Deep thoughts, by ... Me

I never expected to find myself in Germany. Ever. Even after I added it to my itinerary I sort of thought, "well, if I don't make it, oh well." I never really had a desire to go there is the thing. I blame it on my own ignorance and bias against Nazis. I always just sort of thought of Germany as being what it was in my history books. But of course that was 60 years ago now. Things have changed!

So I am very very happy that I made it to Germany. Munich is wonderful, and I look forward to Berlin in a few weeks. I knew that I was foolish to think badly of Germany because of its past, but it was hard for me to look beyond it. Now I've been there and have seen for myself how beautiful it is and how friendly the people are. It's a culture that believes beer is healthy - how can I not embrace that?!

I've had a really great time in Munich, despite the hail. There's so much to see! I went to churches, gardens, museums, beer halls. I sat today at the Hofbrauhaus, the most famous beer hall in Munich, with an old German guy. It's like picnic benches, so you just pick a seat next to whoever. He was really nice, even though we couldn't communicate with each other. The only thing I truly understood was when he said "prost!" - the German word for "cheers." And we lifted our steins and drank to our understanding.
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless handheld.