It's Dirndl Time

As most of you are aware, Heather Kretler arrived in Bavaria on Sunday March 13th, I greeted her at the airport in the traditional Bavarian garb of a Dirndl.  I was lucky enough to be accompanied by my friend Rachel Gill, also in a classic dirndl.  Upon arriving at the airport, we dropped off the Keena family (my 'crazy' friend Andrew and his sister Emily), picked up Ashleigh who had just arrived in from a trip to Rome, and awaited the arrival of Heather.  Her flight was only a half hour late, which just served to build the anticipation.  A around 2:30 in the afternoon, I caught my first site of little Heather rolling her suitcase and looking like the ultimate Jet Setter.  With squeals of delight and small tears of joy, the long lost roommates where reunited for a week full of excitement.


Upon arrival in Munich, Heather was treated to a typical Bavarian night filled with drinking songs, snappy waiters, and Asian tourists.  What could possibly be better.  Kyrie and Tripp met us at the biggest and oldest known beer hall in the World, Hofbräuhaus, where we proceeded to partake of a few too many pints, he he he.  After leaving the beer hall we headed downtown to our hostel and stopped on the way for a late night snack of doner kebab mit pommes frites. Doner Kebab is a most delicious Turkish food item known in other cultures as either a Gyro or simply a Kebab.  It is delicious.  We arrived safely back at our hostel around midnight and promptly brushed our teeth (thank you Heather) before hitting the hay.  


Today we checked out of the hostel at 10am and put out baggage in storage before heading off to grab some coffee on our way to meet up with the free walking tour at 10:45am.  We found that the S-bahn was shut down right where we needed to catch it for a quick two stop train ride to the Marienplatz, this was a bummer, but we quickly switched to walking mode.  After a quick fifteen minute walk we found ourselves in the Marienplatz, coffee and water in hand.  The tour was amazing, and I 100% suggest that if you ever travel in Europe, you should take the free walking tours where ever they are offered.  It is a cheap and educational way of learning the ins and outs of a city as well as wonderful historical facts.  Munich is a truly amazing place, it has a dark history which we learned quite a bit about, however, the Bavarian people never let it get them down.  Heather was loving all the gothic architecture as well as the witty comments from our lovably tour guide Curt.  After the tour we headed off on our own to find the Augustiner Brauhaus, where planned to partake in a .5 liter of the best beer in Munich (which means it is the best beer in the World).  We were successful in finding this out of the tourist district brewery and were greeted by the friendliest waiter in all of Bavaria.  This man, LOVED, us.  He treated his "ladies" to a truly unique dining experience and suggested we end our meal with a blueberry pancake with fresh whipped cream and vanilla ice cream.  It was to die for.  The three of us were thoroughly stuffed and with a hug from our waiter we were off to explore the Deutscher Museum.  


Navigating the public transport was a breeze and we arrived at the museum promptly at 5pm, only to be shooed out of the doors by a gruff German man telling us the Museum was closed.  With a few giggles and photos, we ran along to the gift shop to see what we were missing.  Based on the gift shop, I am sold on the Deutscher Museum being the second best Natural History Museum in the World.  I can not wait to come back and explore further, preferably before 5pm.   Our trio hurried back to the hostel where we picked up our luggage and made a mad dash to catch the 6:30pm train back to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.  It was an all around perfect way to start Heather's trip to Germany.


Tomorrow we are going on a hike to ancient ruins on the Kramer guided by my friend Richard.  I am so looking forward to the rest of my week!  Venice is also in the near future, if the fates are aligned. (what family, did I hear you were all sending me money for my birthday...how kind...he he he). 


Love you all.

The birth story of my Blog

On Thursday, March 10th at approximately 6:55 in the morning, I was struck by the fact that this Lenten Season I had yet to give up my usual soda, candy or fried food.  I dwelled on this for .5 seconds before realizing it was time to take my mother's mandatory, "it's not what you give up, it's what you take on," comments seriously.  With this in mind I thought of things that would help me to either better myself or those around me, with that, the idea of a blog spot specifically for my family (and friends) was born.  I am taking it upon myself to post a story and picture of events I experience while I am away this Lenten Season.  So prepare yourselves for 40 days and 40 nights of Corinne Fries blogging to her big Catholic family.