Bavaria Christmas Markets: Wrap up

 So I took a day off to recover from the trip back.  I don't know what possessed me to book a flight with 2 layovers...no 2 INTERNATIONAL layovers.  Coming from the EU I had to go through customs at Heathrow and again when I landed in Chicago.  Ugh.

What made it worse was the delays.  First, I got to Munich airport a full 4 hours early.  However, they didn't start manning the check-in desk until 3 hours before the flight...and then only one desk and there were a lot of priority check ins.  So the rest of us didn't start getting checked in until 2 hours before boarding.  We still had to go through security and passport control.  I didn't get much of a chance to do any duty free shopping in Munich.

Then, we were a bit late to London.  Luckily, security had upgraded in the last two weeks and we went through much faster.  I had also checked the bulk of my luggage, so that made things faster too.  Still, not much time for Duty-Free and no Crunchies to be found.  So, I grabbed a few more Malteasers.

I decided to take full advantage of my perks in premium economy and got a beer instead of my regular water

It was good.  A good amount of hoppy with citrus notes.  Not too heavy, so perfect for a flight.  Of course, the same snack was back from the flight from the U.S.

Our cute little gingerbread men.  This time I didn't stack them so you can really see how cute they are.

The flight was uneventful.  I didn't sleep and watched 3 and a half movies.  I would have watched 4 if my movie screen hadn't frozen up after the first pre-arrival pilot announcement. 

We were late leaving Heathrow, which means that we were late arriving in Chicago. I originally had a 2 hour layover, which was shortened to an hour and a half.  Customs wasn't too bad, but it took them forever to unload the luggage.  By the time I got it, it was too late to re-check at the usual place for connecting flights, I had to go up to arrivals and check it there.  Then, through security...and change my terminal.   I was several gates away when I heard the announcement for last call for boarding on my flight.   I was already hustling...so I had to run.  You know I can't run...

I barely made the gate, luckily my seat was closer to the front of the plane and on the aisle.  I got settled and waited for the sweat to dry.  I actually napped on the 2 hour flight.

I got to Austin, picked up my luggage, and went to the Uber pick up.  Found out that my ride was reserved at the wrong terminal...no idea how I did that.  I was tired, my legs hurt from the rushing around and I ended up getting turned around with the Uber pickup.  I finally found my ride, and got home.  I didn't bother to unpack, but I showered and got to sleep at almost 3am. 

I slept almost 12 hours.  I woke up in pain.  My right calf was sore from the constant cramping and, all of a sudden, my right thigh started to randomly spasm.  I figured that it was from a combination of overuse and dehydration.  I set out to rehydrate.  I actually didn't eat much yesterday.

I feel much better today.  Got up relatively early and have been unpacking and going through my photos.  Finally wrapping this up.  Hope you enjoyed!

Here is the full album of photos 

Bavaria Christmas Markets: Day 14 Saving the Best for Last

 

Bavaria Christmas Markets: Day 13 Back to Munich

 I started out the day in Augsburgh.  The hotel, which was very local German and not a chain, had a breakfast buffet included.  Checkout was noon, so the only rush I was in was to get to the buffet before they shut it down.  I made it with plenty of time to spare.  The hotel was right next door to the Rathshouse (city hall) and I saw this bit of graffiti out the window as I was eating.  

No idea if it's the real deal, but it's still pretty cool

I finished eating, went back to my room and gathered up my belongings well before check out time.  I decided to head to the train station early so that I could take my time.  Still got a cramp in my leg though. 

Temperatures had taken a drastic turn for the colder, so the train station was FREEZING.  I tried to stay on the platform, but gave up after about 20 minutes.  I did find a seat in the station, but it wasn't much warmer.  

The train ended up being about 10 minutes late, mostly because the trains ahead of it were late.  I got on the train to find someone already in my reserved seat.  I would have booted her out, but there was a seat across the aisle available, so it wasn't worth it.  Still, it was clearly a reserved seat, I could see it on the sign. 

Anyway, got to Munich, got to the hotel, got checked back in.  The lady at the desk recognized me from the day before and gave me a nicer room.  I'm up on the 4th floor overlooking the street...still construction, so no real view...but I've got a bigger room with a bigger window. 

Got my bag from storage and decided to do laundry.  It was an adventure as I thought I didn't understand the instructions and got someone to help.  It ended up that the power was switched off and the machine was full of money.  It wouldn't take mine as it was full of coins.   Finally got it sorted and sat around for 2 hours as I washed and dried.  Cost me 6 Euro to do 1 load.  

Anyway, I was kind of hungry so I thought I'd check out another Christmas Market.  I decided on the BIG one that happens at the same place that Oktoberfest takes place...Tollwood Christmas Market.  I set out and found it is actually closer than Marienplatz.  

This market was very different than any others I'd been to.  It wasn't your traditional little matching booth market with mostly Christmas themed stalls.  This one was more modern and had indoor areas as well.  It had more of a county fair atmosphere...with gluhwein.

I stumbled upon this ice sculpture of an owl...that was pretty melted.

This was funny.  You could pay to peddle a bicycle that powered a record player and listen to your favorite song.  This guy had picked some Rolling Stones...

One of the MANY gluhwein stalls.  I actually bought gluhwein here and forfeited the deposit on the mug.  It isn't Christmassy at all, It's cobalt blue in the shape of a mini beer stein with that logo.  Very few stalls had actual "collectible" mugs.  

One of the two big trees...this one made of disco balls.

This is another stall selling adult beverages.

Some lanterns hanging over the crowd

There were 4 indoor areas that I remember seeing.  Two were full of merchandise stalls from all over the world.  The other two were full of food stalls.  The Pad Thai looked so good, I had to opt for non-German food.  And it was tasty.  I actually found a place at a table to eat. It was all long tables with benches that you shared.

Guess what this stall was selling...

This is a disco pegasus-unicorn.  I don't know why...but it was shiny.

I had two mugs of gluhwein, this is the first one and it was red.  When I went to the other place, I decided to go with white for a change.  It was sweeter and not as spiced.  I like red better.

A German "Pizzahutt" that sells gluhwein.

Back at the disco ball tree

And the lanterns from the other side...

I'd had enough gluhwein and my back was starting to hurt, so it was time to head back.  The scene behind me as I was leaving...

One of the tents where the indoor stuff was.  There were projections on all of the tent tops.  There is an upcoming election here.

Walked past this on the way back, and had to take a picture.

I'm going to try to hit two more markets tomorrow...the Medieval one and the Pink Market (LGBTQ), as well as try to record the Glockenspeil and buy a cuckoo clock.  We'll see....

Bavaria Christmas Markets: Day 12 Augsburgh