Monk & Bavarian Style

Today was a leisurely day with our first driving destination to Andechs, home of a very old monastery and some of the best barley pop. The small town seemed to be mostly a rural farming community about two miles from a large lake. The church was built on the highest hill of the town, and by the time we arrived the visitors parking lot was almost half full. We walked up to the church and explored the exterior and a couple of the adjoining buildings. Then we ventured into the small church and were totally amazed at the decor. Our thoughts were geared toward modest since it was originally a monastery. Elegant paintings and a massive gold alter. Stopped to say a prayer and thank God Almighty for the beauty of His work. It seems like most of the churches we've visited have been a true work of art. A venture into the religious side of the souvenir store was next and we saw several rosaries and crosses and all kinds of history information the church. A couple of purchases later and it was time to eat. As I mentioned last night the menu selection was already decided...ham hock, sauerkraut and a dunkel beer. We ordered one hock and it could have easily fed four! Oh, it was so tasty, yes all of it. Our son Jake asked us to get him a special brew from here, so after wrangling the language barrier we convinced the cashier to allow us to switch the variety pack with only one flavor. However, the brewmeister wasn't as keen on the purchase, but after a brief scowl and a huff we got our take away as ordered. Next destination, Munich...and it involved a brief stint on the A95, an autobahn. Laura was thrilled to be driving and only let one Porsche pass! While Google provides driving directions, they don't always work when the street you are seeking has several name changes. Needless to say, I pulled out the map app on the old iPhone and followed the blue route. No hitches to hotel destination. Since we've been gone over a week, we took some of he afternoon to do some laundry. We all managed to pack for the is trip with one carry-on suitcase and one small pack. So, a time out for laundry is a must, thus one of the reasons we chose our hotel. They offered self-service laundry right in the hotel. In fact we are completing a second load now, and I hope some other guest doesn't need jeans and shorts more than us. Better go check the dyer now now! In between laundry duty, we took a walk to the city center and made our way to the market and the world famous Hofbrauhaus, former royal brewery of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Quite a place...between tourists and locals the place was full, even had a "Umpa" band playing. Took time to people watch and have a brew. Can't imagine the frenzy during Octoberfest! May have to make another stop tomorrow night. Tomorrow we will be touring the BMW museum and production plant. Chase is jacked! Afterward we plan to take a Segway tour of the city, it should be a fun day for all...remember I said you had to mix in teenage things. Off to fold clothes and get another night's sleep on one of Europe's definitions of a bed!