Day 2 in Munich started off with an amazing breakfast that was quite American, but definitely hit the spot. Eggs, bacon, mimosas, croissants, cheese, Nutella...you name it, I ate it. We were all rocking the same clothes from the day before. Some of us, luckily, had packed an extra shirt on our carry on, however, most of our group wasn't that fortunate.
We then began our exploration around Munich, disappointed with the fact that it was cold, rainy, and windy. Throughout the entire trip, we had a rule that went something along the lines of "you must be in a group of 3 at all times...OR ELSE" scary right? Haha well, I'm Ms. Rule-Breaker a.k.a. Queen of Getting in Trouble, so I was intrigued to see how this was going to work out.
Anyways, we took off walking by all the shops because some of our group wanted to buy jackets, umbrellas, shirts etc. since we still had no luggage. Well, one of our professors decided to walk into Adidas while the 4 of us that were with him waited patiently outside, and the rest of the group left us, naturally, to go to the first sightseeing place -- St. Peter's Church. After waiting about 30 minutes on our Professor, two of the girls I was with decided To go inside right when it started raining to check on our Prof and hurry up the process. About 2 seconds later, literally, Candace and I (the only two left outside standing in the rain) were like BUMP THAT and we took off walking. Did we have a map? Nope. Did we speak German? Nope. Were we in a group of 3? Nah. Did we care to stop? Haha hell no. Our walk really wasn't that bad, and we found the church pretty easily, but getting inside was another story. We first ended up at the "servant entrance" where a German man was standing there and we literally had to use sign language to ask how to get to the main door, because somehow WE FORGOT THE MOST IMPORTANT PHRASE: Sprechen sie Englisch? Which I'm sure you guessed, means, do you speak English?
So we eventually made it to the right entrance, and began our climb up the stairs to meet up with the rest of the group and oversee Munich from the top tower. Yeah, yeah, I work out all the time stairs should be so easy right? Just a few flights and then we're there. HAHA. Too funny. 44 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS LATER, we made it to the top. Talk about having quads of the gods after that one.
We then began our exploration around Munich, disappointed with the fact that it was cold, rainy, and windy. Throughout the entire trip, we had a rule that went something along the lines of "you must be in a group of 3 at all times...OR ELSE" scary right? Haha well, I'm Ms. Rule-Breaker a.k.a. Queen of Getting in Trouble, so I was intrigued to see how this was going to work out.
Anyways, we took off walking by all the shops because some of our group wanted to buy jackets, umbrellas, shirts etc. since we still had no luggage. Well, one of our professors decided to walk into Adidas while the 4 of us that were with him waited patiently outside, and the rest of the group left us, naturally, to go to the first sightseeing place -- St. Peter's Church. After waiting about 30 minutes on our Professor, two of the girls I was with decided To go inside right when it started raining to check on our Prof and hurry up the process. About 2 seconds later, literally, Candace and I (the only two left outside standing in the rain) were like BUMP THAT and we took off walking. Did we have a map? Nope. Did we speak German? Nope. Were we in a group of 3? Nah. Did we care to stop? Haha hell no. Our walk really wasn't that bad, and we found the church pretty easily, but getting inside was another story. We first ended up at the "servant entrance" where a German man was standing there and we literally had to use sign language to ask how to get to the main door, because somehow WE FORGOT THE MOST IMPORTANT PHRASE: Sprechen sie Englisch? Which I'm sure you guessed, means, do you speak English?
So we eventually made it to the right entrance, and began our climb up the stairs to meet up with the rest of the group and oversee Munich from the top tower. Yeah, yeah, I work out all the time stairs should be so easy right? Just a few flights and then we're there. HAHA. Too funny. 44 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS LATER, we made it to the top. Talk about having quads of the gods after that one.
I oversaw the square (which was stop number 2) and most of Munich, and despite the rain, it was still gorgeous.
We finally made our way back down and met up with the group and walked to the square to make our next game plan in the rain.
Our other Prof and students finally caught up with us here and after trying to branch off in about 5 different groups, it was concluded that we would travel (as a GROUP) on the metro, to the Olympic Stadium and a nearby castle. So we made it to the metro, get on the first stop, where two girls and I, Meghan and Kenny, were planning on dipping out and ditching the rest of the group (with the professors approval of course). As we looked over and noticed the boys conspiring with the same plan as us, we beat them to it, told our Profs and hopped off the metro at some random stop -- which was totally fine. I'm always up for adventure. So we walked outside and decided to just walk wherever the wind took us. Without the use of a map, we saw so many cool things, didn't get lost, and even made it back to the town square a few hours later.
