Munich

Ok, think of the last day of the EX, December 24th shoppers, and the airport at the beginning of March break – all at the same time – and it will give you an idea of the crowds in Munich the last weekend of Oktoberfest. Add umbrellas – because, of course, it’s raining – and you get even a better picture!

I made my way through the Viktualmarkt to Marianplatz, the centre of town, and thought I might catch a hop-on-hop-off tour as a way of getting to know Munich. But just outside the city hall, there was a group forming beside a tour guide with a big sign saying “Free Tours of Munich.” Of course, they’re not free – generous tipping is encouraged, but it was at the right place and time, so I joined up.

We were right in front of the town-hall with its world-famous Glockenspiel. Curiously enough, the tour guides (there were three) trashed it rather thoroughly as tacky. I imagine if you’ve heard it dozens of times, it would be, but as a novelty it has some merit. The tour proceeded well, until the sky opened up, and the rain poured down. Suddenly the market (where we were at the time) was a sea of umbrellas, and about five of us couldn’t find the tour guide or the rest of the group.

With it being cold and wet, I headed to the Deutches Museum, which houses a large science and technology collection. A reproduction of Galileo’s workshop, nice collection of clocks, airplanes (including airships), musical instruments were the best parts. The clock collection featured numerous by Riefler, who apparently was from Munich. Riefler invented an escapement that improved mechanical accuracy substantially, about the best before quartz and cesium timepieces.

There was lots of interesting exhibits about Zeppelins and other airships, including engines, sections of the superstructure, and some furnishings.

This ride, for some strange reason, was in the courtyard of the museum. As it rotates, the riders can manipulate the wings to change their flight angle, or even rotate. The picture is taken from a museum window, but it was just getting ‘air-borne’ when I was leaving, so I stood well back (why would anyone stand directly underneath? Especially right after lunch??).

By that time, the sky had cleared a bit for walking around and getting a few pics. I’d forgotten how much mental energy is required to work in a foreign culture. By foreign, I mean a context in which one has no language ability. I really enjoy French and can get by quite easily; I have a smattering of Italian and Spanish (which wouldn’t stand much of a test right now). But other than about six words in German (danke being the best), I’m helpless, and it really takes more work to make the effort, even when many people here do speak English.

Oh, and by the way, many people thought that Jesus was just the King of Kings, Son of Man, and God Incarnate.  It appears that he was also a watchmaker! At least in Munich.