It was my last day in Munich before heading to Berlin. I should have done with one more day in Munich, to the Neuschwanstein castle (apparently it's very Disney-like and almost bankrupted Bavaria), but Munich was still a great experience.
First I headed to the glockenspiel to catch the performance at 11am. There are 2 performances each day, at 11am and 12am. Bells (or glockenspiels?) will play as little figurines in the centre of the tower will dance around. It was cute, though it would have been boring without eavesdropping on a tour guide nearby on what was happening. The technology is really old so naturally, it was quite slow and simple.
Here's the story as taken from Wikipedia:
The first half of the Glockenspiel tells the story of the marriage of the local Duke Wilhelm V (who also founded the world famous Hofbräuhaus) to Renata of Lorraine. In honour of the happy couple there is a joust with life-sized knights on horseback representing Bavaria (in white and blue) and Lothringen (in red and white). The Bavarian knight wins every time, of course.
This is then followed by the bottom half and second story: Schäfflertanz (the coopers' dance). According to myth, 1517 was a year of plague in Munich (the Bubonic plague, I think). The coopers are said to have danced through the streets to "bring fresh vitality to fearful dispositions." The coopers remained loyal to the duke, and their dance came to symbolize perseverance and loyalty to authority through difficult times. By tradition, the dance is performed in Munich every seven years.
Further down were some musicians. Wouldn't call them buskers because they were more talented than that.
And this is where FC Bayern Munich plays their games - Allianz Arena. I'm not really a soccer fan, and I wouldn't fully appreciate the tour, but it was still pretty interesting to be where soccer players are/were you know. And that I've walked where big shot soccer players walked, and breathed the same air that they breathe...
I met another two Japanese during the tour, because you always need people to take pictures for you when you travel solo. This is Nia and I sitting at one of the most expensive seats in the Allianz Arena. You have to be invited in order to be able to sit there for the games.
After that was running around the central area of Munich to snap photos.
Some market, but selling easter stuff
Got quite tired after that and decided to use my beer coupon that they had given me on my birthday :)
Although I did realise that drinking on an empty stomach isn't the best idea because I felt whoozy so easily after that.
Ran around again for the last time in Munich
At night, I took the overnight ICE train to Berlin. I have to say that I was quite panicky because I heard that stuff are stolen on the train and I was travelling alone... On the whole it wasn't too bad - slept in one hour intervals, didn't know where I was on the train... hahaha. Nothing went terribly wrong so, :).
Solo tripping was an interesting experience really. I had a lot of flexibility to do what I wanted at anytime, which included meeting new people and getting lost without feeling bad. I could really enjoy the quiet, and the place for what it is. Although, I did miss company, because the best inside jokes and ridiculous photos can only come with friends hehe.
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