Off to the World Cup - 2006!!

Well, it was a long day, but I'm going to try to keep the story short. (We're heading out early for the train tomorrow.)

We took in the view of München from the tower on the Neue Rathaus. The haze to the south was too thick to see the Alps, but the churches and rooftops of the city were bright and clear, with the Olympiapark and the Allianz Arena off to the north. After watching the famous glockenspiel at 11:00, we climbed the stairs to the top of the tower on Peterskirche, which I think I liked even better. There was a beautiful view of die Frauenkirche, and the open-air Viktualienmarkt down below.

We walked through the church below, and then out into the Viktualienmarkt for lunch and a little ice cream. Then it was over to the Frauenkirche for a third tower, and nice views of the Peterskirche. Don't knock it, the tower climb is good for the heart and the soul! Back down in the plaza was a pretty little fountain/pool, and if you know anything about my boys, it's how much they love to play in the water! Instantly from tired to happy! We walked from there over to the English garden, and down along one of the streams flowing through the park. The water is moving at a good 5-8 knots (well, it was really moving!). Beside the "Baden Verboten" signs, the kids were riding the flume downstream, ignoring as well as possible the au natural display on the far shore. There was a kayaker in real white water (yes, it was moving that fast!) and just below the inlet dam, surfers. Ja, ernst!

Both the boys were tired and hungry as we walked back down along the Maximillianstrasse, to the Brenner Grill. This was a beautiful restaurant that Brad had included in his Munich travel project this year. We sat out in the courtyard, and thouroughly enjoyed a relaxed Italian dinner, but failed to come away with a real copy of the menu for next year's German class!

Back at the hotel, we're packed, and in to bed fairly early. Tomorrow, Frankfurt, Kaiserslautern, and the train to Paris!