GERMANY: Deutschbag in Deutschland

The gods of alcohol often entertain themselves at my expense (e.g. that horrid night I blew chunks in Times Square) but sometimes they throw me a bone. Waking up out of a massive alcoholic stupor usually requires a bucket of ice water but I successfully rise out of bed from all the Oktoberfest mayhem. Still tired and hungry though, I race to the hotel’s substandard buffet table, devour breakfast ala Kristie Alley and pack up for a walking tour of Munich. This city is the heart and soul of Bavaria and I dare not depart without at least checking out some of the sights of this charming beer quaffing and sausage eating epicenter.

We haul our collective asses out of our hotel which was right smack in the Olympic village (across from the BMW headquarters), race to Munich’s Central train station, conveniently drop our bags into station lockers and prepare to do a walking tour around Munich.

The Marienplatz or main square was the usual starting point. The group was aided by a San Diegan guide, who like most of young Yankee tour guides, voluntarily transplanted into Europe to “find himself” and exudes all the makings of a "trust fund douche." These hapless dolts do these tour gigs to earn an extra buck.

Dominating the main square is the neo-Gothic New Town Hall and the Cubao COD-inspired Glockenspiel (amusing moving figurines displayed atop the town hall). The next stop was the imposing landmark church of Frauenkirche, which incidentally was the current Pope’s former spiritual stomping ground. (Yes, that German pope who bears a startling resemblance to Emperor Palpatine).

During the 2 hour tour, we marvel at old and new town halls, visit churches, markets and Hitler’s favorite theatre. If you get past the fact that Munich was the site of Kristallnacht Jewish massacres and a vicious Nazi stronghold, it’s a charming town, really.

After grabbing a late, insipid and expensive lunch at the Kaufingerstrasse shopping street, we head back to Central Station for the afternoon train to Austria where more Euro shenanigans await.