Two random things I have learned about living in Munich

Typical oktoberfest scene!

I left Phuket in 2013 to move to Munich, Germany. However with my job seeing me travel around, and my husband's job seeing us live a lot in African countries, I have not really had the solid opportunity to enjoy Munich and to know it as the great city everyone has told me it is.

Of course I have done Oktoberfest. Let's just say what happens at Oktoberfest, stays at Oktoberfest! I have done the sights of Nymphenburg Palace (which by the way is very much worth a visit and is set in the most beautiful expanse of garden right on the outskirts of central Munich) and Neuschwanstein (which again is fascinating not only as the product of the crazy Ludwig II of Bavaria but also as the inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella Palace). But after almost two years of on-off living in Munich, it is only the last couple of months I feel I have really discovered what it is to live in Munich. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I may review my opinion as Winter draws in, but Munich (in the Summer) is awesome!

My new discoveries:

Out for a run - looking over the mountains

1) Mountains - yes, I always knew that Munich is located just minutes from the mountains and particularly popular with those who ski in the winter or hike in the summer months, but wow! I finally had reason to get out of the city and into the country because I needed some serious hills for my run training. After a bit of research I found Taubenberg. To link you to it, I can only suggest you visit the website of the Guesthouse, which will come in useful to quench your thirst after all that running, walking or hiking! At the high points of this 'small' mountain are the most breath-taking views and walking/running through the woodland to reach the top is so calming and soothing on the soul. (Sounds cheesy but honestly, it is lovely). Very popular with ramblers, hikers, mountain-bikers and runners (well me running at least because I didn't actually see anybody else crazy enough to run!). I found running routes on mapmyrun and runkeeper but be careful because some routes are out of date and the first time I attempted this I got lost waist-deep on a forest path that was not even walk-able, never mind something to run on!

A forest path that I could run along!

2) Munich really does have culture - again yes, I already knew this. However the open-air cinemas are mainly screened in German and I never had anybody here to accompany me while locals seem to arrive at these places in their droves, and seem to know exactly what to do! I still haven't been. The opera is a similar thing; I'm not going to rock up on my own. To get tickets without booking way in advance is impossible so again, I still haven't been. Then, I was in Vienna a few weeks ago and culture just seemed to jump out of every minute corner of the city. Vienna was a living, breathing example of a cultural capital of the World! I was literally stumbling across open-air cinemas/bars/operas/art galleries; all at the same time, in one place, and you would totally fit in alone there without feeling odd. Vienna didn't offer culture for Austrians; it offered culture for all and delighted in the presence of anybody who wanted to appreciate it. It was enlightening and I felt I lacked this feeling about Munich even though Bavarians seem to think they have this kind of thing totally sorted! 

But this comparison is unfair to Munich. Munich-dwellers don't make it altogether welcoming and obvious, or easy for that matter, but go in search and thou shalt find. Munich does have culture. If you class it as 'culture', which I do - I mean, beer culture is an actual thing - then beer gardens. I don't know so many people in Munich, but even acquaintances are suggesting a meet-up in the Beer Gardens through the Summer months. Awesome!

Cava tasting evening - Baaderstrasse 32

Then I became more active in my discovery of Munich via my Internations membership. In the last month I have discovered wine/cava tasting (see my next blog post). I have found dragon boating and sailing, which is of interest to me since I used to be an active member of the Dragonboat Club in Phuket (in my former life). I have also found various other meet-ups, cycle rides, groups and dinner events that I would love to join but there are only so many hours in a day! In essence, Munich is great as a tourist but it has a lot to offer its inhabitants too!

Live music at Kulturstrand August 2015

The ultimate highlight that really struck me was when I stepped out of Müller´sches Volksbad after an afternoon swimming session and heard some fantastic live music floating across the air from the other side of the river. They sounded fantastic and I had to find out more. In fact there was a live band, a bar/seating area set up, whole families and people of all ages enjoying the music that was just there. Next to the river. For seemingly no reason. Except for, why not? 

Brilliant. I had finally found Munich's culture slapping me in the face like Vienna's did. This was great. This is what people had been telling me about.