The day began with a clink of glasses, a glass of beer, naturally. With three Englishmen, an Aussie gal, Irish couple, and two Americans (us) in tow… we made quite a sightly spectacle.

Tid-Bits for your Travel Pocket
What’s your’s is mine and what’s mine is….mine
Whatever beer is made in München stays in München. No exportation. Munch on that.

Seeing Stars
The Star of David…not just the Jewish symbol. In the Middle Ages it actually was hung on different buildings and inns to show that yes, indeed, beer was for sale.

Shine your Light
Helles lager beer (light beer) is the locals’ favorite, arguably the best in Munchen, and possibly in the world…or so they say.

Beer for dinner?
Also in the Middle Ages, housewives spent the entire day brewing beer and baking bread for their husbands while they worked the field. Bread and beer. That was dinner. I know boys in the States right now who are thinking, ‘dang what a life.’

Monk of the Party
Monks were actually revolutionary in the mass production of beer. In the Middle Ages they began brewing their own to sell in the countryside where they dwelled, but eventually were able to charge cities whatever they wished for their delectable concoction…they were, after all, the ones who discovered ‘hops’ a small thistle-like looking plant which is now one of the main ingredients in most beers.

Fact vs. Fiction
The darker the beer the better… for your health? Mmmm negative. I don’t really know where I heard this or from who, but I’m guessing I’m not the only one whose been deceived by this false fable. Dark beer, light beer, purple beer, rainbow beer, it’s all the same in calories and content. Drat, I know. However, wheat beer is actually better for you. Wheat beer can be dark, can be light, so be wary, appearance lies. This better-for-you beverage does typically have a clove or cinnamon aftertaste however. Took the taste buds some getting used to but I found it tasty.

Take our sweet digs in München (Munich), for instance. Our wondrous abode did not, as you may think, arise from thin air…Au contraire, our accommodations and transportation were generously offered to us by a München local I had met in Singapore last Christmas while visiting a friend there (Singapore is A-M-AZING and I plan to visit again…again, and again…but that’s another story).

Once Sierra, Cody and I began our travel planning, I spread the word of our alleged itinerary to as many people as possible through email, Facebook, phone, etc. I knew Joscha hailed Germany and immediately contacted him. When our München native heard the Bugs were flying through, he graciously handed over his apartment keys and car, oh sorry Escalade, rather, while he took a vacation to Spain. Hence our free crib.

Love for Hofbraukeller
Joscha was able to spend the first night with us, introducing us to Hofbraukeller, prominent and picturesque beer garden, a local gem, just a summer’s stroll from his apartment. Picture rows upon rows of green-painted picnic tables beneath giant twinkle-lit trees, packed full of nearly 2,000 people, a snug summer breeze in the air.

Before we knew it, we were clinking liters (yes, whole liters, that’s just how they do) of genuine German beer, knoshing pretzels and raw radishes (hey, it’s the custom) with a jolly group of his buddies. Next in line for the night was a pass-by through the beer garden’s unique beach bar, Sausalitos. A beach at a beer garden?! This California girl must be dreaming. It so happened that the owner of this magical beach oasis was a member of Joscha and fellow German crew’s possy. And connecting the dots we go. Mehdi was now there to help us out if we needed any assistance in adjusting to German living, plus score us a free drink or two should we decide to pay a visit to saucy Sasalitos in the upcoming nights. De-lish.

Having already established connections in a foreign part of the world helps tremendously plus is a sure-way to keep it safe when you’re out at night.

Note to female travelers
Growing up girls, it’s no surprise you always have to have your wits about you when it comes to men and you’re out and about. Obviously, while traversing foreign countries, your decept-o-meter is running on high. Of course, as female American tourists, you will undoubtedly be picked up by locals. No matter how friendly these dashing accented men might seem, never be too quick to be chummy, give your numbers or personal information out, let them buy you drinks…basically live up to the naïve American girl stereotype. Not everyone just wants to help you out and show you a good time. That’s why, really, you need to pull from your network, I’m talking pull all the stops you got. Start scrolling through your phone contact list/Facebook and you’ll discover you know people who know people who know people who can hook you up wherever you go.

And hey, people enjoy showing you where they live; They enjoy sharing their culture and customs with you. It’s their time to share their pride and joy, their home, their language, their life with you. It’s a pretty sweet thing to be on the inside, not just an outsider looking in.

To our delight and surprise we stumbled upon a cafe aboard the magical train, complete with wide windows, high stools and tables…the perfect spot to set up and do some writing and photo work.

*By the way, in case you all were wondering, lengthy train rides are where and when we attempt to complete all of our online work. However, as usually there are no outlets on trains, sometimes this means we find an internet cafe to hole up in for an hour or several, or, to our luck, friends’ homes we’ve stayed in have internet to relieve us of late night or early morning ventures to seek out an internet cafe.*

To lift our spirits even higher, the wonderful man working behind the counter took heart to us and supplied us with all of the food and drink we needed to get us through the ride.

My heart was filled during that long, and what would have been discomforting and tedious ride, as we were able to share laughs, bites and sips with the happiest train attendant there ever was. It made me appreciate just how far a kind word and helping hand can carry you throughout the day.

Look Forward To…

Weiss Church, Linderhof & Neuschwanstein castle
a visit to the most popular beerhall in Munich, the Hofbrauhaus
The famous 1972 Olympic Stadium
Spontaneous discoveries