palais Holstein

The Palais Holstein is undergoing a bit of renovation, so I went and took a few photos of the interior, which is jaw dropping. Here is one of the courtyard. This residence has been home to the Archbishops of Munich, including the famed Pope Benedict XVI, who stayed here as recently as September 2006.

Hops

Hops is one of the major ingredients of beer. This floral looking blossom is the female part of the plant and gives beer stability and flavoring. The world's largest hop planting area can be found of course in Bavaria, in a place called Hallertau.

Rad

This is one kitted out Bavarian bike. The exciting part is that bikes are out of storage and being spotted around the city more and more. Spring is on the way!

Preysinger House

One of the most picturesque streets in all of Munich has to be this tiny stretch in Haidhausen. On a tour of the neighborhood I was told this is the oldest house. It's nice to envision what the area once resembled with the quaint cobble street and steep sloped roof tops straight out of a storybook.

Schwabing scaffolding

The Altstadt isn't the only area with construction in the city. It also appears some very ambitious street artists climbed the scaffolding to decorate the neighboring buildings. And yes, your eyes are not fooled... that's intended to be Michael Jackson.

Fasching

Viktualienmarkt and Karlsplatz were the two places where the city gathered to celebrate on the eve of Lent. Costumes are often elaborate and comical. I've seen these two drag queens every year that I went to take in this interesting cultural event. Another famous Queen member also lived in Munich - Freddie Mercury.

Pre-Fasching Festivities

The Fasching party starts an evening early with confetti, costumes, and a stage already in place. The people of Munich always seem up for a party. It makes me wonder what tourists who unexpectedly stumble upon this think.

Market Frauen

Viktualienmarkt's ladies dancing is always a treat provided the weather is nice and the crowds are tame. Considering things begin at 11am it's usually not so bad.

Fixer Upper

The main artery of Munich is Marienplatz and the criss-crossing subway lines underground. Marienplatz's underground will soon be undergoing some changes, which include connecting the Marienhof Ubahn entry with the rest of the station as well as a facelift to fix some water drainage issues.

Krapfen

Bakeries all around the city are gearing up for Fasching. Krapfen (which may be one of my least favorite German words) come in a large array of flavors. So far my favorite has been the caipirinha inspired with brown sugar and lime.