Day 1 - Munich

We arrived in Munich at 5pm. Directly outside the airport was a lovely winter market with an ice skating rink and little log cabins gift stalls. The sights and sounds of Christmas welcomed us to Munich.

We took the train from the airport to Karlplatz and from there easily walked to the Wallis Hotel. It was modest, clean and conveniently located next door to a late-night walk-up McDonalds and also across from a very popular sex shop. Its huge pink neon sign gave our room a cozy glow. Once settled we walked down to the main square where we found another ice skating rink and a temporary 2 story cabin built over the city fountain serving sausages, frites, and beer. It was the perfect dinner and excellent way to start our German experience.

There was also another ice skating rink.Germans must LOVE to ice skate!

After dinner, we walked along the pedestrian streets of Munich. We popped into the The Hofbräuhaus briefly so Mom could see what all the craziness was about. There was UmPaPa music from a lively band and packed tables with people drinking 1 liter glasses of beer. We did a quick run through while avoiding the puddles of beer. It is now a smoke free establishment which is great. Back in 2005, I had to walk out because the fog of smoke was so thick, it created  zero visibility.