Berlin to Morocco via Poland, Prague, Austria, and Italy

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Munich (aka "Munchin' in München")


I spent a lovely two days in Southern Germany last week, in Munich and in a nearby town to visit a castle.


 The night we got into Munich, we wandered down one of the main streets, past the famous town hall with the giant clock, and past lots of little stands selling roasted almonds.


We got two kinds, the classic spiced almonds, and chocolate, crunchy roasted nuts covered with a thick layer of dark cocoa.

They were a perfect snack as we wandered through the Victualienmarkt, where you could find all sorts of produce, cheese, and other tasty things.


 Across the street, a row of tiny, narrow butcher shops advertised weißwurst, a traditional Barvarian sausage. 


Inside, you could order roasted meat sandwiches wrapped in paper, and stand at tiny tables to eat them. The smells wafting from the shops were amazing.


The next day, I took the train two hours to a little town, the closest stop to Neuschwanstein - commonly known as the Disney or Sleeping Beauty castle.

Due to a small miscalculation, I ended up walking about four miles from the train station. Luckily, it was sunny and not too cold, and after two miles, I could see the castle in the distance, getting closer and closer. I stopped to try a kind of donut made with quark (a light, fresh, cream-cheese-like dairy product). It was light and sweet, with a slight tang from the cheese.


It was especially good since I ate it with this view to my right...


...and this view to my left.


From his extravagantly decorated castle, Ludwig II would have been able to gaze down on the peasantry below. Although apparently he was quite shy and mostly like to read and listen to music.

The throne room was decorated in the style of a Byzantine Church.



Even the ceilings of stairwells were intricately painted.


The Grand Hall had chandeliers set with jewels.


It was absolutely stunning and well worth the trouble of getting there. Back in town, after another four mile walk, I was hungry and cold. I stumbled upon a small restaurant near the quiet town square. The chairs were mismatched, there was a candle on every table, and just one waiter stopping to chat with diners in the cozy, narrow space. I ordered seasonal vegetables gratined with cheese, a perfect choice for a cold day. Carrots, broccoli, peppers, peas, and cauliflower were covered with a flavorful cream sauce and topped with melted cheese (there's German vegetarian food for you). So satisfying, and it warmed me to the core.



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