One of the most “tourist” activities we participated in during our trip to Munich, Germany was touring the Residenz Museum. And I think it was absolutely worth seeing. Incredible. Another place that sparked my love for architecture and design. The large palace was constructed for the monarchs of the House of Wittelsbach. With over 130 rooms, the halls never seemed to have an end. Each room grander than the last. Even after spending a few hours inside, I know we still missed a few rooms. Of the rooms we did see, however, the detail work was spectacular. There were gold designs, felt wallpaper, murals on ceilings, and so much more, each room unique. Many rooms were destroyed in the war but were reconstructed to look just as they had prior. The layout and design was something that can only be expressed through visiting, but pictures, I find, do better than words.

The famous beer hall of Munich, Germany. Founded in 1589, Hofbräuhaus has an average of approximately 30,000 guests per day. And for good reason.

I really enjoy writing these blog posts because it gives me reason to go back through the pictures I took in Germany and causes the memories to rush back. I wanted, this week, to share some of my favorite pictures I took in the streets of Munich.

Maybe it’s just my small town, but I rarely see bikers around at home. I’d see a maximum of three on a good day. In going to Germany, I was shocked by the vast number of bikers and bikes lining the streets. I’d go so far as to guess there were at least four bikes for every car in the city. Maybe that explains the generally unfit stereotype that surrounds Americans – we should all take up biking.

It’s been nearly a month since the move and I don’t think I have ever been happier. It takes time, for some it is longer than others, but in my experience halfway through the third week something clicked and everything started to make sense. Not that I don’t miss home and not like I have any clue what I will be studying or what my career path will be or have any plan whatsoever but it still makes sense. I am here. I am meeting new people. I am exiting my comfort zone. I am trying new things and learning more and more everyday both in academics and in life in general. It just feels right. And it is changing me. 

My favorite architectural find in the city, however, was the churches. Every church was open for the public to step in and admire and with each stop we made, it seemed to get better. 

The most memorable church of the trip, one of the most memorable places overall of the trip, had to be Asamkirche (Asam’s Church). I cannot put into words how incredible it was. Pictures will never do it justice. The vast amount of statutes, figures, murals, gold, and white, and light. And the detail in every small aspect of the church. We stood, with jaws dropped, taking it all in for probably twenty minutes and still probably missed out on seeing a lot of different parts.