Posted April 17, 20196 yr Over Christmas and New Years 2018-19 I traveled to Europe with a couple of friends. I will link to the other topics once I create them. Munich, Germany: December 21-24 Vienna, Austria: December 24-27 Prague, Czechia: December 27-29 Berlin, Germany: December 29-January 3 Zermatt, Switzerland: January 3-5 Thun, Switzerland: January 5 Bern, Switzerland: January 5 Zurich, Switzerland: January 5-7 We arrived in Munich after a layover in London and a bus ride from Zurich. With round trip tickets out of Zurich, we decided to skip it at the beginning to get other cities into our schedule so we could still make Berlin for New Years. We didn't arrive in Munich until about 11pm on the 21st. We found a brewery to hang out at for about an hour before making our way to the Airbnb. The first few shots are inside of the basement of the Augustiner-Keller. Like the lager cellars in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, these cellars were originally used to lager beers. Now they are filled with large communal tables. They also had a biergarten and restaurant upstairs. DSC_0375 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0379 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0381 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0386 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0391 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr We found some lackluster Döner and then made our way to our place for the night. The next day we decided to try our hand at scalping tickets to see a soccer match. The match was in Germany's third league, the 3. Liga, but between two well known teams for anyone who follows Bundesliga: TSV 1860 München and 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Both teams were in the first division in recent memory (2004 for Munich, and 2012 for Kaiserslautern), but they have fallen on hard times lately. Our Airbnb was located right next to the Kolumbusplatz metro station, so it was an easy walk to the stadium. Before reaching the stadium, we stopped at another brewery - Giesinger Bräustüberl - where fans of both teams were having a great time drinking beer and eating grilled sausages (both excellent). DSC_0392 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0398 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0399 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0403 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0406 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0408 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0409 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0411 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0415 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0421 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0423 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr We were able to scalp tickets outside of the gate for about $20 each, but didn't get seats together. The seats were in different parts of the stadium, so we couldn't meet up (there are 4 distinct areas, and you can't go from one to the other). Here are a few photos from the match. They used to play in Allianz Arena where Bayern Munich plays, but the team's ownership didn't want to invest in the team when they got relegated from 2. Bundesliga to the 3. Liga, so they moved into the much more intimate Grünwalder Stadion on the south side of the city and also got new ownership. Fans at the match said that Bayern Munich fans lack heart, and that's what the die-hard fans of 1860 have. Most were still really proud of their team, and having a great time despite their poor fortunes. DSC_0428 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0432 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0436 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0440 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr Although the fencing obscures pictures pretty heavily, it wasn't too big of an issue actually watching the match. I snapped a photo of the game-winning header going into the goal here. DSC_0533 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0552 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0583 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr The banner below says something along the lines of "Merry Christmas to all of the Lions fans banned and behind bars" - a reference to the ultras who have been punished for various activities. DSC_0629 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0533 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr After the match we took an Uber to the Paulaner Bräuhaus where I only took one photo of some copper tanks, and then we stumbled upon a Christmas Market in a little 100'x50' plaza. DSC_0706 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr Unbeknownst to us, the Christmas Market we found was an LGBT Christmas Market. We were immediately struck by the young demographics, as we didn't expect Christmas markets to be so young. The market was called Pink Christmas and it featured the regular assortment of food and drinks as well as a few shops lining the perimeter. At the end of the market was a DJ booth (where the guy was dressed as a unicorn). It was definitely an interesting first Christmas Market experience! DSC_0707 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0711 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0717 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0736 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0739 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr The cup from 2017 which was still in circulation read: "Ehe Für Alle" - "Marriage for all" DSC_0740 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0749 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0754 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr The next day we wandered the city and went to the main Christmas Market in Die Altstadt centered around Marienplatz. The first couple of photos are around Kolumbusplatz, and features the best Döner we had all trip. If you're in Munich, go to Türkitch! DSC_0770 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0771 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0772 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0773 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0780 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0781 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0784 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0787 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0797 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0806 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr I was taking blurry photos of my mug of Glühwein and this kid kept making faces through the window. DSC_0810 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0812 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0817 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr It rained a lot while in Munich, but rarely was it too much for anything more than a rain jacket. DSC_0820 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0821 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0823 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0827 