We hit up some shopping, (if you know me, then that should come as no surprise haha). Made it to the GORGEOUS English Garden. We also saw the Arc of Triumph (built after the one in Paris), and walked in the middle of the street for the heck of it, because we knew we could get away with it since we were American's. Funny story (sorry I'm diverting, but it IS absolutely necessary). So when I travel, l do this thing, where I don't tell people I'm American. I tell them I'm Mexican (because I am, I was born in Mexico), and I grew up in Texas and go to university there. This was something my group got a kick out of and would make fun of me alllllll the time for it haha. So for me to play the "American card", it was because I was doing something illegal and I knew I could get away with it.
We finally made our way back down and met up with the group and walked to the square to make our next game plan in the rain.
Our other Prof and students finally caught up with us here and after trying to branch off in about 5 different groups, it was concluded that we would travel (as a GROUP) on the metro, to the Olympic Stadium and a nearby castle. So we made it to the metro, get on the first stop, where two girls and I, Meghan and Kenny, were planning on dipping out and ditching the rest of the group (with the professors approval of course). As we looked over and noticed the boys conspiring with the same plan as us, we beat them to it, told our Profs and hopped off the metro at some random stop -- which was totally fine. I'm always up for adventure. So we walked outside and decided to just walk wherever the wind took us. Without the use of a map, we saw so many cool things, didn't get lost, and even made it back to the town square a few hours later.
We hit up some shopping, (if you know me, then that should come as no surprise haha). Made it to the GORGEOUS English Garden. We also saw the Arc of Triumph (built after the one in Paris), and walked in the middle of the street for the heck of it, because we knew we could get away with it since we were American's. Funny story (sorry I'm diverting, but it IS absolutely necessary). So when I travel, l do this thing, where I don't tell people I'm American. I tell them I'm Mexican (because I am, I was born in Mexico), and I grew up in Texas and go to university there. This was something my group got a kick out of and would make fun of me alllllll the time for it haha. So for me to play the "American card", it was because I was doing something illegal and I knew I could get away with it.
It was a great day that concluded with some pastries and hot chocolate before re-grouping at the hotel. However, the hot chocolate was not exactly what I expected. I ended up having to mix it myself, which was pretty cool, but weird at the same time.
After meeting everybody back at the hotel, they shared their misery stories and how they hated us for branching off because everybody wanted to but we beat them to the punch. So we all then decided to go have a few beers and dinner at the most famous bar in the world: The Hofbrauhaus House.
I will have you know, that I hate beer with all that I am and don't ever drink it. I'm a wine drinker. But I figured hey, I'm at the most famous bar in the world might as well try some. The waiter came, and I said "I would like a half liter of the Summer beer." And you know what his response was? "I'm sorry ma'am, we only sell liters."
My thought process: Great, a liter of beer is equivalent to about 5 American beers, which probably means I won't like it and I might end up tipsy because I haven't eaten blah blah blah blah blah.
What happened next? "I'll have a liter of the summer beer then, please." (That was me saying that in case you missed it.)
I will have you know, that I hate beer with all that I am and don't ever drink it. I'm a wine drinker. But I figured hey, I'm at the most famous bar in the world might as well try some. The waiter came, and I said "I would like a half liter of the Summer beer." And you know what his response was? "I'm sorry ma'am, we only sell liters."
My thought process: Great, a liter of beer is equivalent to about 5 American beers, which probably means I won't like it and I might end up tipsy because I haven't eaten blah blah blah blah blah.
What happened next? "I'll have a liter of the summer beer then, please." (That was me saying that in case you missed it.)
It finally arrived, and I ordered some food to help me while drinking my beer. To my great surprise, this beer was actually really really good, and I finished it with ease. I know you're all wondering, no I wasn't drunk but like I said, I was a little tipsy. But the food definitely helped with that. As for the rest of my group, I can't really quite say the same. They were all on beer number 3, 4, 5 -- meaning a shit show was waiting to happen.
A group of Aussie's (Australian's) were sitting nearby, and began to get a little out of control. Then before we knew it, they began to chant "USA. USA. USA."
About 5 other tables joined in, holding their beers in the air...and of course. What do the Americans at my table do? Stand up, some on chairs, some double fishing, and just yelling at the top of their lungs "USA. USA. USA." Until the group of Aussie's broke a glass of beer. We all settled down and had a seat, laughing about what just happened until our waiter came up with a pretty pissed off look on his face. He asked us, as well as the 5 other tables to please finish our beers and leave.
