Bad Toelz

This past Easter Monday I was invited to spend the day in nearby Bad Toelz. This picture shows the view from the hotel I visited with the Alps in the distance. Here's a link to more pictures of the day:

http://picasaweb.google.com/juliewinter6/April09BadToelz?authkey=Gv1sRgCKaPz6DYwaPKPg#

Frohe Ostern!

I've never really been sure what Easter is all about for the non-religious. When the kids were little I loved decorating and hiding the eggs and filling Easter baskets with candy and fluffy yellow marshmellow chicks. But what does all that mean? Is it a celebration of spring at least?

Here in Germany, as at home, it's a chance to market and sell a lot of stuff we don't need. The add on the window of this bakery encourages people to buy chocolate bunnies, or other little treats, as gifts for friends. It says doing so will maintain the friendship.

In the U.S., you could make your friends "smeeps" to show them how much you care: http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/04/how-to-make-smeeps-smores-plus-peeps-easter-candy.html

They don't sell peeps here, so I'll just have to imagine how good these are. Happy Easter!

A Few Sights in Munich

Now that most of the administrative matters have been taken care of, it's time to get to know Munich! Today I went on an interesting walking tour called the "Third Reich Tour."

This is the inside of the "Hofbraeuhaus" where the meetings of the German Workers' Party took place and where Hitler got his start. It's a beer hall and restaurant still in use today.

The tour started at the Marienplatz, in front of this building called the new city hall. You can see the figurines that are part of the Glockenspiel way up high on the building.

This is the old city hall. It looks newer than the new city hall above because it was completely destroyed in World War II and had to be rebuilt.

There's a lot to discover here!

My Apartment

Although my apartment is small, it's actually quite roomy, and the natural light that streams in the large windows makes it seem very open. There is a main living/sleeping area equipped with a built-in bed platform and rustic shelves, a separate kitchen, an entryway, and a bathroom (luckily). The first two pictures show the kitchen, and the last two the main living area. The university and the subway station are about a ten minute walk from the apartment.

Munich--First Impressions

My first few days in Munich have been spent with administrative matters and with getting settled in my apartment. Here are a few pictures of places I've visited to get things in order.

This is where I have to register my presence in DL and obtain my work permit. It's like a labryinth inside, and after several frustrating visits, I've decided it is quite "Kafkaesque." On Monday I should have everything sorted out, and then I'll be in the system. Hopefully.

Here is a useful, not too expensive department store. It's two or three subway stops from my apartment on the famous Marienplatz.

This store with a funny sounding name to English-speaking ears is very near my apartment, and I can get all kinds of household items here. Actually, everything I need is in the neighborhood all within walking distance: grocery stores, bakeries, etc.

To show the ambiance of the area, here's a sidewalk cafe scene. It was a cool day, but that doesn't deter people from sitting outside.

And I'll sign off with a picture of these pansies taken at the nearby local market. In German they're called "Stiefmuetterchen" (little step-mothers).

Baby Sweater

Here's the sweater I just finished for Joanna's new baby. The yarn, a nubby cotton acrylic blend by Plymouth in a DK weight, came with the pattern and the buttons. The sweater is very soft and is machine washable.

More Scooters

Here are some fun pictures of Conrad and his friend Brian and their scooters on a recent outing on a beautiful (but cold) day in Seattle:

I wouldn't be surprised if there's a scooter in our garage when I get back from Germany this summer...Greg is very envious!