Munich revisited

So..............

You have probably noticed that the blog has taken on a traveling reference as of late...when I started to write down what was happening in my new life in Munich, I was understandably all consumed with our  life here.  It is a fact that I didn't leave Munich much last year at all.  I didn't go back to the States with the Hub when he passed through for work, nor did I go home on my own.  I had Bailey the Dog to take care of, and learning German and how to get through my days here was adventure enough for me. I was in Germany (or close) from April through mid-December. Christmas break was the first time that we packed Bailey up and took her to the Hund Hotel for a week and I left Munich for any days strung together.

I have now been here for one year!  My official arrival anniversary was April 4th.  Last year and this year that was Easter weekend.  A year ago on that weekend, I woke up to a new city, a new language and no job... I didn't have any clue about the adventure that was ahead of me.  It has been absolutely wonderful.  I have enjoyed so much about the ex-pat life and what I found challenging, I made sure I learned something from the experience.

This year on April 4th we were in Thailand.  How things have changed!  We are now a petless couple and can pick up and leave at a moment's notice.  It still feels strange and I miss her everyday. But Bailey's gift to me was helping me get through that crucial first year-and I feel so fortunate to have had that time with my girl. 

We are back to the normalcy (what there is of it!) of our every day lives here.  I continue to find my way as best I can, am planning on getting back into Language School soon, and find others here to befriend who are in the same boat as we are. We will travel as much as we can this year, and for that I am both excited and apologetic...but I promise to keep the Munich alive on this blog.  I mean, really, there is so much that is funny or interesting that goes on around me or happens to me-the blog will not completely turn travel oriented.  But I do appreciate the flexibility that you all have afforded me.  Please continue to read and share the journey...no matter where it takes us, ok?

In that spirit, here are some funny things I have spotted around Munich in the past few months and have been storing up and waiting to share with you.  In no particular order, of course...

Back to your regularly scheduled pretzel.....

Thai for two...

 

You may notice in the London pictures that we are both sporting a bit of a suntan.  Before London, we took a week off around Easter and traveled to Thailand-to Khao Lak.  It was the perfect quiet get away.  Khao Lak is north of Phuket by about an hour and is a rather remote beach location popular with Swedish tourists. Khao Lak was covered by 4 miles inland by the wave of the Boxing Day Tsunami, but they have done a lot to rebuild quickly in order to keep their main source of income of tourism going strong.

The Hub's dream vacation has always been Thailand...snorkeling, SCUBA diving to see clown fish, Thai food!  All it took was 10 hours on Air Berlin direct from Munich to Phuket and we were there! Here he is enjoying one of his favorite dishes-Chicken with basil (and baby corn):

For this trip, we decided to just go for a week-to give Thailand a try.  We needed to get away and relax, so we took it easy-no blackberry, no work, no worries.  Thailand is beautiful and HOT!

We took a snorkeling trip to the Similan Islands. We stopped for lunch and hiked up the rock to an overlook.  To get to the top, we climbed up plank walkways and  through rock tunnels to get to the top and  were rewarded with a view of breathtaking turquoise waters.

 

Another morning we took an elephant ride through a rubber tree plantation.  Riding an elephant is not necessarily a comfortable ride, but it was an experience that I will not ever forget. And we got to feed our elephant some bananas after the ride, which she really seemed to like! Our guide made me a grasshopper out of palm fronds.  

I couldn't believe how strong her trunk was!  I kept dropping the bananas...but it was cool to get to put bananas right to her trunk and watch her scarf them up.

Our second snorkeling adventure was to the Phi Phi Islands-and we stopped where they filmed the movie "The Beach".  I didn't see Leo, but the scenery was again breathtaking!

We had a great time, and I am certain that we will return to Thailand again.  It was a good first trip...and we absolutely want to take advantage of being this much closer to so many places by being located in Munich.  So many places to visit...I posted only a few pics here of a few things we did...if only the relaxation that you feel when you are on vacation could linger a little bit longer in the real world when you return.  We are now back in the swing of Munich and our day-to-day lives.....

The volcanic ash cloud has been keeping me away from my computer....

Well, this is actually true...I was caught in London for 6 extra days on my own due to the closure of the airports...6 wonderfully sunny days all by my self in London...honestly, it was great!  As many travelers were "stuck" in places that they might not have wanted to be (train stations, airports and the like), I was in a country where I could speak the language (well, not the Queen's English, but you get the idea) and the hotel kept letting me extend my reservation.  I honestly couldn't think of a better way to get caught up in London.....

And, although the huge ash cloud did a good job of disabling all of Europe, the sun was shining and the people of London were most friendly.  Similar to after 9/11, everyone had a commonality-a story to tell of being caught in London or knowing someone caught somewhere.  Shopkeepers were wonderful, taxi drivers completely conversational and I had a lovely time.

 

It is worth mentioning that the last time I was in London was a complete disaster.  It rained and was cold and dreary...and miserable.  London and I had broken our love affair...this was the healing trip.  London treated me to wonderful sunshine and 60 degree weather every day that I was delayed.  I felt safe and taken care of...and was given the gift of time..a fact which allowed me to visit places outside the city like Bath and Hampton Court.

Needless to say, London and I are back on.....

SPARGEL SEASON!

Yes, dear friends, Spargel Season is just getting under way here in Munich...for a limited time, the white, thick asparagus delicacy is appearing in the fruit and veggie stands all over town once more.  This is a true herald of Spring!

Spargel is kept buried until harvested, so it never turns green...what it is buried under, well, you might not want to know if you will be eating it (manure...).  But if you do fancy a taste test, the Hollandaise mix is right there next to it...seems rather monochromatic to me, but to each their own!  No matter, Spargel is fun to say and was my first German word.  For that, it will always have a place in my heart....so say it with me with some gusto: SPARGEL!

ps: my mother right now is wondering who in their right mind would by a Hollandaise sauce mix, when it is so easy to make...hey-I never said they were good cooks here...

Hong Kong Homestretch

Ok, this is the last HK installment...I know that I haven't been writing much about Munich lately...or showing you many pictures of my Bavarian city.  Sorry about that...but HK was just too big a place not to show you a lot of photos.  I hope that you will forgive and come along for one last grouping.  It is the HK Homestretch...