FotoDelray: Munich, Germany

My trip to Munich was a delicious treat of a wonderful mix of architecture, absolutely mouth-watering food, and of course the best beer in the world! No, I am not exaggerating -- sorry fans of Belgium, Ukrainian, home-brewed, or other beer. Germany is the Motherland of beer where in 1516 the Reinheitsgebot (Germany Beer Purity Law) was adopted in the Duchy of Bavaria. It still regulates this industry and forbids adding anything else but three ingredients: water, barley, and hops! So this way, dear Beer drinkers, we will stay healthy and will not be poisoned!

This trip was all about photography and, although, the weather was not the most cooperative I was able to eternalize some corners (famous and not so much) of this old and at the same time modern city. Munich is the city of dukes and electors who resided in the city and beyond its borders in beautiful residences and palaces. Here are some photos that depict Schloss Nymphenburg.

And of course I couldn’t resist and not to climb Alter Peter tower -- it is part of St. Peter’s church built in the 12^th century in the Bavarian Romanesque style with elements of Gothic and Renaissance styles. It is 92 meters. The view from this tower is just magnificent and what is also so typical for Munich, while standing there you will hear so many languages from around the world! I stopped counting at one point and concentrated more on my photography. Here are some views on the main city square – Marienplatz.

In breaks between the trips around the city, I enjoyed an absolute epitome of good home cooking – German cuisine. I think during the winter and early spring this type of food is simply perfect! It is filling, tasty, flavorful, and simple. It makes your heart melt and your brain ask for more. Portions are also very generous, in contrast to the majority of Europe. After I ordered my lunch in a very popular Augustiner Keller (that I found by accident on my way to Schloss Nymphenburg but by recommendation of my friend from Germany, Andreas) I was sitting and enjoying the parade… It was a delicious parade of dishes that were almost floating in the air with little help of servers: variations of pork (including piggy’s knuckle), beef, veal, poultry and fish, potatoes, cabbage, pretzels, and of course wonderful apple strudel….

I don’t know how many kilos I added during this trip and I really don’t care, but I ate like a queen and didn’t say “no” to the dessert. Germany is not just a place for great beer but also absolutely scrumptious baked goodies! OK, I have to finish this section because I am getting really hungry now and I feel like my blog is more of a restaurant review than is it about photography :-)

Just one more line about food. Of course I could not forget mentioning German sausages… oh, meat lovers (Maya, I know you know what I am talking about here) would do the same – go to the local market and see it for yourself! Local vendors in small cute shops that are covered with kilometers of sausages of various color, size and type of meat are inviting to the shop for a taste. And even piggy’s knuckles don’t look that scary once you tried them and know the taste!

And Vadym and I couldn’t resist visiting one of the most famous beer places in the center of the city – Hofbrauhaus! It was Friday night and it looks like it is a big tradition among locals to wear traditional costumers. And of course you have beer hall full of people who sit all together and drink, drink, drink, eat occasionally, and sing songs!