Day 24: Gemütlichkeit and Munich July 24
Rest day today! A day off the bikes touring around Munich with Friedrich as tour guide ( he worked in Munich for many years and would cycle to and from the train station on his folding bike through the English gardens every day...) So he was pretty qualified to show us around the city. Over the course of the day we saw four grand catholic churches; ate weisswurst with sweet mustard; drank beer; watched the Glockenspiel dance; listened to an Oompa band in the Hofbräuhaus; went shopping; saw the King's gardens; toured an open air fruit and veggies ( obst und gemüse) market in the middle of the city; had Indian food for lunch; toured a new museum about Munich's relationship to National Socialism in Germany between the end of WWI and the end of WWII; chilled at a cafe; got various proteins to cook for dinner; and took the train twice (once into and once out of the city). All while Friedrich explained the historical context of each building, food, music, and cobble stone! Wow! I have to say that Carola met us for lunch and we had a lovely time walking with her through the old botanic gardens and planning our shared apartment in the penthouse floor of a fantastic building overlooking them. When we got home, Bruce and I pulled out our camp chairs and stove to help cook and demonstrate the use of our very cool bike/camp equipment since Friedrich and Carola had asked before about them. We all made a delicious dinner of lamb, beef, calamari, sausage, and veggies from Carola's garden. We played some ukulele and sang together. Later they invited their neighbors, Michael and Gabby, over for some more interesting conversation and fun. We didn't get to bed before 11pm or before the whisky and grappa came out. We learned the word gemütlichkeit in German which had no direct translation except for when you are at a party with friends and everyone is happy and chill. When all of your friends are comfortable, well fed and watered, and having a good time... That is gemütlichkeit. (Pronounced: Ge-mood-lick-ite)Good word! We learned so much in one day and walked all over an historic city neither of us had been to. Great time! Thank you Friedrich and Carola!
The World is... awesome!
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