I don't like goodbyes but the last month in Munich has been really nice revisiting some of the places I discovered when I first arrived 1.5years ago, and soaking up that last bit of Bavarian culture/vibes before I have to leave. Also, it has been really nice to watch all the funny videos by Thomas Muller and keep learning things about Germany from his perspective ><
Needless to say, on the list of places I would miss would be Occam Deli which I believe has the best cakes in Munich (+ really friendly staff); Man vs Machine which is my favourite coffee place (+ the barista who always makes the effort to make perfect latte art even if its takeaway); and Julius Brantner the bakery where I found the kind of bread I used to enjoy so much in Australia.
I also finally got to visit the Auer Dult, which is held 3 times a year and has a long history since 1796! There were apparently ~200 stalls this season! So I had to visit it over 2 days to fully experience everything it had to offer...each row/lane has specialized shops in either food, clothing, soaps, cutlery, household items (including these passionate salesmen who give a demo like on TV innovations :P). There are even rides on little ponies for kids! I also finally got to play the catch the duck game which is essentially fishing for magnetic ducks and they will add the hidden points pasted under each duck to let you finally redeem a prize (i was just fascinated by all the different designs of ducks floating around ><).
And I got to try many different fried carnival/Bavarian treats such as "Strauben" which are donuts or funnel cakes; Nonnenfurzchen which are crispy butter donuts dusted with sugar; and an apfel filled pastry (which I later enjoyed by the Isar river!...since it was on the way to the ubhan :P)
On that topic of ducks, it seems these ducks are a collectible in Germany and you can even buy them online no matter where you are in the world! I did however spot them again at one of the stalls at the night market at Herrsching, so I got one there as a souvenir :) Through the market, I also learnt more about Kloster Andechs beer which has a very interesting story/history (seit 1455!) and holds many events including one called art x beer and brings sculptors from around Germany to showcase their work. Their "spezial hell" is also really nice and light. Another brand I got to know recently is Mönchshof, and it was interesting to learn about the reusable swingtop caps or handdrawn illustrations (that give it a more traditional vibe) of this specialty brewer.
I've also learnt that "German Fanta" is different to the American Fanta we know, and that apparently there is a famous childhood fanta cake made from it! I haven't tried making the cake yet, but I've finally tried the drink which is alot less orange than the Fanta that I'm used to seeing. I also got to try Leberkäse and the 'joke' is that usually no one knows what it is made of, as it consists of the leftover meats that butchers bake into a meatloaf. However at the mensa, they decided to make one just out of pork for lunch which was quite tasty. Also, it's not just that cheeses are popular here in Germany (those alps!), but I actually found Bären=bear shaped ones which are so cute 🐻
It was also nice to visit the art museums on Sunday (1 euro tix!) as well as attend an outdoor classical concert, and just appreciate "European art & music" in person....It just feels different to truly know the landscapes artists must have seen when they created their pieces or to even stand on the grounds where Mozart/other musicians once stood!:P Although I did learn parts of Vivaldi's 4 seasons for the piano before, it's a new found appreciation for this composition having actually experienced the 4 seasons, and to hear how all the different instruments accompany each other in a beautiful setting outside the Munich Residenz. The Alte Pinakothek had a special exhibit on just paintings made with pastels (like my nagomi art!), and it was interesting to learn how some artists chose this medium over oil paints for portraits. I was also quite amused that there was a painting by Carl Schuch called "Still life with asparagus", and it featured the spargel (not green ones!), something I would never have known about had I not been in Germany...it is such an important part of life here that they even vote for an asparagus queen yearly!
I've loved cycling in the Olympic park, swimming in outdoor pools and enjoying the remnants of what Munich summer had to offer. These cycling related signs are something you begin to take notice of when you actually cycle because I'm so used to just walking everywhere :P The Schyrenbad is a really nice outdoor pool in a park setting, and it's beautiful as the sun sets to see the sunlight shimmering in the water as you are swimming (and they even have jets in the water to provide you with a relaxing massage of sorts as you lie down on these deck chair inside the pool!). You can then stop by Kiosk Isarwahn for some nice snacks/beers after :) The lady there was very amused by my new fondness for "senf" =mustard :P
Anyway, till we meet again Munich, "Tschüss!" <3
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