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0829 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0831 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0837 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0846 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0852 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr My friend Timo lived in Munich for a long time, and he arrived in Munich to visit family during our last night there. He gave us a quick tour of the city that night which included several more Christmas Markets. On the route we passed the Munich Residenz, which was where royalty stayed in Munich. There was a guarded memorial to fallen Nazi party members outside of the Residenz that every citizen was required by law to salute during WWII when they passed it. Germans who didn't support the Nazis would take an alley to the side to avoid passing the monument. An artist was commissioned fairly recently to commemorate those who silently objected to the Nazi party by taking the alley. The alley is officially called Viscardigasse, but was nicknamed Drückebergergasse - or Shirker's Alley - in response to those who used it to avoid giving the Nazi salute. DSC_0853 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0857 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr The Feldherrnhalle shown below was the site of the Beer Hall Putsch. To the left of this photo is the Residenz, and to the right is a church (Theatine Church). DSC_0860 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0866 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr We briefly stopped at another Christmas Market inside a courtyard of the Residenz. DSC_0861 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0865 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr The next Christmas Market we went to was a Medieval themed Christmas Market (Mittelaltermarkt). The main attraction here is the Feuerzangebowle. Essentially, it's a large clay goblet of Glühwein with a lip on the edge. A sugar cube is placed on the lip, and then doused in rum. The entire thing is lit on fire. The longer you let the fire burn, the less alcohol is left in the drink and the sweeter it gets. DSC_0868 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0869 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0871 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0874 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr The last stop where I took pictures was at the Theresienwiese - the Oktoberfest grounds. The site is a huge plot of land close to the city with no permanent structures. They program for a few special events a year like Oktoberfest, concerts, and Tollwood - an alternative Christmas Market. It's a less traditional market experience. DSC_0879 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0884 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0887 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0897 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0900 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0943 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr I can't remember what these were called, but they were cinnamon flavored. DSC_0910 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0946 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr On the last day in Munich we had to catch a train to Vienna. It was Christmas Eve, and the last day of the Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt. We walked the length of the market in the daytime since we hadn't done it before. These are various photos throughout Die Altstadt in Munich before our train trip to Vienna. DSC_0955 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0961 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0967 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0972 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0976 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0979 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr A few photos from St. Peter's Church, including the jeweled skeleton of St. Mundita. DSC_0983 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0986 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0992 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_0997 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1000 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1006 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1011 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1014 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1033 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1037 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1038 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr A few photos of St. Michael's Church below DSC_1040 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1042 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1043 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1045 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1047 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr DSC_1054 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr We finally ended up in the Hauptbahnhof on our way to Vienna. After our experience in Vienna, this sign in the train station is clearly for them. DSC_0949 by Ryan Lammi, on Flickr
April 17, 20196 yr I did a similar trip in 2007 and enjoyed pretty much all the jawns. Munich is arguably Germany's most beautiful major city and what most Americans think of when they think "Germany." Glad you enjoyed it. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 17, 20196 yr Author I've also attached a video I took of the 1860 fans singing a rendition of Jingle Bells. Hopefully it uploads properly VID_20181222_141316.mp4
April 17, 20196 yr Great shots! The city looked garbage free, I didn't see one piece of litter in the pics, is that the case?
April 17, 20196 yr Looks great. Thanks for sharing! “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
April 17, 20196 yr Author 51 minutes ago, The_Cincinnati_Kid said: Great shots! The city looked garbage free, I didn't see one piece of litter in the pics, is that the case? Honestly, I don't really remember specifically. I don't recall a lot of litter, but it wasn't really something I was looking out for. It's one of those things where if it was equal to or cleaner than the typical city in America, I probably wouldn't notice at all. If it was significantly worse, I would probably notice. So I'm sure there was less than a typical city in the states.
April 29, 20196 yr nice. i love the night shots and yeah it does look very clean. i love traveling in europe over that time time of year. the tourist areas are not so overrun by tourists. thats how i went my first time and we made it to christmas mass at notre dame and then to the pope's new years day blessing in st peters square. you covered a lot more ground though -- i hope we see more pics when you can.
June 16, 20195 yr On 5/15/2019 at 9:02 AM, ryanlammi said: I uploaded photos from Vienna here! The Government issued you a passport? ??♂️ Oh Lawd. Nice photos. ?
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