Coffee Thaw

After a dusting of snow and blistery temperatures Starbucks decided to set up a small van and hand out samples to help people get through what we hope is the final freeze of the season.

Shopping Exodus

Shoppers in the city are out in full force. It's a good thing glühwein stands are only a few steps away from the heavily trafficked stores, because continually bumping into people is slightly more tolerable with a warm mulled wine in your hand provided it doesn't spill, of course.

Learning to Skate

Getting onto the ice can be tricky, but it's the perfect family evening activity. Even smaller children get a bit of assistance from the pushable polar bears that offer a bit of support.

Catvent

This advent calendar for cats is too funny not to share. It really demonstrates the importance of the advent calendar in Germany and how much people adore their pets. Each day was filled with a different kind of treat, so Trixie won't be left out. There was also one for rabbits. I'm assuming the dog calendars were sold out.

Ice Skating

The ice skating rink is being constructed at Karlsplatz. It's anyone's guess if the Winter will be mild, although if the fantastic Autumn we've had is any indication it may foreshadow an equally warmer Winter.

Sausage burger

Visitors who don't enjoy stretching out of their comfort zone can always stop at McDonald's - the global fast food giant. They may be surprised to see several different items on the menu, including beer and for a limited time the 'Nürnburger' made with sausages.

The HoWe wurst factory that supplies the sausages is owned by Uli Hoeneß former general manager and president of Bayern München.

Munich loves beer, sausages, and football... it always comes full circle.

Kickin it at Karlsplatz

Karlsplatz is the main square between the Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz, and it is the end of the major pedestrian walkway through the Altstadt, marked by the gothic gate - Karlstor. It was oficially named Karlsplatz in 1791 after the unpopular Elector Karl Theodor, but all the locals know the place as Stachus, named after the innkeeper Eustachius Stachel, who had a popular pub until the time that Theodor laid out Karlsplatz. some also say that Stachus is actually named after the word "Stachel" or prickle to indicate arrow - as the area was was used by marksmen in the middle ages. Today the platz is often one of the busiest in Munich with its enormous water fountain (seen in the background), but its proximity to the central station and the Altstadtring of traffic gives it a very mixed clientele.

The Global Blockbuster

Like most places in Europe, Munich receives its share of Hollywood blockbusters. In fact, more and more often these are coordinated across a global scale. Avatar, this year’s expected Hollywood blockbuster directed by James Cameron, will hit Germany and 31 other countries on or around Dec. 17th. Advertising – in colossal form (this sign is about 50 feet high on the front of the multi-plex movie house at Karlsplatz), has already started three months in advance. In addition to the incredible amount of multi-plex movie houses that have opened up in Munich in the past 15 years, you can still find quaint, single screen movie houses around Munich – especially in the Schwabing neighborhood. Usually they are nestled between apartments on side streets, and really targeted at the neighborhood residents. Unfortunately, much like in the US, these theatres look to also be dying out; so catch a movie in one of these great theatres before they are all gone.