Back in Austin

Well, after a slight delay in Atlanta (we can't seem to make it back from Munich without being stuck somewhere) we made it back to Austin. It was great to see our folks and our dogs, and to be back in Austin with Tex-Mex and good margaritas so readily available! The first week back at work went pretty well (busy busy busy), but the house is still an absolute mess from our unpacking. I'm hoping this week we can get it under control. Still have yet to download the rest of the photos, but definitely will be doing that as well.
Glad to be back!

5 things

In no particular order....

5 Things I won't be missing about Munich
- absolute inability of Germans to form and stand in any sort of line, anywhere
- everything being closed on Sunday
- having to pay cash for absolutely everything
- not being able to communicate with everyone
- the KVR

5 Things I'll miss about Munich
- everything being closed on Sunday
- the local bakery, grocery store, Saturday farmers' market
- cheap beer at a beer garden during perfect weather
- public transportation
- location, location, location

Sweet Tequila Blues

London was great - we had beautiful weather the whole time we were there, thankfully. I checked out the South Bank on Wednesday, stayed in Newbury on Thursday (sleeeeeper, especially after London the previous day - I think 80 percent of the population is over 80. There was a market in the central square, and one of the prime booths was from a wheelchair/walker company, not to mention the proliferation of optician shops along the high street), back to London on Friday for shopping exploration on Oxford street (though very little purchased - the dollar to pound exchange rate was absolutely killing us), and Saturday took Kyle for a quick overview of the city before we flew back to Munich that night. I'll post photos and more info once we get back -





STATESIDE! Yup, we fly back home this week. Looking forward to it. If I could figure out how to get audio to play, I would attach the song 'Sweet Tequila Blues' by Carrie Rodriquez and Chip Taylor.

Get me back to Austin
Oh damn I miss that town
I got them sweet tequila blues coming down

Land of the Vikings

Took a quick trip up to Oslo this past week – what a cold place! Though not nearly as much snow as they are used too, much like Munich. I imagine the area would be absolutely gorgeous during spring or summer, and would enjoy going back for some sort of Scandinavian cruise. I was a bit disappointed in the tourist information office – they suggested I visit the National Gallery instead of the Munch Museum, saying The Scream was available to view there. It turns out that three quarters of the National Gallery was closed for renovation, including the Munch room, which you would think the city’s own tourist office would know about… There was, however, an exhibit on Eero Saarinen, so that was good to see.


The best part of the city, though, was Frogner Park – an entire city park full of sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. In the first photo you can see a monolith in the distance. In the second photo you can see that monolith is actually a conglomeration of bodies reaching 50 feet tall, which supposedly took 3 carvers 14 years to make out of a single block of stone.
Finally, a photo of a random train station.
Only 1 week left!

The long way home

Another friend was able to visit us, at least for a short while. Kevin, a fellow Rice alumni, has been working for the past 6 months in Australia, and decided to take the long way home – through Hong Kong, Munich, London, Dublin, and finally back to Ohio. Unfortunately, Kyle ended up with some sort of flu thing (rotavirus?) the one whole day Kevin was here, so I’m afraid he didn’t get the usual tour. Though he has been to Munich before, so hopefully not too much harm done. We went up to the top of St. Peters for an overview (Kyle and I have decided this is an absolute must for all visitors to Munich – and at only 1.50 euro quite the deal – you just have to be sure to save it for a clear day). Afterwards off to the Olympic Park and the top of the teufelsberg there for a different view of the city. Kyle was still definitely out of commission, so we headed on over to the See Haus to drink some beer and catch up on what we knew of other alumni, before heading over to the Augustiner restaurant for some more beer (Maximator – ‘tis the season) and some food. Hopefully Kevin had a good time, despite only having one host ;)

Italian Sunshine

Just returned from a trip to Italy. Kyle had work in Milan, so we took the train down there (only 29 euros!). The previous times I had been to Milan I did not make it into the Duomo or to see the Last Supper – this time I fit in both. You have to reserve way ahead of time to see the Last Supper (especially now with Dan Brown’s books being so popular), but I joined on to a tour group that was going to see it anyways. The best part of Milan was the top of the Duomo – so picturesque, and you could see for miles. A lot of the carving up there is so detailed that you would only ever be able to really appreciate it by climbing up to the top.
After Milan we took a train to Venice. We had not been inside St. Mark’s previously (summer weather, so I forgot to wear something to cover my shoulders or knees), but made it in this time (though it was so warm I probably would have been comfortable in shorts). The entire interior of the church is covered in mosaics of all sorts, including many with a gold covering that glitter spectacularly. A very relaxing weekend before heading back via a night train (with our own couchette – such an efficient space!) to Munich. A little taste of spring weather before we head up north for other adventures.

