Christmas Eve and New Year's Day in Munich

This year for Christmas break we did something we've never done before: we took a ski vacation. Now you're thinking, but you skied all the time in Colorado. Sure, but that was just what we did. It was just life. This time, it was an adventure to a new part of the world for us.

We were fortunate enough to have a little bit of time in Munich before and after our trip to the mountains, and we got to experience a pretty good feel of the city. Fortunately, too, we had a tour guide. While in Ecuador, Tim volunteered for an overseas vote organization which just happens to be based in Munich and run by two expat women. The woman he worked with the most, but whom he had never met, Marina, offered to meet us Christmas Eve and show us around. She did that and so much more (including finding our hotel) and we were so grateful to have her there the first day. We were really able to maximize our time on the flip-side because of her as well. Thank you, Marina!

We had to smooch under the mistletoe!

My one chore in Munich was to trek over to the Patagonia store so they could repair or replace my down sweater. They replaced it, of course, and we were off to see the city.

Most street vendors in the city work this way--you get a token, pay a little extra up front so you can drink out of glass or ceramic, then you take back the mug and token and get your money back. Deposit system--it's great. Really cuts down on garbage. These were our mugs for "glühwein," my new favorite thing. It's hot, mulled wine and all the restaurants, bars, and what-not have it. It really became a staple for me this vacation.

The only major Christmas market still open on the 24th was the one in the city center. It was still pretty packed with last minute shoppers and tourists. It was all like Christmas overload and I must admit, I loved it.

After a serious walking and underground transit tour, we settled into one of the beer-houses along the pedestrian area. We ate lots of sausage, potato, and pork roast (a recurring theme for this vacation) and had plenty of these:

After our awesome lunch, Marina helped us figure out the train situation, and we were off to the Alps after a fabulous introduction to German culture!

On our way back from Austria, we had one night to spend again in Munich. Now, there's really only one thing open in Munich on New Year's day: beer-houses! So we embarked on a do-it-yourself beer tour.

Happy New Year!