Munich (and other stuff)

We are currently in Munich staying at this pretty awesome hostel called the Tent. Pretty much its just one giant tent with a ton of bunk beds. There are other buildings as well. I am currently in the cafeteria and do not have much time to post this blog entry, so we will see what I can accomplish.

Anyway, on the way back to the train station last night, we passed this monument called the Topography of Terror. We actually also passed it on the walking tour, but did not have time to stop through. We did this time around. Basically they demolished this old building (I think an office for the Nazis or something) and turned it into a monument. They have a lot of information including the names, biographies and stories of the people who were tortured there (or in the general area, not sure which).

After spending quite a while at that exhibit, we did make our way back to the train station. I found the booking office and more or less successfully booked all of the remaining trains that needed to be booked. We have a 6 am train out of Budapest that sounds like a lot of fun, and also need to extend our stay there because the overnight train to Zagreb that I thought existed did not exist.

After that, we ate some Asian food at the train station (meaning, yes, Andrew got his sushi) and watched part of the Spain Russia game. Headed up to the platform. Gianni almost missed the train because he had to send off postcards, but we all made it on safely. We did not upgrade out tickets but this overnight train was far superior to the last. Instead of rooms, we were all in regular compartments with chairs that reclined almost all the way back, had more leg room, and were generally more comfortable than the last one.

Even so, I did wake up a lot this time and I heard that Andrew did not sleep well because he kept on waking up to a little girl grabbing his leg. Lol.


Lets see twenty minutes left.

We arrived into Munich around 7 this morning. I finally forced Andrew to get a new Eurail pass printed because his was in a horrible condition. Unlike Gianni, they did not charge him for this, which was a plus. Mia and I both paid an exorbitant amount (1.10 euro, which was 50 cents more than the men´s) to change our clothes and brush our teeth. Then we found our way to the tram that woul take us to the hostel.

And like they said on the website and in the book, this place is exactly how it is advertised, a big tent with a couple of other buildings. It is very hippyish so I have a very happy sister.

We checked in, got blankets and set up our beds. Then, we made our way to teh cafeteria. Breakfast is not free here, but is very cheap as are the other meals they cook for you here.

We were going to do laundry, but decided that since we do not have that much time here that we should do one of the New Europe walking tours for Munich like we had in Berlin. Made our way out to the meeting place. Tour started in Marienplatz, which is where they have this big golden monument to Mary, as well as the new town hall where little characters dance around and tell stories three times a day in the Glckenspiel. Very much like Disneyland. (or Disneyland probably stole their Its A Small World Idea from here). It actually even smelled like Churros, thus enhancing the Disneyland feel. The walking tour took us to a number of places, including this huge market, the cathedral of Munich, Max Josephplatz (with the Opera), the famous beer hall Hofbrauhaus, the oldest Catholic church her ein Munich, and Maxilmillian street (kind of like Rodeo drive).

After the tour, the tour guide invited everyone to the after fooding at this place that served unlimited traditional Bavarian soup. Very good, tasted like a meaty Lentil soup. You also got a free beer with that.

After we ate, Mia was set on getting a Germany jersey for the upcoming Germany-Spain finale of the European cup, so we ran around looking for that. In the process, we also found a Best Buy like store and found more cheap SD cards. YAY. Mia did not find her jersey but got a scarf and a flag. As did Gianni.

What else:? Andrew was very tired, so we went back to the Tent. We all got our laundry done because its cheaper here than any other place we went to and it was a nice way to wind down. They have a lot of hammocks and stuff set up outside, so we have been relaxing and reading since we got back. Had some of the very cheap, but good dinner that they served us. And now I am here.

Tomorrow we are going to do the New Europe Dachau tour, so we have to get up earlyish for that. I think we are all kind of tired from the overnight train, so we will probably have no problems getting to bed early.