München for Christmas

Since I'm 27 weeks pregnant, and going to the US to deliver in March, we decided to stay on our side of the Atlantic for Christmas 2012.  We did our research, and found that Munich and the Bavarian Alps are a great place to go with kids. Let's not forget to mention the 1.2 EU to USD exchange rate.


Munich is easily one of the most amazing cities we've ever seen.  Both Seth and I absolutely loved our time there, and Benjamin had a total blast.  It's completely stroller friendly, it's clean, it has a ton of walking paths and parks, and you can get around via their subway (the Munich U-Bahn).  We paid 80 EU for Seth and myself (B-Man was free) for the entire time we were there, and were able to see the city at total ease.  Get this: nobody checks your tickets, so it's possible for you to cheat the system and ride for free, but most people pay for them regardless.  If you do get caught it's a hefty fine, so I guess they check from time to time.  Still, nothing like putting you in the Christmas Spirit like a major transportation system running on the honor system.

We left Cairo on December 21st, and headed north.  On our plane were two families that we knew through different expat places and Seth's bike group.  One family was going to Munich like us, the other one was just beginning their Christmas trip home to the US.  I have to admit I was very glad that our trip ended after 4 hours, instead of adding 20 more.

Our first impression of Munich was a weather related let down.  It was cold and raining.  I was nervous because the weather website said it was going to rain all week.  It put me in a pretty tense mood of wondering if I should of packed differently and what in the heck are we going to do all week in the rain.  Good news though!  That was the last time we saw rain until the day we left.  Every other day was rain free and, mostly, sunny.

First train trip, from the airport to our hotel

Waiting for our train on the U Bahn 

The weather may have been iffy on the first day, but our impression of the locals was very clear- people in Munich are extremely friendly.  A man gave up his seat so that Seth would have room for our bags, a girl helped Seth get off one of our bags at our hotel's stop, and people looked you in the eye and smiled.  It was great!  I didn't know what to expect of the locals before we came, and honestly I was picturing a lot of too cool for school types. I was happy to be proved wrong!

We unpacked and decided to hit the streets.  The Marienplatz was less than a mile from our hotel, so we headed out to discover. 

Old town hall, Benjamin called it a castle so we went with that

Glockenspiel that we were lucky enough to catch moving.  I tried finding a YouTube video of it to post, but they all made me motion sick with all the zooming.  I figured they'd do the same for you.

On the way we were stopped by two ladies who (I think) asked us directions to somewhere, so score!  We looked local and non tourist!  We also found a large outdoor store that would be our salvation for several items.  Seth and Benjamin needed scarves, and Seth was able to get some much needed items for his bikes.

We opted out of buying a boat.

Another reason we chose to go to Germany is that Munich (and most German cities)  has a ton of Christmas Markets set up all over the city. 

like this

little Christmas scenes set up

 We discovered if there was an open space the chances of a Christmas Market being set up were likely.  The Marienplatz (basically the center of town) had one of the largest ones.  Christmas Markets sell a lot of the same things in each one that's set up around town.  You'll find candles, Christmas ornaments, Nativity Scenes, food stalls and different liquid refreshment stalls.  They're all set up in these wooden stalls that are covered in garland and smell like heaven.

Small shop set up in a Christmas Market.

Delicious gingerbread cookies...

that were enjoyed all week.  Even Santa go to enjoy them.

One refreshement that Seth thoroughly enjoyed was mulled wine, or in zee sprekken zee German, Gluhwein.  Gluhwein (imagine there is that double dot thing over the u, I don't know how to make that happen) is a mixture of red wine and spices such as cinnamon  cloves, star anise, and citrus fruit.  I had a sip of Seth's (just a sip!), and it's very good.  He liked it a lot.

Seth in the Marienplatz enjoying his Gluhwein

Gluhwein to the left, Kinderpunch to the right.  Kinderpunch is the same recipe, just juice and not wine

Our first official full day brought us to the Olympic Park where Munich hosted the Summer Olympics in 1972.  It was where Mark Spitz (aka the guy who was "The Guy" before Michael Phelps) won 8 Gold Medals.  And, where the Munich Massacre happened- not at the park itself, but in the athlete's dorms.  

The design of Olympic Park's buildings are really interesting.  Each of the buildings is covered with glass tents like structures that are held up by cranes.  

*not a picture we took

*same applies to this one- we didn't have access to a helicopter on this trip

One thing I always wondered about these massive facilities built to accommodate the Olympics is what happens to everything once it's all said and done?  I can report that in Munich it's now used as a park.  The old facilities are filled with people who use the paths for biking and hiking, and their is also a really cool looking gym in one of the buildings.  

Snuck a peek inside the pool facility to see swimming and diving practice 

After peeking in the buildings we went to the lakes where one of the best things I have ever witnessed occurred...

Benjamin was very excited to see all the ducks (which, by the way, were absolutely beautiful).  He then lost his mind when he saw pigeons.  Yes, the bird that's found everywhere, but hey- it's the little things in life.  My 3 year old proceeds to ask the pigeon "Hey, Hey Bird!  You swim or just fly?  Yea...you only fly.  That's okay, bird!  That's okay!"  I do not think I'll ever forget that moment. 

Checking out the ducks. Birds that swim AND fly!

We took our duck enthusiast to the Munich Aquarium, which is right by the lake pictured above. It's (sorry Munich!) not a great aquarium, but we knew the man would enjoy it, so we went.

Then back outside to see some more Munich sites

Outside the aquarium, still in the Olympic Park

The BMW Head Quarters and Museum is right across this major freeway from the Olympic Park. 

We really didn't have a full out agenda.  We just had a simple plan each day, and headed in that direction, but often stopped to check out whatever caught Benjamin's eye or what looked interesting.

