Travel Throwback: Munich

When its as cold and snowy and uncomfortable outside as it is right now, I tend to reminisce about, anything really, that brings fond, warm memories back. Lately I've been thinking about a trip I took when I was 16 to Munich, Germany. It's interesting to look back on a time like that because, even though it was only 3 years ago, a lot has changed. I am definitely not the same person I was three years ago, and honestly, that's a good thing. 16 year old Karin hadn't gone through quite a bit of growing pains that she would soon do, and she didn't have as much confidence in her actions and opinions as I do now. 

Anyway, this is meant to be about Germany. I spent this "vacation" actually not on vacation, I went to Germany for six weeks, at age 16 (far too young and immature looking back on it now), working as an Au Pair for 3 young children. I would soon find out that a sixteen year old definitely should not be allowed to be in charge of 3 kids who know how to undermine authority.

Getting past the whole "tag teaming demon children" (they become a great topic of conversation if I ever need something to talk about), I had a pretty great time in Germany. I had my first taste of independence, being able to explore Munich on my own, with money I had earned (did I mention this was my first job), I got to immerse myself into a different lifestyle, and I had to be responsible for other people. These experiences are key life lessons, but for 16 year old Karin, boy was she in just a little over her head.

Overall, being in Germany for those six weeks changed my life. If you ever get the opportunity for such an experience, take it, run with it, and see where it leads you because at the end of your time wherever you go, you will be a better version of the person at the beginning.

Now onto the show:

I'd also like to mention that on the plane over, I lost my camera. So all of these photos are from a crappy samsung phone

My wonderful room also didn't have a door, so when I woke up the first day, extremely jet lagged, there were children playing 3 feet away

I'd also like to point out this car, my dream car,  a minivan covered in flower stickers

And my german cellphone, very high-tech.

 The family I stayed with were big fans of FC Bayern-Munchen as well, so I got to see them practice and play quite a few times.

Summer is prime festival season in Germany, so I got to experience a few parades and fairs during my time

I got to see the German National Women's team also beat Japan

 More Festivals,

great representation of the average german citizen

The food the family bought for lunch

Now because I was working, the parents obviously didn't want me drinking, but they did let me pose for a picture with a beer glass that is bigger than my head.

 They also have nutella ice cream in Germany, which was an added bonus

Another dream car of mine

 When I did have time to see the city of Munich, I had two major problems: 1) I got lost a lot 2) I didn't want to pay to see/ go anywhere. There were simple fixes to these problems too. First, I had a map, but I didn't want to look like a tourist, so I didn't use it and wandered amelessly through the city, which is not always a bad thing, and I was always able to figure out how to get back to the Marienplatz (pictured below) and I could get home from there. Second, Munich has a lot of Churches. A LOT OF CHURCHES. Which means, free admission to medieval and baroque architecture (which I personally love). So 16 year old Karin somehow managed to find her way around an ancient city, and not breakdown when lost. Major maturity level increase.

The Marienplatz

The Viktualienmarkt

some guy

a different guy

The camera quality of my phone then, really does not do much justice for the detail put into these buildings

A car I would actually want

I would also appreciate this one

This gate is from 1302.

I think it was good luck to touch the pig, but its also a good way to get a cold.

This is the famous church in Munich

 Where I was staying was near this lake that was the most vibrant blue I've seen in a lake. I took advantage of this lake and between bringing kids to school and picking them up, I would come here and swim or go for a walk or anything really to get through the hard parts of the day. It worked quite nicely.

Some more Munich pictures I took while trying not to look lost

I went looking for the famous river surfing wave, but this was the best I could find.

Seconds after this photo was taken, the horse moved and I had a slight heart attack.

So the only admission I did pay for was to go to the zoo. I got lost getting to and inside the zoo. I had a very difficult time finding my way out, even though I had a map. Almost cried, but didn't. Major maturity level increase.

This map is not helpful.

The family (at least the parents) I stayed with were actually pretty cool, they took me to the Austrian border to hang out in the Alps for the day. IT WAS SO PRETTY. And serene. 

I really like this picture

They really liked FC Bayern-Munchen.  

On one of my last days there, we went to Playmobil Funpark, and even though it's meant for young children, I had a pretty sweet time. 

And on our way back home, there was a pretty sweet sunset too.

And then it was time to leave my fourth story bedroom to go home (I spent six weeks going up and down 4 flights of stairs several times a day), it was a great first job and I left with a lot more life lessons under my belt than I could have ever imagined. 

This is where I fell in love with chocolate croissants. 

 I had a layover in Dusseldorf, in which I managed to cut an entire line of waiting people and be one of the first people on the plane home, which was an added bonus.

The way this trip went helped me become the person I am today. Without having the trials and tribulations that came with being an authority figure for the first time, along with stubborn children who seemingly knew my weak spots from day one, I would not be me.

Talk to you later,

-Karin xx