Speaking Spanish in Munich

The moment had arrived. I was finally in Europe and as a smart cool traveller I had planned the beginning of the adventure with a six hour wait in Paris airport (with a pain au chocolat and expresso - a necessity while in France), then a 3 hour train ride followed by another 2 hour wait in Strasbourg and then the final stage to Munich, 5 hours by train. Relieved to finally be on my final leg of the journey I drifted off to sleep. I awoke to a stopped train and an announcement only in German, everyone started to leave the train and I began to wonder if learning a bit of German before coming to Germany  may have been helpful. I heard the word “Kaputt” and realised the train was broken and I needed to leave, I followed the crowd and found myself at another platform, the only train worker I found did not speak much English but motioned towards the train in front of us. I got on somewhat hesitantly but unsure what else to do. After 10 minutes of a mild panic and being cramped into a corridor of a full train I finally began to ask the surrounding few people if anyone spoke English, first try failed - second attempt was a success. He explained the situation and informed me of the station to get off and where to go from there. The first non-English speakers were very kind to this tired traveller stumbling over her large backpacks and almost at the edge of tears after 30 hours travel and feeling a bit confused in a world that sings a different tune. But their kind smiles made me realise I was here and I had made my first friends in Germany.

I finally arrived in Munich at 11pm after a long delay (what a surprise in Germany!) and no ability to communicate with my friend who would meet me. But he was there waiting - “Hola amigo!” After 5 years a friendship rekindled like it had only been 3 weeks. A short walk back to central apartment to share a German beer and catch up on a few years until eyelids could no longer resist closure. 

Exploring Munich by day the next morning I was immediately aware of the structure and height of the buildings, which apparently is a law. No building can be higher than the top towers of the main church in the city centre. Such a difference to the skyscrapers that were becoming the norm for me in Hong Kong - Munich seemed to be more my kind of city. A quick but appropriate tour of the city lead to the river where all of Munich seemed to be - everyone together at the riverside enjoying a drink and the beauty of the summer day. This was my first introduction to the relaxed nature of nudity in Europe. At parts of the riverside where all were having great time lay a few nude males relaxed in this open and popular setting. The police happily trotting along on their horses while a drunk Russian sung songs to the surrounding audience. Here I reminisced with a dear friend on our time in Mexico as students - speaking spanish at the riverside with an Italian living in Munich. On next to the Beer garden, the Chinese tower filled with people who have left work early and have headed to strengthen their right arms by frequently lifting a heavy glass filled with a litre of beer. As the sun began to fade some more friends joined us, we devoured an overly salted giant pretzel that I could hang off my arm matched nicely with my own litre glass of beer. Germans, tourists and families sitting below the branches of the chestnut trees in a relaxed but active Friday evening.  

More German beer was consumed over the weekend (have to try the goods of the country you are in) and later enjoyed in an outdoor area where all are free to bring their own drinks and hang out in the the town square. Here I witnessed the German mafia bottle lady. In Germany for every glass bottle returned you are paid 8 cents, and for every plastic bottle 25 cents. A lot of people take this up as a form of income cruising the streets collecting the bottles of beers - post-enjoyment - but this one lady had claimed this popular drinking area as hers and had workers who came and asked for the bottles and sat and waited for people to finish their beers to take the empty bottles. A slight distraction while having a nice evening out.   

My last day in Munich and slightly tired from trying German beers we decided to bike to the lake for a swim and relax by the waterside. Biking through the streets of Munich following my friend I had to set in place my survival skills as buses and trams flew past on the wrong side of the road - do something everyday that scares you (not kills you). We ended up taking an extremely beautiful scenic bike ride along the river. Then arriving at the lake where families were set up for the afternoon with their picnics and grills, showing a diversity in cultures in Munich - they were making the most of a sunny sunday. An enjoyable afternoon in what seemed to me like a very large but very crowded lake. I am used to being spoiled with space in a natural environment in New Zealand. We began the hour long bike back before the darkness took over and the police pulled us up for lack of lighting on bikes (my friend had suffered 4 tickets last summer and didn't want a repeat offence). Plus it was time to make pizza and enjoy a delicious meal of home made pizza base with mozzarella, prosciutto and rocket on top. A perfect way to end a weekend of German beer, bike ways explored, natural beauty in the city centre of Munich, buildings pleasant to the eye and perfect weather.  A tasteful introduction to Europe. 

The next morning as timing with the the metro was off, I had a mad rush with 7 minutes from arriving at metro station under train station to find my platform and train to Waldshut. Somehow I found my way to Platform 19 and boarded the train. I decided I better cheek it was the correct train jumped off to ask a train worker, a positive response. On quickly getting back on the train I found a seat the doors closed and the train departed, phew. Just in time for the next adventure, WWOOFing in Dogern, Germany. 

Dedicated to “El Pinche Toscano” for your friendship - and your amazing hospitality, delicious pastas and fine German beer shared over good talks.