Deutschland Day 3: Leaving Germany

I just wanted to wrap up the Germany trip with a quick side story. When we went to leave for the airport, we got on the train that said it was going to the airport. On the display it said that people heading for the airport should sit towards the back of the train. So when the train pulled into the station, we got on and heading towards the back. The problem was that there were two trains attached to each other. We thought that they just wanted those who were riding to the airport to remain in the back of the train to keep their luggage out of the way. Since the airport was supposed to be the last stop, we didn't pay much attention to the ride. Therefore, when we got to one of the stops and the train behind us disconnected, we didn't really notice. We did notice however, when we got to the next stop, and the train started going back in the direction that it had come from!

We instantly realized that this particular line had two branches. The train in the back when to the airport, while the train in the front when to another small town nearby. Therefore, when we got back to the stop where the trains had split, we had to jump off and go to the other side to catch the next train. This time we sat at the absolute back of the train to make sure that we went to the airport!! We were just glad that we had given ourselves enough time that this little mess up didn't cause too many problems.

Another quick side not about our Munich trip was the airport. The pictures below illustrate how interesting the architecture of the airport's Terminal 2 was. Designed by Koch and Partners it was built between 1998 and 2003.

Munich Airport Terminal 2

Munich Airport Terminal 2

Deutschland Day 3: Dachau

Since we were heading back to Rome in the evening on February 19th, we decided to use the morning to make a quick trip to the small town of Dachau. Dachau is a charming little place with a dark past, as it is well known for its concentration camp. Dachau Concentration Camp was the first to open in Germany, in 1933, and was liberated in 1945. This made it the Third Reich's longest running concentration camp. Today it is a memorial to those prisoners who here lived as well as those who died here. 

The gloomy rainy weather seemed to set the mood.

The town of Dachau is an absolute adorable town
with a great blend of modern and traditional German architecture

It was a lot of fun to walk through the town
before heading to the concentration camp memorial

The main gate of Dachau Concentration Camp

Gate Tower

Barracks A (right) was one of 69 barracks.
The courtyard between the barracks and the kitchen (left) was used for executions.
The main gate is also in the picture next to the kitchen in the background.

The row where the barracks once stood.

Bathroom inside the barracks.

Bunks were prisoners once slept,

Memorial sculpture

Inside the main building of the concentration camp,
which is now a museum depicting the horrifying history that took place here.

Crematorium

The overwhelming emotions that one feels as they walk through a place like this is not something that can be described. It makes you question both your beliefs and your humanity.

Deutschland Day 2: Munich

Since we were staying in Munich, we realized that we should probably see the city. So we started out the morning of February 18th on a walking tour of the city. We learned about the various sites, the history, and the culture. After our walk, we headed to a restaurant for some lunch before hiking out to the Olympic park. We watched the sun set over the Olympic park and then headed back to the city. During our walk back we did some souvenir shopping and then enjoyed a traditional German meal, complete with beer. 

The Glockenspiel which is the "New Town Hall" of Munich was built in 1908
 and is located in Marienplatz, which is the main square of Munich 

Its clock features 32 life-size figures that reenact marriage
celebration of Duke Wilhelm V, founder of the Hofbrauhaus

Munich Frauenkirche, or the Cathedral of Our Dear Lady

Inside Frauenkirche

It is the cathedral of the archdiocese of Munich

A plaque dedicated to Pope Benedict XVI,
former Archbishop of  Munich

Theatine Church in Munich

National Theatre Munich,
built by King Maximilian I of Bavaria, who's  statue sits in the foreground

The Hofbrauhaus, or Royal Beer Hall,
is tucked into the streets of Munich

Inside the Hofbrauhaus, the long tables await an evening of beer drinking

The chairs display the Hofbrauhaus logo

Me at the Hofbrauhaus

Lunch!
A German Style "Mac and Cheese" with a traditional German Beer

Apparently if you touch the nose of the lion
 on the shield it will bring you good luck!

Inside the Hofgarten, or Court Garden in Munich

Another view of the Theatine Church

View overlooking the city as we climbed over
the hill leading to the Olympic Park

Munich's Olympic Park, built for the 1972 Summer Olympics

BMW tower located just beyond the Olympic Park

The Olympic Tower, stands at about 290 meters

Inside the Olympic Swim

Olympic Stadium

 Why can't all subway stations look like this?

Fresh pretzel and beer as an appetizer 

Dinner (don't worry, that's the same beer)

Dessert!! We all split an apple strudel!!

(That's not my beer... mine was gone at this point!)