Day 10 - Munich - City Walking Tour - Dachau - Munich

After arriving in Munich very late the previous evening and checking into a backpackers in the central city we slept soundly despite the noise from the nightclub atmosphere at the bar in the foyer. There were a few hungover people at breakfast the next morning - I guess they went on the beer house tour. We decided to joina free walking tour of the city. We met our guide Matt, from California and currently studying German History in Munich. Hoping to become a Professor on the subject. Matt knew his topic well and was very entertaining so our group tipped him well at the end. The original party animal!!!!!!? A true representation of German culture. The religious part (note Monk Clothing) - The Historic part (founder Henry the Lion - Lion getit) - The alcohol part (the Beer). Funny Story - Monks who were the original founders of the city brewed beer - they never sold it, only drank it - They created a rule limiting Monks to 5 L of 15% alcohol beer per day - another stat the current German drinks 1.5 L of 5% alcohol beer per day ( Soft Option)

Due to the cold, i've been having alot of hot chocolates. According to Andrew's Heisse Schokolade tour of Europe Voting Polls 2007, Weorner's rates the best. Note the cup of real melted chocolate you add to the hot milk.

New town hall in Munich city - the lovely glockenspiel plays a Mozart piece and the characters come alive.

Bavaria and Switzerland have a little joust - i think you can guess who wins! The Coopers (who make the beer barrels) on the second level do a little dance to let all the people know it is safe to come back out and drink at the beer halls after the plague had been through.

Munich's people are very proud of their cathedral especially since it was Pope Ratzinger's previous church.

Steins behind lock and key for the regular drinkers at the Hopfbrauhaus. Not sure what the criteria is to have your own stein and key but maybe you can find out for us Didi.

An outside shot of the Hopfbrauhaus. The room with the curved window was the site of a few meetings Hitler held to rally for members of the Nazi party. In the afternoon we went to Dachau, just a few kilometres outside Munich to the site of the concentration camp for 12 years. The words on the gate translate to "hard work will set you free". This wasn't true for thousands. Very moving place.

Crematorium inside Dachau. Also saw gas chambers and waiting area where people thought they were going into shower areas. Sleeping cots in living quarters. They were actualy three levels and very short in length.

Inmates were tortured if the beds were not made perfectly.