Last day in Munich

Believe it or not, we didn't just drink at Oktoberfest the whole time we were in Munich. On our last day we took a quick walking tour and did our own exploring before Josh and my flight to London. 

The walking tour took us back to Marienplatz to start. This is the famous Glockenspiel - clock + play/theater. It was apparently rated the second most overrated tourist attraction in the world. I think I'd have to agree, but since I don't know which attraction is the most overrated I'll have to reserve judgement temporarily. Every hour the bells ring and a jousting battle is re-enacted in the green portion of the tower. Whatever. 

This is a Bavarian Maibaum. They are basically cultural polls depicting the local tribe or community. More interesting is the tradition of other communities sneakily stealing other communities' Maibaums. Basically, if you get away with the heist the community usually has to meet your demands (typically the demand is give us beer and a party). It seems like a pretty cool tradition that builds community relations and since the Bavarians needed to find more reasons to drink they thought up this clever one. Our guide told us of a recent Maibaum heist where 4 guys airlifted a Maibaum off one of the Alps peaks using a helicopter. Their demands were lifetime ski passes. They got the passes. 

This is a traditional beer garden underneath chestnut trees. I think our guide said this was one of the oldest beer gardens in Bavaria. 

An old church to the left here. Our guide mentioned that all of Munich was rebuilt after WWII in the format and layout as it was before the war. When the war had turned for the worst for the Nazis (and for the better for the Allies) the local people commissioned artists and architects to take detailed drawings and pictures so they could rebuild after the war. Good foresight. Better foresight would have been not starting a fucking war. 

This is Juliette. If you touch her breast you'll have a great sex life. Her breast is quite worn and shiny from multiple hands groping her. 

Statue to a former ruler Maximillian Joseph. He built the opera house behind him. It had to be rebuilt 4 separate times (primarily due to fires) since it was erected in the 1800's. 

A memorial to Germans that resisted Nazi coercion. This was the path dissenters took so they wouldn't have to salute Hitler at a memorial to fallen Nazis (memorial not pictured here since it was removed after WWII). Since the Nazis didn't like people avoiding the Hitler salute, they killed a bunch of their own citizens here. 

I don't remember what this is called. But the lions on either side of the steps were meant to illustrate two ideas. The lion with his mouth open meant the people should be able to speak openly about their government. The lion with his mouth closed represented that the people could never question or speak out against the church. 

Taking a stroll through the English Garden. 

When they built the river system of the garden, it ended up creating a recurring wave. The water comes from the Alps so surfers here have to wear wet suits. A lot of these guys were really good. 

Now on to London!