Germany you hot sexy beast of a country, I was happy to come back to you! Munich was a real highlight of my trip. I feel a close affinity to this place as my Dad spent 5 years there in his youth, somehow weirdly kooky way I can feel his energy there. Especially at the English gardens. Bliss, what a magically inner city sanctuary, alas, I am jumping ahead, let me start at the beginning.

So this time round I took a Flip bus into Munich from Bolzano, super cheap around 15 euro and very convenient. I travel on all modes of transport and don’t mind slow travel. We pulled into Innsbruck on the way, and this looked like a cute place to spend a night or two, but this time it was just a 10 minute stretch of the legs kind of stop. 

Previously I had arranged for my good friend J to come and meet me in Munich, he would be coming down from Berlin for the weekend, hiring a car, doing all the fun things together, however unfortunately he had to cancel at the last minute due to a family drama. Being an expert at the pivot, I was able to change plans and come up with my own agenda and I was so pleased to see the major attractions I was frothing to see; Lake Eibsee being one of them. 

I was staying a little out of town in a 2 bed self contained place, perfect for two friends to share, but a bit boring for me as a solo. I would have preferred an inner city backpackers 10 bed noisy smelly shared dorm, to get the real feel of the place. I came to appreciate my sanctuary by the end of my stay, and enjoyed some peace and time to read, make art and listen to music after big days out walking, exploring and bike riding like a banshee (whatever that is, but in my opinion I imagine its something that runs around like a crazy person not missing a thing!).

My first day I took the train into the centre of town and started to explore. By 11am I had stumbled into my first beer hall, it would be rude not to try a local Radler and sausage! I shared a table with some gregarious Americans, with german heritage and was privy to trying a new white sausage I had not tried before, and it was delicious!!! I do love a good sausage! We chatted amicably about life and everything in-between and then off I went on merry slightly tipsy way again. 

I made my way over to the Botanical garden for the afternoon, and I was thrilled to see a huge range of flowers, trees, ponds and greenhouses, just divine. This garden is one of the best I have seen in the world, for botanical gardens, and I made sure to share my enthusiasm and high praise to the ticket lady. She said I was the most enthusiastic attendee they had and she was so pleased I was thrilled. I was. Very. I give praise where its deserved! The highlight for me was probably the greenhouse with the gorgeous water lillies and orchids and giant lilly pads, presented and kept to the highest of standards, very german! 

After that I made my way on the tram back into town and stumbled across an art exhibition about Hair. I know sounds quite kooky again, and it was, but it captivated me for a good 7.5 minutes, nah, at least an hour, and was fun to make hair pictures at the end. I will try to include one here! It was all about how hair has influenced us over the  centuries. One man had this crazy long hair and used to just parade around as a model and people paid him. He donated all his money to a children’s orphanage and ended up being the highest benefactor helping young underprivileged children. I thought that was a pretty cool story from 1600 and whatever. Details elude me. 

Another day I hired a bike in the morning and just rode free willy all over the city. I occasionally used maps but that was mostly more confusing so I just winged in. It was fun to see the city by bike and explore and have some freedom. I came across a random lady with a fruit stand selling fresh berries, and ofcourse I had to buy some. Later I sat in the English gardens nibbling on my juicy sweet strawberries exuberant about my life. Travelling is so fun. Every day is a new adventure! 

On the last day, (note to self do this at the start of your new city stay proximo tiempo) I went on a planned bike riding tour of the city. It was wonderful! And weirdly traced back and forth across the paths I had taken already, but with far more information and knowledge given by our friendly host. Turned out old mate was born in Riga but had lived his whole life in Germany, he was cool. I am that person who always chats to the leaders and takes the front. Type A that I am. It was a very educational tour, of which I can not remember anything. But it was great at the time! Hitler this, war that, this art gallery, bombed there, you know that kind of thing. l am such a bad tourist! I just absorb things in my own way. Mostly when there are flowers, I pay attention then. Like I still remember the national flower of Florence which is a purple iris! See, I do remember some things! Maybe it was all the Radler’s I was drinking… I was pretty much day drinking and drinking drinking all the time. Fuck it, when on holidays right? It was so fun. 

What else. Oh yeah! My big day out! So I ended up taking a tour one day to what was advertised as a Mountain Tour to Zugspitze the highest mountain peak in Germany. As we were driving down I pipe up from my disappointing back seat position, ofcourse I wanted to be in the front seat, “ Any chance we are going near Lake Eibsee?” And he replies “ Yes, in fact it’s right where we are going today!” I could not believe my ears. As I thought because my friend had bailed on the trip it was going to be impossible for me to get to this piece of paradise, alas, all my dreams came true in that very moment, I was thrilled! For the 1065th time on my trip! Whoop whoop!!! 

So we arrive at the mountain, and all the other boring people went off and did who knows what and I being the mad beaver that I am raced down to the lake and proceeded to walk, waltz, skip, run, dance my way around the most beautiful lake in the world. It was magic! Butterflies on flowers, the best deep rich blue you have ever seen, what would have made it better is if I could have had a swim! I just didn’t have enough time. But it was magic to walk/gallop all around it, taking me about 2 hours. I then raced over to the gondola and raced up the 73 euro (gasp!!!) gondola ride, to FUCKING CLOUDS. I know. I was so annoyed. But the man there was like “Go down to the glacier side it has a better view” Well it fucking better. And it did. It was actually quite beautiful. So I sat with my cheap ass sandwich peacefully for at least 2.3 minutes and enjoyed the view. It was very beautiful. Then I ran back to the gondola and raced back down, and ran back to the van where all the boring people had returned early. It was fabulous, but all a bit rushed. I could have had at least 3 weeks there. OK at least 3 more hours. 

And then… as we were driving into the nearby township where we had time to wander around and eat pizza and cake and gorge out on all the fat things, which is 100% what the boring people were planning to do and actually did, I piped up again and asked “Is it possible for me to go see the Garmish gorge?” And old mate, bless him, was like “ Sure, I will just drop all these fat boring people off at the local town and then I can take you you crazy bitch to the gorge!” Well I paraphrase but that’s pretty much how it went. So off I went racing again, I had 1.5 hours to traverse 20 km and see allll the things!!!! Which I did ofcourse. I literally had to run, and beat horse drawn carts, but I did it. It was epic and so beautiful. This magic tight rock gorge with beautiful trees and greenery and waterfalls and ferns and all the fairies and it was great. Being time pressed I was like that girl in the movie “The yes man” who would get jacked on red bull then go on running photography sessions, that was me, minus the red bull, that stuff would kill me! I will include some photos to show you how lovely it was. 

Ok Germany, wow I was busy there! One last thing, full praise for the highly efficient and super convenient public transport system! I bought a 5 day pass and used it every day for bus, tram, train and even airport train for 43 euro and didn’t have to show it to a guard once! Love that!!

Germany I love you, I love your sausage, I love your beer, I love your lakes, and I love your men. I will be back!

Auf Wiedersehen (Alveitessein, this was my original spelling, I was so close!!).

Anita xxx

Next up in the blog tales… Latvia!