Langenargen

On the day of my departure to Langenargen, I went with Thomas and Cordula to her nephew's Communion in Buchloe. It was great to be able to attend a Catholic Mass in Deutsch. The service was just as long, but there were so many people there that they ran out of Communion for the rest of the people. It was a small Church. From there we had lunch at a little restaurant and then back to her siste'rs house for dessert. It was already time for me to catch my train from Buchloe to Lindau, the ride was about 2 hours long. Southern Germany is so beautiful.

There are many German sayings, here is one, on the glass reads "Thirsty as a Bear" (I liked it). Typically the saying goes "Hungry as a Bear". The food was delicious and those are probably my favorite potatoes.

It was 6:30p when I arrived into Lindau and Sabine, Jason, and Johnny picked me up to take me to Langenargen about 20-30 min drive. Their home is very beautiful and just minutes from the lake. One day we took the kids down there to play. Jason had a friend over Robyn and his cousin was with us too, Annie. The picture of the rock (below) says, Welcome Lisa! They wrote it a few days before so it is a little dulled down. It was very sweet. Since the weather is warming up, we are seeing more sailboats on the water and windsurfers. It is still a bit to cloudy and can't see the Swiss Alps so well.

 

 

                  





Here is a photo of Sabine, Jason, and Johnny. The white house is where we live and the yellow on is where Oma and Opa (Grandma & Grandpa) live. Right behind the house is the nursery that the family owns and works at. Alfred Knam Garten Nursery is the name.

 

I had some time after the lake to go explore the town. The sun was just setting.

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Need a nice Radler after playing with the kids and some time to read up on Germany to know where I want go next. There was actually a Soccer game that evening on the tv and the bar was packed full, FC Bayarn (Munich) vs Olympique Lyon (France) - Munich Won!!!  

The next day I had Johnny in town with me and we took some more photos. The flowers are just in bloom really make the city.

There is a market that sets up every Thursday with fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, cheeses, and breads. It is wonderful as you know it comes every Thursday. We bought a little of everything. No one likes seafood here so they bought me a little seafood salad with shrimp, muscles, squid, octopus, and scallops in it. Was amazing. The scenery is simply spectular and the sun doesn't set til about 8p so there is still plenty of time to enjoy the evenings after dinner.

Tour of Munich

Coming to Munich twice before there was much of the city that I had already learned and seen. I wanted to do a tour by myself and either refresh my memory or experience new sites. Here is a little bit of Munich...

Marienplatz is the heart and soul of the city. Here is the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall)  where all the visitors information in located on the ground level. On a clear day you can see the Bavarian Alps. I was not so lucky on Thursday.

Mariensaule (Mary's Column) in the center, built in 1638 to celebrate victory over Swedish forces during the Thirty Year's War.

Next, I headed to the Viktualienmarkt. This is a huge outdoors market where they have stands filled with everything from Sausage, Sandwhiches, Fish, Flowers, Wind Chimes, Breads, Fruits and even a Beer Garden.

The Blue and White diamonds are the Bavarian Flag. Munich is actually preparing for the Fruhlingsfest (Springfest) which starts April 20th. It is a smaller verison of Oktoberfest.

Bavaria has incredible scenery as well as delicious beer.

I didn't go and check out the St Peterskirche since Thomas took Alan and I up the last time we were in Munich. There are 306 stairs straight to the top. The view is incredible and there is a chain linked fence all around so pretty windy up there. It is 92m tall.

 For the next stop I never heard or seen the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady) and it is said to have the best views of Munich. It is described as two onion shaped domes 99m tall. Considered to be a symbol of the Bavarian State Capital.

Walking down the shopping arcade, Funf Hofe, I stopped to check out the Deutsches Jagd - und Fischereimuseum. It is said if you rub the boar's head it will bring good luck. I didn't go in the museum of dead stuffed animals.  

Not sure if it is really good luck? We shall see!

The Residenz is a palace for the Wittelsbach that ruled for four centuries. The lions guard the enterance way, people rub the toes of the lions for good luck and wealth.

Directly to the right hand side is the Theainkirche, built to commemorate the birth of Prince Max Emanuel. Holds many ruler's crypts such as the Wittelsbachs.

The Hofgarten is only a few feet away. Very beautiful designed garden in an octagonal shape. Fountains, benches, and flower beds line the courtyard.

The temple was built for a Roman Godess of hunt, Dianatempel.

Spent lots of time in the Hofgarten reading when the weather was warming up throughout the week.

Bavaria's governor has his office in the Bayerische Staatkanziel

There is a short walk to the Englischer Garten (English Garden) from the Hofgarten. It is one of Europe's biggest city parks (larger than Hyde Park and Central Park). An American Benjamin Thompson working for the Bavarian government designed the park.

Near the duck pond is the Japanisches Teehaus, Tea is served in April - October at 3p-5p Saturday and Sunday.

There is an artifical wave and surfers learned that they can use it to practice and get riding in. Everyone comes out and lays in the park once the sun is shining. It was a very beautiful day.

Fountain in front of the Ludwig -Maximilians University.