Around Munich

These photos are just ones that we took while wandering the areas within easy walking distance of our hotel.

These are the photos from our hotel, the Hotel Carlton Astoria.  Like Segovia, we lucked out with the nicest room in the hotel...it was a huge room and actually felt very homey.  We were up on the fourth floor, which was great for the view, but I hated the fact that the HUGE windows opened wide open, without any screens or bars to keep you from plunging to your death should you trip near the window.  I even made Brandon sleep with the windows closed in case I suddenly started sleep walking.  It was nice going out exploring the city and then coming back to the hotel in late afternoon for a nice nap before Brandon got back from work.  The breakfast was delicious, with a HUGE assortment of breads, jams, fruit, cheeses, meats, and juices.  If I had it my way, I'd still be eating this way for every breakfast, but alas, my family is addicted to cereal.

These are from the Hofgarten, which is the court garden adjacent to the Residenz (former royal palace).  The Diana pavilion in the middle of the garden was a fun spot where we found an informal dance going on. 

These were taken in and around Marienplatz, which is the main city center square.  It was absolutely teeming with tourists, so I felt right at home snapping photos of everything a tourist would snap photos of.  Including the Glockenspiel.  I actually made it a priority to be there to see the Glockenspiel (clock with dancing mechanical people) chime.  I'll spare you the 3 minute video, but it really was fun the see.  We also took the photo of the traditional German clothing because we were really surprised to see just how many Germans actually DID wear these clothes.  

These are really miscellaneous photos.  In the upper left are some photos from a plaza called Konigsplatz.  They were built in a style that apparently impressed Hitler so much that he did some rallies there.  Now, it's a gathering place in the artsy museum district in Munich.  Groups of young people (the university is close by) gathered on the steps of these buildings in droves.