Lindau
Our first stop in Germany was the little town called Lindau. While we only had a few hours to explore the streets, I could have spent a few days! This was a great little town full of shops and deli's, right on the waterfront. The people we talked to in Lindau were very friendly. We ate a nice meal in a little cafe, complete with two very fun and flirty waiters!
Munich
It seems surreal that we went to Munich. For one, I've always had this impression of Germany as being a "bad" country. Luckily that turned out to be false. Secondly, it seems we were in and out of Munich so fast that it didn't really happen. This being said, I don't feel like I can give a true impression of Munich. I'll use that as my excuse to go back another time! Our first night was spent in classic German style- drinking beer at the beer hall! The next morning we got a whirlwind tour that inlcuded the Residenz...our tour was complete with a parade honoring Wine Making and all the while we were in the middle of a marathon! Munich was a very busy place that weekend! Our afternoon was spent at Dachau and next thing I knew, we were off on the bus again! Wow! Did that all happen in 36 hours?? Munich was a very unique city! Everywhere we were, excluding Dachau, people were in costumes and lederhosen! Men in bunny suits, Yep! Entire parties in superman costumes, we've got that! Such a lively city, but I didn't think the locals were as friendly as the other cities we had toured. Perhaps this is because they just want to enjoy a nice quiet beer and Munich was anything but quiet with the hoards of tourist crowding the streets.. Nonetheless, we did have a great time here.
Hofbrauhaus
What happens at the Hofbrauhaus, stays at the Hofbrauhaus! Except of course, for the photos I'll share with you! Crystal and I started out at a table by ourselves. We soon found ourselves joined by some other members of our group, and later, a large group of men from England! They said they were there for a bachelor party. If we choose to believe them, one was a Wimbeldon tennis player and another a "Lord"...Hmmmm... Except for the one guy that seemed very uncomfortable with us taking their pictures, I don't think I believe them- but we will never know!! I am not a beer drinker, but as far as beer goes, this was fabulous!
Dachau
We decided to spend our free afternoon touring Dachau. After a mad dash to the trains, we somehow made it in time! Still today, I am humbled by what I saw at Dachau. It makes me sick to think how people were treated. Our guide did an excellent job describing the conditions at the camp. From the crowded bunk houses to the gas chambers Dachau is a grim reminder of how inhumane people can be.
The Residenz
If I could go back in time and live in any of the places we toured, the Residenz would be the one! I loved all the gold details and the velvet wallpaper! Every surface was ornate and beautiful. The ceilings, the floors and the walls were all covered in patterns, tapestries, and details that rivaled any I've seen before. I really enjoyed seeing the furniture and decor from the days gone by. The building itself seemed a bit out of place in the middle of the city but was adorned in such incredible details.