Kaiser Wilhelm Gedachtniskirche

Frodo Experiences German Culture #2

Well sadly Frodo wasn't there. He had stayed at home - i.e. been forgotten - oops! Any way he would have been smaller that the piece of pig - smoked and boiled. I didn't order or eat it. the sausages were mine! A balanced meal!

Seen in Berlin

Frodo Experiences German Culture #1

Which One Should I Buy?

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.

En Route to Germany

As I’m writing this we’re flying along the south coast of England having taken off from Heathrow (nearly an hour late Lufthansa) and flown just to the south of the Thames. Gave some great views of London but does make me wonder if they are still using flight plans from a previous era!?

Yesterday – last day in England. Slowish start. Headed over to Marylebone High Street for lunch. Good English breakfast. Then walked down to Regent Street and visited selected retail facilities. It seems that not only are narrower ties coming back but so are knitted ones. A small step made towards updating the collection. Also Hamleys – so many choices – so little bag room – nothing bought!

Then over to the V&A and spent a couple hours in the medieval / renaissance art and gold/silver galleries. Some seriously amazing stuff. The pre-reformation church may have been corrupt, venal and everything else but it certainly sponsored some incredible art and craftsmanship. Certainly more than J Calvin et al.

Then a domestic evening doing the ironing and packing.

Early start this morning. Very efficient getting a cab on Sare’s corner and then straight onto the Heathrow Express at Paddington. Shame about the delay! Anyhow on the way now. Of course will have to wait til Munich to publish this. According to the inflight magazine by the end of 2011 all Lufthansa long haul flights will be equipped with the facility for internet access. Interesting.

Been to the Big House

H.M. was delighted to see us!

A totally amazing experience. Well worth doing. 19 state rooms and special displays. Some great art on display.

After BP went to Westminster Abbey. Still great despite the throngs. Managed some quiet time with Elizabeth I.

Now having a wee rest ahead of going to the last night of Hair.

Love this town!