A week in Munich
Trip Start
May 07, 2007
1
7
10
Trip End
May 31, 2007
Where I stayed
Munich, Germany
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
At the train station to Munich I had a few hours to collect myself and wander around on my own, after figuring out how to use the luggage holds and the mystery that is European "pay as you go" restrooms. It could have easily turned into an episode of Mr. Bean but I found the bookstore and kept busy flipping through the unintelligible pages of text and catching up on celebrity gossip since it was the only thing in English. I did end up meeting a young fellow on his way to what sounded like Amsterdam; he actually mistook me for a young actress and was very polite even after the disappointment of his mistake. Even though I should have went along with it, maybe I could have gotten a free meal or some help with my baggage, instead I got an interesting conversation and someone to laugh at the mishaps of my previous adventures.
I boarded the train to Munich and ended up being surrounded by a comedy of people. There were the little old German women sitting around me, the mother and daughter from Florida behind me, the students from Georgia sitting scattered across the car. It was very entertaining if anything, since the students were discussing their class trip and I noticed immediately everything they went through I just went through on my trip especially the gossip and the drama that comes with living with people for two weeks. I doubt they even knew I spoke English since they were being very loud of their problems and personal vices. Of course I had to introduce myself right before the train stopped, im sure they were more than embarrassed but I did learn that they were visiting the same places I had already been. I gave them some advice and told them that as soon as you leave your group you'll look back on how ridiculous all the drama is and to just have a good time. I also had some great conversations with the German women and the women behind me from Florida. Everyone had stories to tell and despite the language barrier I learned a little bit more about life and found out that these moments on the train were more than just about traveling into a new city but venturing into a new chapter in my life.
Arriving in Munich I made my way through the crowded train station and into the crowd outside, the arrival of rain was lurking ominously over the map in my hand to the hotel. I decided to walk the half-mile through unknown streets, past discount DVD stores, strip clubs and what seemed to be a flea market that looked as if everything included generic batteries. I knew I had to be in the Turkish district, the only thing greasier than the kebob stands were the looks from the men standing outside their shops as I roll by with my luggage through the rain. I was on a mission and fear at this point was not an option, the hotel lobby was my goal and I was going to get there if I had to carry my luggage on my back. I was never happier to see a sign at the end of a lonely street that said Tryp Munchen... this was my hotel, I barreled into the front doors soaking wet with my luggage. I did a victory dance, I didn't think anyone was watching but then another American traveler that was sitting in the lobby approached me. He asked me out for drinks later but at this point all I wanted to do is climb into a bathtub and live there for a while, plus I was waiting the arrival of Jon. He was to meet me here soon to start his journey into the world I had known for weeks already. I don't know he managed to get over the jet lag and continue on the day
