JULY 2-5, 2004 - ITINERARY -MUNICH  (Thanks Mom!)

 

Fri July 2 MUNICH - Arrive at Munich airport

5:35 p.m.         Clear Immigration and Customs and meet your couriersTransfer by coach to the hotel and check in:

  Hotel Maritim, Goethestrasse7, 80336 Munich,     Germany, +49(0)89 552350

8:30 p.m.         Evening Dinner in the Augusinerkeller (hotel)

 

  Sat Jul 3      Morning Breakfast in the hotel

  10:00 a.m.       MUNICH Guided sightseeing tour, during which you will see such famous  sights as the carillon at the New Town Hall, the Marienplatz, Munich's  elegant pedestrian zone, and the Nymphenburg Palace (entrance included)

12 noon Lunch independent

                          Afternoon At leisure

The capital of Bavaria and Germany's third largest city, Munich has much to offer, from its fine museums and art galleries to the unique atmosphere of its famous beerhalls

                         Evening Dinner independent

 

              Sun Jul 4     Morning Breakfast in the hotel

7:00 a.m.          Transfer by coach to Ottobeuren

9:30 a.m.         Rehearsal in the Pfarrerheim

12 noon           Lunch in the Gasthof zum Mohren and the Engel (courtesy of ACFEA)

2:00 p.m.         Souond check in the Basilika

3:00 p.m.         Evening Concert (with the Süddeutsche Kammer Philharmonie as part of the Basilika-Konzerte seres)

4:30 p.m.         Reception with the Burgermeister

6:30 p.m.         Dinner in Restaurant  Gromerhof, Illerbeuren

                        Return by coach to Munich

Mon Jul 5   Morning Breakfast in the HOTEL>>>>      Depart by coach for Prague (c. 5.5 hrs)

July 2, 2004

We arrived in Munich after a long flight. Ok, saying that the flight from the US to Europe was long, is sort of like saying that the sky is blue. Everyone knows that. It was however about 7 in the morning Europe time, and we hadn't slept, so it felt even longer. Still, it was exciting to arrive, and the sights and smells and sounds were tantalizing. I think the first thing I noticed were the buildings. All the graceful lines, the age of everything and of course the colours.

I'm not a virgin to European cities, but Munich had a distinct flavour.

 

	Some of the amazing architecture and buildings that we encountered on that first 'bus ride' from the airport to our hotel.  The colours struck me, as well as the detail on every building.  It was as if the creators truly cared about what they were creating, and everything seemed to be art.
Our first meal was that night in St. Augustine's Pub.  It was a grand place with wonderful waiters and waitresses in full traditional costume.	All of the food was extraordinary throughout the trip.  I will do a separate page on just 'food' since we were silly and took photos of every meal.  I thought it may be intriguing at least.

Crystal was so prepared, she had her EYEWITNESS guides, and knew the streets to explore and which historical sites were within reach of our hotel. Each landing was an adventure, but Munich being the first was full of immediate wonder. We stood in the center of the square we had chosen to begin with, simply awed by the people, the sights and ambiance of the city.

 
 

I wasn't certain if this woman was bored, listening intently, touched by the message or simply had a headache.  Whichever it was, her expression intrigued me as well as the backdrop of our young preacher.
	This passionate young man was eagerly trying to get his audience to see the fervor with which he believed in the bible. He preached vibrantly and with unbridled passion. It was charming. Since none of us spoke German however, we understood very little other than the fact that he believed very much what he was saying.

Most of our days followed the same pattern. The first day in a new Country we traveled most of the day, then had time to explore and have dinner on our own. The second day was usually a tour of the main city, then the rest of the day on our own. The third day was our rehearsal, then concert, and the fourth day we moved on to the next place starting the cycle over once more. This little woman was a lady who was intrigued by Loralyn's little puppet. She asked what the doll's name was. Lo said, "What is your name?" She replied with her name (ask Lo the name, something like 'Gina') Lo answered, "Her name is Gina"

 
 

There were so many people that charmed me.  I loved just taking pictures at random and seeing what happened when I arrived home.  Though I purchased a new digital for the trip (Minolta xt) I dropped it and broke the LCD screen, so all my shots were blind just like the 'olden days'.  It was kinda fun however to arrive home and find out just what I had (and had not. . . pout) captured.  This was one of the delightful discoveries.

The buildings were just so wonderfully decorated, and people just walked merrily along, never giving them a second glance.  I so enjoyed these adorable minstrels.

This was a shot that I actually didn't take.  I scanned in the picture from the little 'shopping guide' they handed us.  Still, you can see the delightful shapes and the amazing variety of the skyscapes.

 
 

The Olympia The tent is supposed to look like the Austrian Alps in the background

 
 
 
  I have a penchant for doorways.  These are some of the ones that delighted me all through our travels.