Munich

Munich is a rich and satisfied place; full of successful industries, art galleries, museums, restaurants, shoe shops, buskers, trams, busses, underground trains, and a lot of dog dirt. Even though it is unacceptable in Munich to drop litter in the street, the same cannot be said for what the citizens' dogs leaves behind. It is a disgrace.

Amore by Jeff Koons, 1988, part of the Banality series; at Museum Brandhorst.

This year the end of Carnival is much later in the year, on 8th March. Thus in the middle of February, Munich has nothing very special to offer, apart from the regular attractions.

Maxvorstadt, worse for wear after 1945. 

Bearing in mind this state of the city, a lot had happened by 1972, when the Olympic Summer Games were hosted here. An exhibition "Zukunft findet Stadt" examined the development of the town, its architecture, its reconstruction and expansion in the 20th century. 

An extensive network of fast trains was dug underneath the town.

The trend continues. They are still building more underground tunnels. I can even reach the airport in half an hour by fast public transport, without changing trains. 

Childhood memories.

The phone box (used to be yellow and properly enclosed) the post box and the bubble gum dispenser. The colour scheme is not as neat anymore since Deutsche Telecom and Deutsche Post became separate entities.

I chanced upon a lovely concert, Il concerto barocco, which was expertly performed by three soloists on recorder, zither and harpsichord. St. Johannes Evangelist was the venue, a fairly cold, airy and modern church; one which I traditionally paid a visit to after having received my end-of-year report cards.

Museum Brandhorst - lovely building;
not so sure about the exhibits.

Aumüller bakery,  just behind Isartor.

I sampled the lot: rolls and pretzels, cream cakes and tarts. Aumüller is a new bakery for me, and makes a welcome change to the standardised fare from Müller and Rischart bakeries.

Müller'sches Volksbad near Isartor.

The historic baths from 1901, which survived the war. Two swimming pools - a long one for gentlemen, and a shorter, warmer one for ladies - as well as over 80 bath tubs were provided for Munich's citizens, at a time when private bathrooms in houses were not yet standard.

A building site - formerly Karstadt am Dom.

Situated in Neuhauser Straße, opposite St. Michael church, this plot of land was already documented in 1570. The buildings on it changed with the times, the one being pulled down right now was erected after the war. This place is in the heart of the pedestrian zone. They manage to dismantle it without much dust and cart away the debris on lorries, through the tight streets of the old town. The gap is going to be filled with the new "Joseph-Pschorr-Haus", complete with solar panels and a green roof.

OEZ - the shopping paradise of my youth.

Back when I was a frequent visitor to the OEZ, they did not yet have these fun fountains. I see them all over Germany now. They must available in some catalogue - but they remain fun with their elongated jets of water.

Water - there is plenty of it in Munich. The river Isar, the fountains, the swimming baths. One nearby pool is a must during every visit: the painfully dear Therme Erding. However, this is luxury for the people, and there is no shortage of visitors willing to part with Euro 25 for one day at the spa.