Monday July 8
We had a nice breakfast at the hotel again. We had time because we were waiting for shops to open. Sarah and I had something we wanted to purchase before leaving.
Got to see the cat whoes bowl with pieces of fish we had seen on the sofa in the lobby the day before. There was even a sign at the door that "Othello" (?) stayes in this hotel. This time his dish was on the floor.
The drive in our two rented cars to Munich was uneventful. GPS says that it is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. The last few miles in Munich were not so much to my liking though. Road construction everywhere. Cars everywhere. We found the "Brunnenhof Hotel" easy enough but no parking anywhere. I asked Helen to go inside to ask and she came back saying that we could stay in the driveway to unload. She had a map where we could park the car afterwards.
Well, when she (with the map) and I tried to find that place the first street to turn into was blocked because of construction. Back to the hotel. We were told that there was another option in the other direction. A hospital district. Get a ticket at the gate to get in, park anywhere on the streets (which were not so full), display the ticket and pay when you leave. I had mixed feelings about it but happy to report that when I got the car 2 days later, I paid 20 Euros and all was well.
Wade and Sarah didn't need their rented car any longer and didn't need to park it. When they had unloaded the car the two of them went to the airport to turn it in.
Helen and William took care of the three younger boys. Helen spotted a park on the GPS map and we seven set out to do some walking. It was just a little further where I had parked the car and it was a really nice park. William and Caleb did some jogging all around it. The seesaw had to be tried and some swings too.
After a while we headed towards the Marienplatz. I had received a text from Sarah. They were on the subway and asked where they should get off. We agreed on the Marienplatz. They were rufly half an hour away.
Ha-ha, I had been so sure all this time that this building at the Marienplatz was a church but it is actually the Old Town Hall. From Wikipedia: The Glockenspiel in the tower of the New Town Hall was inspired by the tournaments that were held in the square during the Middle Ages, and draws millions of tourists a year. Furthermore, the pedestrian zone between Karlsplatz and Marienplatz is a crowded area with numerous shops and restaurants.
We arrived at the perfect moment and the glockenspiel was quite fun.
This fruitstand with sherries etc was the landmark for Wade and Sarah to find us.
Once Sarah arrived she took the lead because she thought we should see the Hofbräuhaus. She was right. It was fun. With humptata music and all.
Should have taken a better photo of the painted ceiling.
And yes, waiters and waitresses were incredibly carrying around beerjugs several in each hand at the same time. The menu was extensive but everybody had something 'German".
Omi is not always good taking selvies.
On the way back to the hotel we walked passed the open door of the Heilig Geist Kirche and had to take a look. The swarm of white origami birds was incredible. It reminded James and me though of the crane mobile we had at our church in Paducah KY one Easter.
Munich and the Hofbräuhaus had not been on my bucket list but it was fun to wander in the pedestrian areas and eating some "not on my diet" food while listening to some German volk music.
And on the way back to the hotel. We spent some time downstairs, probably playing cards. We were allowed to bring snacks or wine. The boys enjoyed the sparkling water dispenser. But we had enough activity during the day that we were soon ready for bed. So much to see, so much to do every day.
