MELODY TIENYUN

During these few days, we did the touristy thing and paid for this view overlooking the colorful rooftops and buildings. Luckily, there’s student discounts for almost everything in Europe!

To give you an idea of how we got up to the top of this church tower, we walked 300+ steps up this cramped staircase with our carry on backpacks. Thank you Minaal, Tortuga, and SOVRN Republic, for providing us with our backpack needs. Good luck to the girls we saw at the bottom with their four wheeled suitcases… Also, this served as a two-way path.

The cool, dry weather and fresh air was fantastic, despite us feeling like we were caged. If you’re claustrophobic, I would not recommend this spot.

Following our host’s recommendation, we ventured through the city for some points of interest. Below was where Hitler gave his first public speech, but it looked more like a market for Christmas trees.

Olympic Stadium

The weather was almost too good to be true for a Munich winter! Forecast was pretty much sunny every day, which was a nice change from the London grey. I even ended up with 7 bug bites on my face… to which G commented, “No one would believe you got those bites in the December of Germany.”

BMW Museum (that was closed)

We’d like to pretend these cars are ours

To me, a Mercedes Benz is a luxury car. When we told G that, his response was, “Really? My mother calls those autos, farmer’s car.”

Oodles of Cathedrals

The next cathedral we would never have found just by wandering through the city. Gus told us that from the outside, it blends in with the rest of the street, but its design is something like you’ve never seen before–a late baroque gothic style.

The architect must have been on crack. – Gus

See for yourself. (Disclaimer: this is a brighter representation of the actual lighting).  

Average distance walked per day according to Fitbit= 5.5 miles.

Aunt Ann made us some homemade Chinese food for Christmas Eve dinner. She warned us beforehand, “You are welcome to spend Christmas with us, but fair warning-there won’t be Christmas trees or turkey.” No problem! It was the first time I got to eat something similar to home. It’s always lovely finding bits of home away from home.