Munchen

OK, so one of the reasons for choosing the hotel was that it advertised wifi and implied free access. Not only was it pay as you go the provider's site wouldn't let you pay either through the netbook or the phone. As I didn't like the look of the local (but "foreign owned")  internet cafes I decided that you could cope without me for a while - though did feel strangely disconnected. Time for a philosophical reflection on our dependence on instant electronic communication. May be not.

Anyway really like Munich. The taxi driver coming in from the airport said that people call it Germany's biggest village and it certainly felt like that though round my hotel more like a village on the outskirts of Istanbul - 26% of the popn in Munich is non-german.

Really easy place to walk around just be aware of cars trams and bikes! Some impressive facades around courtesy of the former kings of Bavaria. - Mad Ludwig and  the other Wittelsbachs. This afternoon after my meeting I wandered into the Residenz (former palace) for a look and emerged two hours later after a whistle stop tour. It's vast. Many opportunities for Frodo but few taken as many Rhine maidens on duty who would have had him in custody in a flash! You were allowed to take photos but without a flash so many taken but few will do justice to the diamonds and gold.

Munich also something of a shoppers paradise but expensive. According to my taxi driver its the safest big city in Germany but the most expensive. Some stunning shops! Saw an absolutely fabulous tie shop - great array of wonderful colours. Sadly my camera battery had died shortly before finding it so cannot impress you with a photo. So bought a sample instead!

Had a very positive and worthwhile meeting.

Good flight to Berlin tho a little surprised that a non-German speaker was put by the emergency exit. Late leaving, late arriving. Very un-Germanic.

Settled into the apartment. School visit tomorrow morning. Presentation and meeting at another school in the afternoon.