Trip to Munich, Germany

Misty and I just took a week long trip to Europe.  We went to Munich, Germany and Lausanne Switzerland.  The trip to Munich was for a quick client meeting (with one of my favorite clients) and to visit Munich for the start of Oktoberfest.  Below are some pictures from the Munich portion of the trip.

This is the crowd on the first day of Oktoberfest.

The Hofbrau "float" for the parade.

Misty in front of a stand selling the Oktoberfest heart cookies.

Fountain in the city center in Munich.

Munich had four outer gates gave entrance to the city during the Middle Ages but today only three remain: the Karlstor, Isartor and Sendlinger Tor.  This is a picture Karlstor. 

Inside one of the cathedrals.

Just east of Marienplatz is the landmark which features on most of Munich's postcards: the Frauenkirche, officially known as the Dom zu unserer lieben Frau.

Marienplatz is the heart of the city of Munich. In the Middle Ages, the square used to be a market place as well as the place where tournaments and festivities took place.  In 1807 Marienplatz's market moved to the nearby Viktualienmarkt, but the square still continued to be the city's focal point. 

The square was originally known as Schrannen but it was renamed Marienplatz (St. Mary's Square).  The square is dominated by the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus). The monumental, 79 meters (259ft) high New Town Hall was built between 1867 and 1909 by Georg Joseph Hauberris ser in Flemish Gothic style.

Misty eating a traditional pretzel at Ratskeller.

A performer in the square at Marienplatz.  

The other side of New Town Hall in Marienplatz.  

The large column at the center of the Marienplatz square is known as the column of St. Mary. It was erected to celebrate the end of the Swedish invasion. The statue is topped by a gilded statue of Virgin Mary which was sculpted earlier, in 1590 by Hubert Gerhard.

Looking back at Marienplatz.

This is the world's most famous beer hall - HofBräuhaus.  The history of the HofBräuhaus goes back more than four centuries. The beer hall was first established in 1589 by duke Wilhelm V in order to satisfy his "thirsty and demanding household".

The Germany version of the Budweiser Clydesdales. 

This is Viktualienmarkt .  Established in 1807 by decree issued by Maximilian I, Viktualienmarkt (literally, victuals market) was built to replace a much smaller market that had once served the needs of the burgeoning city of Munich.  The small central market at Marienplatz was once the center of activity in Munich. However, as the city Viktualienmarkt, Munich continued to grow in the early 19th century, the need arose for a larger market where residents could purchase the food items they needed for daily life.  King Maximilian decided that the market should be moved a few meters to the southeast, Viktualienmarkt, Munich so the buildings of the charitable Heiliggeist hospice were demolished and the market was constructed. Originally, the new market was called Marktplatz and later Viktualienmarkt.  Victual is the Latin word for food.

The entry to Ratskeller restaurant.

Getting around by bicycle is very popular in Munich.  

The park just outside of Marienplatz.  

Munich's Residenz Palace was the official home of Bavaria's monarchs from 1385 to 1918.  Just outside the Residenz Palace is Hofgarten (Court Garden).  It is a peaceful garden with terrific flowers.  The creation of the Hofgarten, which originally lay outside the moat that surrounded the Residenz Palace, began in 1613 and was completed in 1617. At the same time, Duke Maximilian I was adding many new buildings to the palace complex.  The garden has a formally laid out around two central footpaths that intersect at the Temple of Diana at center of the garden.  Since its early days, the garden has been redesigned a number of times. When tastes or trends changed, so did the Hofgartengarden. 

After the devastation of the Second World War, landscape architects recreated the garden so that flower beds were once again typical of those found in the early 17th century. The original waterworks were also restored, providing the fountains with plenty of water.

Flowers in Hofgarten.

This is Theatinerkirche.  Designed by Italian architects, this stunning church brought a taste of Italy to Munich.

This is a string of pictures from the Oktoberfest parade.

These our some pictures from our Saturday outing at Oktoberfest.  

This was our waiter.  Those beers are in heavy glasses and are called a "mas."  They are 1 liter of beer (about the same as three 12 oz cans).  

Here he is serving my partner Jason Krieser and friend Wolfgang Ottl.  

Here is Misty and I enjoying out first drink.  I also think it was Misty's last.  

I was amazed at the little kids and babies at Oktoberfest.

Here is the crew - minus Wolfgang.  The lady across the table from me is my friend Alice Seman.  She is an attorney at Nokia Solutions and Networks and is just a terrific person.  

I continue to be amazed at all the people, including young people, that still smoke in Europe.  

This is a very drunk guy messing with a little baby.  Good times.

This is Jason and Wolfgang taking some shots at one of the fair games.

The rides at Oktoberfest were kind of intense.  

This is a fun attraction called "The Devil's Wheel."  People get in the middle and the start spinning the wheel.  As the wheel speeds up people are spun off.  After some time, the people on the outside would send in a rope and try to pull you off.  In addition they would swing a large foam ball at your head to distract you.  This guy in the middle was very good.  I saw him win twice.

They even had little kids boxing on the wheel.

Here is a video of a group of women trying to conquer the Devil's Wheel.  

This is the outside of the Devil's Wheel.

Inside one of the beer tents.

Jason and Wolfgang.

Part 2.

This is the ferris wheel at night.

One of the rides.

HofBräuhaus tent at night.

Spaten tent.

Misty bundled up while we were eating outside our hotel.  I love this picture.

We had dinner at Hard Rock Cafe on our last night.  Very American but a nice reminder of home.

This is New Town Hall in Marienplatz at night.

The crowning glory of the New Town Hall is its world-famous "glockenspiel", the fourth largest in Europe. Each day at 11 am, noon, and 5 pm, the nearly life-size figures of the clock give a performance for the crowds who gather on the Marienplatz to watch. Guests can view two presentations - a re-enactment of the 1568 wedding of Duke William V and Renate of Lorraine, complete with a jousting match; or a rendition of a dance called the Schäfferltanz, first performed to mark the end of the plague in 1517. At night, guests will see a night watchman blowing his horn and the guardian angel of Munich bestowing a blessing on the city.

I have no idea what this is.  Some guy was projecting onto a building in the city center.  

This is a store selling the traditional bavarian dress.  The women's dress is called a Dirndl and the man's is called Lederhosen.  

This is Misty getting settled in for the long train ride to Lausanne.

As we left town, we took this picture of the Mercedes Benz headquarters.