> Across Europe <

> Austria <

> London <

Munich

Munich Clock

Munich Bicycles

And here it is!

The mechanical clock, a huge affair in a huge building which lines one edge of a public square, shows off the walzing automatons twice a day. The tourists gather in droves to watch. We didn't because we were misled as to the actual times. But we got to speak with many enthusiastic viewers who assured us it had been magnificent. Oh well, next time.

There's a lot to see in a surprisingly small area. I expected to see only a bit of the town, but with a good map we're able too most of the center of town, skipping anything residential.

From the buildings I've already mentioned (we'll continue with several cityspace panoramas shortly) to the artwork like the gold statue on a column shown at left, Munich is a pretty city. Especially in the hot sun, it has to be said. I'm used to Germany being overcast and breezy, but today is destined to be featured in a tourist brochure.

Apologies are in order about now, especially to the residents of Munich. At this stage in a trip I'm tired, and I just wasn't taking the number of photographs that the environs deserve. I'm sure we'll return someday, and I'll do better.

There were many things we saw that we didn't photograph. A city park we toured around was large, clean, well-tended, and frequented by visitors, students, and workers. Isaac loved the birds and flowers.

Germans seem to really, really like department stores. We saw many competing offerings, multi-story buildings with a bit of everything for the harried consumer. I couldn't tell the difference between them, for the most part, but each was full in mid-day with shoppers prodding and poking the merchandise, from shoes to coats.

Munich, at least the city center and adjoining areas, are refreshingly free of cars. There were some, but the vast majority of wheeled vechicles were bicycles.

Next, the trip's end.