Okay let's re-cap what just happened here. Yeah, some of you may get kicked out of parties and bars or Shack all the time like it's no big deal, cool stuff (major sarcasm). HOWEVER. We, the 11 of us, managed to get kicked out of the WORLDS MOST FAMOUS BAR. Like. Wait. What?!?! Haha, that one is for the books ladies and gentlemen. The Americans strike again!
We all gathered our things and made our way back to the hotel after venturing through a few alleys/streets. Not wanting to stay out too late since we had a professional day the next morning, we said out goodnights and retired to our rooms. BUT WAIT. Where is our luggage at this point?! Well we walk up to the front desk to get our keys and the guy says to me, "Oh, room 211? Your luggage has been delivered and is in the closet." I literally ran to the closet, open the door, and BAM all 11 bags are there. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see my luggage before. And just in time for our first professional day. (Shout out to my Mom for staying on the phone with KLM for TWO hours in order to get our bags back!! Xoxo)
The next morning, despite a few hungover faces, everyone was dressed to impress at our first meeting with BMW.
Before our presentation, we got to sit in super awesome cars and pretend that we were the coolest thing to walk this earth for a whole 5 minutes.
We were greeted by The Vice President of Communications Strategy, Corporate and Market Communications, Mr. Bill McAndrews and taken to his 2 hour presentation about the company. We then had lunch together. After we bid our goodbyes around noon, in order to make it to our next professional venue, a HR consulting agency for a majority of the Fortune 500 companies, Towers Watson.
A group of Aussie's (Australian's) were sitting nearby, and began to get a little out of control. Then before we knew it, they began to chant "USA. USA. USA."
About 5 other tables joined in, holding their beers in the air...and of course. What do the Americans at my table do? Stand up, some on chairs, some double fishing, and just yelling at the top of their lungs "USA. USA. USA." Until the group of Aussie's broke a glass of beer. We all settled down and had a seat, laughing about what just happened until our waiter came up with a pretty pissed off look on his face. He asked us, as well as the 5 other tables to please finish our beers and leave.
Okay let's re-cap what just happened here. Yeah, some of you may get kicked out of parties and bars or Shack all the time like it's no big deal, cool stuff (major sarcasm). HOWEVER. We, the 11 of us, managed to get kicked out of the WORLDS MOST FAMOUS BAR. Like. Wait. What?!?! Haha, that one is for the books ladies and gentlemen. The Americans strike again!
We all gathered our things and made our way back to the hotel after venturing through a few alleys/streets. Not wanting to stay out too late since we had a professional day the next morning, we said out goodnights and retired to our rooms. BUT WAIT. Where is our luggage at this point?! Well we walk up to the front desk to get our keys and the guy says to me, "Oh, room 211? Your luggage has been delivered and is in the closet." I literally ran to the closet, open the door, and BAM all 11 bags are there. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see my luggage before. And just in time for our first professional day. (Shout out to my Mom for staying on the phone with KLM for TWO hours in order to get our bags back!! Xoxo)
The next morning, despite a few hungover faces, everyone was dressed to impress at our first meeting with BMW.
Before our presentation, we got to sit in super awesome cars and pretend that we were the coolest thing to walk this earth for a whole 5 minutes.
We were greeted by The Vice President of Communications Strategy, Corporate and Market Communications, Mr. Bill McAndrews and taken to his 2 hour presentation about the company. We then had lunch together. After we bid our goodbyes around noon, in order to make it to our next professional venue, a HR consulting agency for a majority of the Fortune 500 companies, Towers Watson.
We finished our meetings for the day and were anxious to get out of our professional clothes and quickly made our way back to the hotel after Towers Watson in order to make use of our last night in Munich!
Though our night didn't really lead to much adventure, it was still fun nonetheless. Germany was interesting in its own unique way. I personally, was not a huge fan of the country or of the language, but It was worth the trip. I honestly think I would have enjoyed it more, had I not been aggravated about my luggage for the first 48 hours. But hey, c'est la vie. Just by the way, that's French not German haha. If you don't know what it means, it's one of my favorite phrases "That's life."
Anyways, that was Munich in a snapshot. The Switzerland adventures come next...and I don't know if y'all are ready for that.
Until then,
Xoxo,
Ana
Anyways, that was Munich in a snapshot. The Switzerland adventures come next...and I don't know if y'all are ready for that.
Until then,
Xoxo,
Ana