I arrived in Munich on a Saturday morning, leaving the train station a bit disoriented. I finally get my bearings and find the flat that I will be staying at for just one night. I met Alexander and Patrick, who live in the flat with their beautiful well-behaved dog. Their flat is gorgeous, I loved everything about the place, even the room I would be staying in. Alexander recommended some places in Munich for me to visit and gave me directions and landmarks to look for. The park sounded the most interesting to me. I set out on my personal tour of the city based on notable landmarks and getting lost.
I took the train to the old city center which was packed with tourists gazing at the glockenspiel, a mechanized clock that provides a display of automatons set to the tune of bells. The packed crowd oo'd and ah'd at the spectacle which was finely crafted and is a marvel of Medieval brilliance. The square was filled with fine luxury stores and boutiques. I moved down the street towards the large yellow building where I saw the outdoor cafe Alexander told me about and found a lovely garden and palatial structure. There was a beer garden set in an actual garden, the perfect place to sit and enjoy a drink with friends on a warm Spring day like that day. I walked around the garden and found the park.
The park was lush and green, large enough to spend hours in. I walked down some trails following a creek to a river with people in wet suits with surfboards. They set up a way to make waves one can surf on. I watched them taking turns trying to ride the wave for as long as they could, then fall off the board in the river only to get back in the queue to try again. It looked like they were having quite a bit of fun and the spectators enjoyed watching them from the river banks and bridge where the waves started. I watched and photographed them for some time, seeing their enjoyment and thrill while trying surf the waves. I walked further into the park down various trails and paths. I followed the Bavarian music and found a huge beer garden filled with jolly people drinking and families enjoying their weekend in the park. I saw many wonderful things in the park and I'm glad I spent my day in Munich at the park, watching people, enjoying the Spring weather.
My next objective was the Pinakothek Museums, but I didn't see them anywhere and no signs. I walked up and down the main boulevard, asking people for directions but no one could quite explain to me where the museum was. When I finally found the museums I was so exhausted from walking, I gave up wanting to visit the museum. I walked back to Alexander and Patrick's flat, weary and hungry. I told Alexander I was hungry and asked him if he could recommend something close by. He explained that Augustiner beer is the local beer and there are places in Bavaria called Gasthof which are like breweries where you eat, drink and socialize. I asked him if it was okay to go alone and he said of course, many people go alone into the Gasthof, you ask someone at a table if you can sit with them, talk to them and enjoy a dinner with drinks.
I found the Isator Gasthof and walked into the tiny packed bar. I suddenly felt claustrophobic and self-conscious. Everyone kind of stared at me intrigued. I looked for an open space at the tables but didn't want to sit with a group of men and the older women didn't seem to want me to sit there either. It was like being the new kid at a school, walking into a lunchroom unsure where you should sit. I felt hot and panicked, walked out of the Gasthof into the chilly air. I saw a man waiting near the Gasthof and asked him if he had been to the Gasthof. He said he had and that it was one of the oldest Gasthof in Munich with great food. He assured me that going into the Gasthof alone was fine so I decided to give it another try. I walked in the sweltering bar heated with alcoholic merriment and saw the same eyes looking at me wondering what I was going to do. I walked to the back of the bar which was only a few steps from the door and walked back out panicking once again, feeling flushed and afraid. I saw a group of young men that spoke English looking at the menu. I told them that it was really packed in there and asked them if they were going in. They walked in and I followed, feeling like I was part of a group that felt somewhat familiar, my American comrades.
I found a seat near the bar on some high tops and sat there, unsure where to sit or what to do. I found that I was facing the men's toilet and could seem them as the doors opened and closed. I could sense that the group of old men seated at the table behind me were talking about me and shaking their head, wondering why I was sitting there. The Americans left for a moment, then returned. They stood by the bar, waiting for a group of people to vacate a table. I asked one of the men if I could join them. The guy introduced himself and said I could join their group at the table. We sat at the table and introduced ourselves. There were four young American students, visiting one of them in Germany. Two of them were studying in Spain. I could feel the age difference, it felt awkward, but we tried our best to talk about our travels and our impressions of German culture. The one living in Germany had become an expert and seemed snobbish or even embarrassed to be seen with Americans. I kind of understood his perspective, feeling like an alien in another country, trying to appear inconspicuous or maybe it irritated him that I was trying to integrate into his pack, but he seemed annoyed with his friends as well.
Two German men around my age asked to sit at our table. They introduced themselves and the one that sat next to me spoke English well. His friend said the guy I was sitting next to was the CEO of a security software company. I was quite impressed and relieved to sit next to Germans that seemed interesting and more receptive to my company. They ate an appetizer followed by a substantial Bavarian dish. I enjoyed my food immensely along with my drink, feeling more relaxed and less on edge socially. The Americans paid their tab and finally left hurriedly. The Germans said they thought I was with them and I told them I had only just met them and joined them because I was nervous about going into the Gasthof alone. We talked about technology and I told the CEO about my blog. He was impressed with my photos and said he would follow the blog. We talked for a little while longer and then I said my farewell for the evening. I walked back to the flat feeling quite proud of myself for going into the Gasthof and meeting new people, something I think might be hard for anyone but especially someone with social anxiety like myself. I was pleased with how I spent the day and evening. I was ready to start a new day but also anxious about how the next day would fare. This was a part of my trip that made me feel uncertain, would my travel plans work out?