"Hey Lion! You see snow?"

You stop by a lot of animal statues when you travel with your little dude.

Yup, more animals 

inside the old Town Hall 

One place I loved going to see was the English Garden.  It's a large green space in the city filled with plenty of opportunities for a small fry to roam free.

It's huge, all that green space is the English Garden

What did we find there?  Awww yea, another Christmas Market... 

Which for Seth meant more mulled wine and other refreshments...

and me, more food...

Red Bratwurst, mustard, on a freshly baked bun

Cake type crumbly things, and plums in this cinnamon sauce

and for Benjamin...

SANTA!  Well, Santa-ish.  More like St. Nicholas

and cookies

It was great being able to let Benjamin go on a full tear through the fresh air.  He loved it.  It's not something you can really do in Cairo.  Too many cars, and fresh air? What's that?  So we made a point to get the man out of the stroller and in the open air as much as possible

"Look!  Rib-err!  Look!  Warr-fawl!"

by the Ishtar River

Small park by the Ishtar River

Taking a scenic break in the English Garden

We made a trip to Nymphenburg Palace.  

Oh yea, those swans and ducks were another big hit

frozen river on the path up to the palace 

It was a last minute decision when we had the rest of the day facing us.  I'm really glad we went.  We didn't go inside the Palace because I just didn't think my 3 year old ball of energy was going to enjoy checking out Baroque decor and old furniture, so we stuck to the grounds.  Behind the palace is a 290 acre park.  

It was really cold that day, and we had just done a ton of walking so we decided to stop at a near beer garden and relax.  Oh, and totally eat

We visited three beer house/gardens while in Munich.  This one was our absolute favorite. 

It was so cozy and warm inside.  

Benjamin feasting on the table's centerpiece of oranges and walnuts 

Seth in a post beer and pork glow of warmth.

I don't know if it was because it was Christmas Eve, we were colder than we thought or just needed to be somewhere cozy for awhile, but stopping at Metzerwirt was a great idea.  Seth and I split a plate of various sausages, and I got to finally order something I had been dreaming of...delicious, freshly baked, Apple Strudel.

The picture is too dark, but inside that mound of awesome are a ton of apples.

 and Benjamin enjoyed eating an apple he received from an angel earlier that day...

Seriously, he ate his angel apple for lunch.

an orange that was a centerpiece, and a pretzel.  I also need to add that he began taking to calling his apple juice "Benjamin's Beer".  So, he had a "beer" too.

Not the same day (this was actually the first place we ate in Munich), but  pretzel eating kinda looks the same no matter where it's done.

Same goes for a Benny and Dad "cheers".  OH! and that apple juice in the picture is awesome.  It's sparkling water and apple juice mixed. Delicious!!

We headed back to the hotel where we waited for Santa to come.

and he did!

Mom's Christmas sock had to double as a stocking 

We chilled in our room for most of Christmas morning.  Which my 6 month pregnant self thoroughly enjoyed.  

After we got cabin fever we headed out for just a simple walk.  That actually ended up being more of a 5 mile walk through the city.  It was a lot, but we had a great day.  We started by walking along the Ishtar River and ended up back in the English Garden.  

We stopped here for some late lunch/early dinner...

another really lovely and cozy spot to eat

Oh this was so so so good! A sample plate of Bavarian ham, sausage and cheese.  The shredded stuff is horseradish.  Delicious!

Awww yea, more strudel 

Strudel is my favorite

The day after Christmas we took a day trip to Garmisch, Germany.  It's an hour and half trip by train.  It's possible that this was my most favorite outing.  It's not debatable that it was Benjamin's favorite.

We sat next to the nicest lady who Benjamin really loved.  She gave him a lolly pop.

Garmisch has a very nice town area and then you walk up a path (by a running brook- of fresh water- like the kind you pay $5 a bottle to drink!) to the foot of a mountain.  After enjoying a small lunch at a really good Italian restaurant (yea, we were getting over German food by this point) we set out to see the town and the slopes.

So, if I head that someone I knew spent a day at The Alps for Christmas I'd be like you're taking me to lunch next week moneybags.  Not The Casa Family!  How to do The Alps on the cheap, ie How to probably do things very incorrectly, not pay a dime to do said things, and get away with it...

1.  Buy your child $10 Snow Boots in July and a $20 Ski Jacket and Bib in August.  That you change him into in the parking lot of the slope...

Benny, your mom and dad are so classy it isn't funny.

2.  Walk up to the place like you own it

Hi all, we're here to meet Haans and Geeta on the slopes.

3.  Ask how much it is to go up and back to just once on the lift. Hear the lady say "90 Euro", ask her to repeat what she just said, because how in the hell is a trip up a mountain and back 90 EU?!  Walk away, mime 90 Euro to your husband, and see him give you a Oh Hell No kind of look.  Wonder what you're going to do now...

4.  A super nice guy notices that you're just standing there looking confused so he takes pity on you and lends you a sled.  Spend 2 hours having an absolute blast watching your child have an absolute blast...

Seth was an absolute trooper and took him up and down the hill over and over again.

5.  Head back to make the 5:00 train, have your kid pass out in his stroller and sleep through most of the train ride home. 

There are a lot of times when we really miss home.  Especially when Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas hits.  I think about all my Christmas decorations sitting in storage, how Benny would of loved to go Trick or Treating in our old neighborhood in Houston, how our family is sitting down to a great Thanksgiving meal, and wonder if we should move home earlier than we expected.  Then we get to go on a trip like the one in Munich.  I don't know if I would of ever gone there if we didn't live in Egypt.  I highly doubt it.  So, this life away from home and everything familiar has it's perks.  This past vacation was definitely one of them.

Germany was amazing.  Munich is a very cool city.  We had the time of our lives!