I went into today expecting to make a dent in my wallet. I did just that. Today we took the train to Munich, a city known for its world-class museums, global companies, and one of the highest qualities of life in Europe. From the moment I arrived, I understood why people were drawn to this place. The city felt alive. Unlike Augsburg, the streets were flooded with people. It probably didn’t help that there was an FC Bayern Munich soccer game later that day.
Munich felt surprisingly walkable. It reminded me of Oakland, where a normal walk is about 15-20 minutes long. Restaurants, shops, and markets were packed closely together, with small green spaces scattered throughout the city. I was shocked to see many American brands like Brandy Melville, Urban Outfitters, Starbucks, and Five Guys and Fries in a place so historic. However, Munich still seemed very international. I heard people speaking Chinese, Italian, Spanish, and of course German. At times, the city reminded me more of a tourist hub than a traditional Bavarian city.
The city had sprinkles of character I was not expecting. For example, people were surfing in the Eisbachwelle, even when temperatures were around 40 degrees Farenheit. We also passed a fan-made shrine of Michael Jackson, which sat directly across his favorite hotel during his time in Munich. An even more fascinating characteristic was the water fountains. Unless it is indicated, all fountains have clean water that pedestrians can use to refill any bottles. I’m scared to even walk by water fountains in America, much less drink from them.
Our tour guide, Hildrun, led us to important sites with traces of Bavarian culture. She pointed out the white and blue Bavarian flags hanging throughout the city, with an emphasis on saying white before blue. I do not fully understand that joke, but apparently the locals will never say their flag is “blue and white.” She also explained the history behind the maypoles. I learned that neighboring towns sometimes try to steal them. If a maypole is stolen, the town has to pay a ransom of beer and food to get it back, and if they refuse, it can be returned in pieces. Traditions like that reminded me that despite all the tourists and modern shopping, the city still holds onto customs rooted deeply in its history.
One thing that stood out to me most was how Munich handles its past. There were memorials connected to resistance against the Nazi regime, including plaques, statues, and the Square for the Victims of National Socialism memorial. Hearing about students and educated young people who resisted the Nazis felt especially heavy because some of them were around my age. It made the history feel more personal and real. The city of Munich leaves reminders out in the open to honor those who lost their lives and to ensure future generations never forget. As our visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site approaches, those reminders bring an emotional weight to what lies ahead.
