Munich With Meredith

So one of my favorite things abroad was getting to visit one of my best friends, Meredith. Meredith and I met through PASSPORT.  We worked out first summer together as Bible Study Leaders, and ultimately worked again together as Director and Assistant Director.  Although she lives down South, she is from Lexington, so we always make a point to hang out when she comes back to Lexington to visit family.  Meredith and I have always remained close, and when she told me she was going to Germany for a year, I promised her I would visit.  I am all about visiting friends who are around the world, and I knew Meredith would be a blast to travel with in Germany. 

So, Meredith has been in Germany for the past year.  She lives in Munich, and loves it.  She was such a superstar guide.  We went to a lot of great places, had great food, and she speaks Germany so that was extremely helpful.  

The New Town Hall, essentially the city hall building.  It is home to the Rathaus Glokenspiel which you can see in the middle.  It tells a story that last about 10 minutes about the marriage of a Duke from Bavaria complete with a joust where the Bavarian knight wins, obviously.  It was beautiful and fun to watch. 

Listing to some singing, complete with traditional German clothing.

Meredith made me climb to the top of a church to look out over the city.  I am so scared of heights, but with her encouragement, I made it to the stop.  It was a beautiful place to look out at the city.  And a beautiful clear day too.

Nymphenburg Palace--The "summer home" for the Bavarian King.  We went to the Palace with a few of the girls that live in Meredith's dorm.  We wandered the Palace and then ate in the cafe.  At the cafe, we ordered three different desserts and shared.  It was a fun day getting to explore and know some of Meredith's new friends. 

Posing in from of Nymphenburg Palace.  

One of the desserts we devoured.  Clearly we liked it :) I think it was chocolate cake with raspberry. 

Old Medieval Gate in Munich.  The City was beautiful, and there were beautiful things to photograph around every corner.  We spent a whole day just walking around and taking pictures.  

Rubbing the lion for good luck.  It's funny to just watch people walk by, they instinctively stick out their hand and rub the lion's shield.  It's a superstitious act, but tourist and locals alike rub the shield.  Hopefully I'll have good luck now!

St. Patrick's Day in Munich.  We walked by the celebration.  There was some Irish music and Irish beer.  However, true to their custom, Germans believe their beer to be far superior, so there was plenty of German beer to celebrate with as well. It was fun to celebrate the Irish in Germany.  

Meredith and her boyfriend, Julius at a beer hall.  The last night in Munich we met my friend Christina who was a fellow intern at the UNICTR in Tanzania with me.  I also needed to drink some German beer and taste some more traditional German food before leaving.  It was a fun night of drinking, eating, and singing (yes, our German friends sand the US National Anthem with Meredith).  It was a great night with great people. 

Baby beer?  Haha, I don't think it was actually beer, but it just looked hilarious. 

Reunited with my pal Christian.  Christian was one of my closest friends at the UNICTR.  It was wonderful spending time with him in his country.  He always told us how amazing German beer was in comparison with Tanzanian beer.  So I was glad to finally get to share a drink with Christian.  It was fun to end my last night with all my German friends!

Too much?  Maybe.....

Last day in Germany.  One last stop, visiting the markets and buying last minute souvenirs. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Germany.  It is one of my favorite countries now.  I got to see so many parts of Germany, that were so different and unique.  It's a place of great beauty and powerful history.  I hope to return some day!  And thanks Meredith (and Julius) for showing me around, sharing your home, and allowing me to spend some time in your German life!