(It’s Monday, and we are back in Savannah. For the first time in several days, I have a reliable internet link. Here is a posting from Friday. I’ll try to post the trip’s final days later this evening.)
For Friday, April 8
In my entire life, I probably haven’t spent five minutes thinking about Luxembourg. Now I’ve spent the night there.
If I had thought about it, I probably would have envisioned Luxembourg as a set of bucolic, rural villages with lots of haystacks, ox-driven carts and buxom milkmaids in apron dresses. Not the case.
Luxembourg, at least Luxemborg City, is a bustling urban-commercial center, with serious central city traffic issues.
The view from our hotel window in Luxembourg City
Our hotel was right across the street from the train station.
Luxembourg City train station from our hotel window
Just getting the bus loaded with luggage and people was a challenge this morning.
Our only history-related stop today was at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. It’s most famous resident is General George Patton.
George Patton's grave
Then we got back on the bus for the long haul to Munich.
We arrived in Munich in the early evening. We got settled into our rooms and Dan, Birdie, Ron and I took off to the central part of the city. Our hotel is nice enough, but it looks like the neighborhood around it has gone downhill in recent years.
The Drei Lowen (Two Lions) Hotel in on Schillerstrasse in Munich
We are only a block or two from the main train station, but our hotel is surrounded by strip clubs and mid-eastern gold buyers/sellers. Not the kind of place you go walking alone at night.
Somewhat surprisingly, within a couple of blocks, we were out of the rough section and into a wide pedestrian mall leading to the Marienplatz at the center of town.
Part of Munich's central city area.
Munich's City Hall with a Glockenspiel. We did not see it perform.
We were all impressed with central Munich. The pedestrian malls, surrounded by historic buildings were great. Even after dinner, at around 1030 pm, it was hopping.
A string quartet (plus flute) playing late at night on the Munich pedestrian mall
We did some final souvenir/gift shopping and headed to a beer hall recommended by the hotel desk clerk.
We had a good dinner. We all had the same thing – a sausage sampler with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes…and of course, beer.
Birdie, Dan, Ron and Poolman
Bavarian sausage, etc.
We did have a little trouble with Birdie, who insisted in playing with his food and making “food sculptures.” It was sausage; use your imagination.
Tomorrow, we are off to Dachau and Berchtesgaden.
Another Beautiful Day in Paradise! 