Day 24

            We got up a bit earlier this morning – breakfast was at 7:00 a.m.  Paul and Barb had to catch a train to Passau.  The organ in the cathedral there is one of the largest in Europe, and they will meet the organist, listen to a recital, and perhaps get a chance to play it.  Those who might want to look at this monster can Google Passau Dom Orgel.

            Dea and I left shortly after they did.  We had talked about stopping in Augsburg, since it is on the way to Munich.  We had been in Augsburg five years ago and enjoyed it.  The GPS got us to the edge of the Zentrum (center city) but didn’t help us find a parking place or tell us how to get to the wonderful places we wanted to see.  Plus, the GPS doesn’t know about all the road construction going in on Augsburg.  After driving around for nearly an hour, we gave up and headed for Munich.

            The GPS got us to our hotel in good shape.  It’s an expensive hotel, and certainly not the highest quality (a bit shabby and noisy, but it is very close to the main attractions we want to see.  We are told that it is an easy walk to the Hofbrauhaus, where we want to go for supper tonight, and tomorrow we can see ”old stuff” to our hearts content.

            We took a bit of rest time in the afternoon, and then headed off to explore the “zentrum” of Munich.  Our goal was the Hofbrauhaus.  We had been there for supper and the show five years ago, and really enjoyed it.  When we found it, we were told that reservations were full for both tonight and tomorrow night, but we could show up at 6 and see if they could squeeze us in.  We went exploring again.

            We stopped at the Dom St. Peter, and were effectively shut out – told we couldn’t walk around the church, couldn’t take any pictures, etc.  So we left.  We discovered that we were only a block from the Rathaus, where there is a marvelous glockenspiel.  We had seen this five years ago, and have video of the “show” that goes along with the playing of the glockenspiel.  We weren’t there in time to see the whole show, but we heard church bells ringing so stopped to enjoy that.  I also thought I heard an organ playing.

            Dea said “No, that’s an accordion” and I replied “I know what an organ sounds like, and I know what an accordion sounds like.  This was an organ.”  It was an accordion – actually, two accordion buskars.  As a duet, the two players were playing the Bach d minor Toccata, one of the most famous organ pieces of all time.  They were marvelous!  Didn’t miss a note, and it was an exciting performance.  Then they went into a movement from one of the Bach Brandenburg Concertos, and then Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.  We stood with our mouths open.  They were SO GOOD!  I still can’t believe it!

            Then we had to head back to the Hofbrauhaus.  We were admitted right away, had supper, and stayed for the show.  In all honesty, the show was better five years ago, but we enjoyed the band anyway, playing German “oompa” music.  Such fun!  It was nice to be just the two of us in the room crowded with people from around the world.

            After 3 hours, we had had enough, so we headed back to the hotel.  After 2 Hofbrauhaus dunkel (dark) beers, we managed to find our way back to the hotel with no problem.  We are both tired, and will not set an alarm in the morning. 

            We plan to explore completely the zentrum, which includes a number of churches and the palace of the Bavarian King with all the royal treasures.  Should be fun!  Hope all is well with all of you.