The gherkins come for a visit

Jill and Michael came to visit for an extended weekend, almost our last visitors until we head home. It was a packed weekend, full of taking in the sights and visiting various beer halls. They were also able to meet some of our friends here at the Augustiner. After a long trip back to the states (10 hour delay, thanks to Chicago weather), they eventually got back home. Thanks for visiting!

Fasching

Yesterday was Fasching. As we are in nice Catholic southern Germany, Kyle had half the day off. We headed out to the Viktualienmarkt, which was absolutely packed with people – standing room only. A local radio station sponsors a huge construction crane to come out and pump music from speakers suspended from the top of the crane as well as placed all over the market and the Marienplatz. A wonderful afternoon.

Hungary

Kyle was off this past week for a conference in Hungary, but took some time out with friends in Budapest and skiing in Switzerland. I took the opportunity to visit the rest of the museums here I’ve been meaning to (the Neue Pinakothek was my favorite), as well as get together with friends for trips to Nordbad and a baby shower. Meanwhile, here are some photos from Kyle’s trip – notice how even when you’re on the top of a beautiful ski slope in Switzerland, there’s always one guy that can not get away from work. And, of course, the obligatory ‘sleeping on the train photos’ – except for the photographers!

Winding down

Well, finished my most recent batch of classes on Wednesday - German is difficult, but I've definitely noticed an improvement in my understanding of people and signs, even if I can't necessarily talk back.
Kyle was in Budapest and another smaller town in Hngary and now he is in Switzerland near Zurich skiing. Today with my American friends here we're having a baby shower for the Rice archi that is living here.
With friends I've recently been going to one of the public pools here (Nordbad), and its pretty great. They have one large indoor pool and then this great heated outdoor pool, which is awesome in the cold. No more snow here, but apparently its really beautiful when it is snowing outside. They also have a sauna, hot tub, and other things. It's pretty relaxing to go with friends, and it only costs 3.40 euro for 3 hours, which is perfect.
Our friends Jill and Michael arrive on Thursday, which will be great to have visitors again. Fasching is Tuesday, meanwhile, which is supposed to be pretty fun. I've decided all the leftover Halloween costumes from the US come to Germany for Fashcing. On the donuts they make here for the season (Krapfen) they even have some that are decorated with pumpkin/spider plastic things on top. Check out all of the many varieties here - this place apparently has the best in Munich.
After Jill and Michael leave we head out to Milan and Venice. We've been to Venice several times before, but never stayed in the city overnight, which should be fun.
I'm having a hard time believing that our time here is almost up. I's been really great, and Ithink these Bvarians really have a pretty good quality of life.

Here are some random Munich buildings for you – the new Synagogue (rather disappointing that the entire surround courtyard is covered in asphalt) and the Munich airport.

Nürnberg

On Saturday we went to Nürnberg. We just took a day trip out there, as there is a wonderfully cheap ticket for only 27 euros for 2 people for the regional trains for the whole day. After visiting the Nazi Documentation Center (which was very well done - I'm frankly surprised at how many of the huge buildings are still standing) we wandered around the city, ending with a stop at a local restaurant for some Nurnbergers - yumm. All in all, a pretty enjoyable day.

Playing in the snow

Well, as it continued to snow (over 16 inches total), we took advantage of it. A visit to the Theresenwiese - the huge park where Oktoberfest is held – yielded an interesting view of a snow-covered Lady Bavaria. And our balcony provided a handy place to keep beer cold. Look at all of the snow on the table: Saturday I purchased some cheap snow pants, we got a couple of cheap sleds, and headed out to Olympic Park to go sledding on the hill. Tons of fun, and a first for Kyle! The beer garden there was even open which provided for a tasty gluhwein break. Wonderful weekend taking advantage of the snow. Amazingly, after being in the -10ºC range for nearly the whole week, Sunday it crept up to +6ºC, melting most of the snow, so we headed out to the zoo, where we were able to see the newborn baby Gorilla. Until next time…

SNOW SNOW SNOW!

This is absolutley amazing. Yesterday was nothing. It snowed all night long, and hasn't really stopped today. Check it out! I think we have at least 8 inches on the table on our blacony, which is even somewhat under an eave. It's also pretty neat as here they even have sidewalk snow plows - but man will they run you over if you don't get out of the way!

My shoes are completely lacking - I'm going to have to start looking for something that goes up over my ankle at least, preferably with some sort of water resistance - I just want to go play in it all! It was great going class today - there are quite a few people there like myself who are definitely not used to snow, and we're all looking forward to building snow men ;)

Real snow!

All the rumors were true, and we now have snow! This is much better than that brief little bit back in November. Real snow – all night long, and most of the day today. I was home from class today waiting on the dishwasher repairman (broken motor – now to see what the landlords say: new motor or new machine). After he left I headed out to the Englischer Garten to check out the scenery – quite beautiful, quiet, serene - and so clean. I haven’t seen snow coming down like this in a while. More is expected tonite and tomorrow – yippee!