The train ride was very smooth and efficient. Similar to public transportation back home, the outside of the station felt somewhat dirty and depressing. However, the inside of the German train was very nice. It felt state-of-the-art, clean, and much more well-kept overall.

The atmosphere in Munich was awesome. The city felt both historic and modern at the same time, unlike anything I had personally seen or experienced before. The outdoor stores and fresh markets around nearly every corner were amazing to explore. It was interesting to learn that German culture includes around 1,200 different types of sausages and 200 types of bread. After walking around the city all day, I definitely believed it. The number of ornate shops and markets was impossible to count. I ended up buying a couple of hats, a T-shirt, and some fresh truffle cheese to bring home.

The meat market was especially interesting to see. Watching the butchers work behind the glass windows was fascinating and gave the market a very authentic feeling. Augsburg also happened to have a home soccer game that day, which added even more energy and excitement to the streets. The town square was another unique highlight. It was also cool to learn about the history behind the old and new town halls. Ironically, the “new” town hall is technically older, which was a confusing but interesting fact.

One thing I noticed about Bavarian culture was the strong sense of community. Everything seemed centered around people coming together to celebrate, socialize, and enjoy traditions. The language and culture around the city were very mixed, but one stereotype that helped me immediately recognize people as German was seeing them wearing Munich soccer jerseys and scarves.

What stood out most to me was how genuine the culture felt. Munich did not feel like a tourist trap. Instead, it felt authentic and respectful, with people truly appreciating the culture rather than just turning it into entertainment like you might see at places such as Disney. I also had the opportunity to climb one of the church bell towers and see an amazing view of the city. On a clear day, you can even see the Alps in the distance, which made the experience even more memorable.