Munich (but not Oktoberfest)

So we left Oktoberfest and headed into Munich. We hadn't really planned well ahead, not even bringing a guidebook, so our first stop was the tourist office to pick up a map of the city. From this we made up our own little walking tour of downtown, starting at the Rathaus (city hall), which was under construction.From here we headed through the market area, and lucky for us, most of the booths were still open at around 6:00. I was tempted by some of the mushrooms which are ripe this time of year, but I showed restraint. Chris was impressed with the array of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. Very autumnal!Chris was also impressed with the BMWs that he police drive, and took a picture of one of the cars in front of the police station to show dad (though he was a bit worried about getting in trouble).At this point we were getting a bit hungry (and thirsty of course), and I suggested that we try to find the Hofbräuhaus, the most famous old inn and beer hall in Munich. It's a tourist destination pretty well all the time, but during Oktoberfest I really wasn't sure if we'd be able to get a table. Luckil the place is huge, and the non-smoking area is less popular. Here are a few pictures we took of the interior, so you get the idea:And another picture that we didn't take but should have (and that I nabbed off of someone else's website), which shows the painted vaulted ceiling. This beer hall is also famous (or infamous) as being a place where Hitler held meetings in the 1920 which led to the birth of the Nazi party. At that time the ceiling was painted with swastikas. Though part of the building was damaged in the war, most of the lower level was left intact, including these ceilings. Rather than paint over the swastikas, they left them there but painted flags in the blue and white checkered pattern of Bavaria over top to camoflauge them.Even though this picture is out of focus, it's still pretty cute, and gives you a dose of Owen for this post. Here he's sitting on Jeremi's shoulders after supper, taking great pleasure in Jer's feathery 1970s hair (which is being shaken around, thus the fuzziness).

And finally one last picture of a Burger King billboard we saw in Munich. I've been living here so long that I barely notice the incredibly stupid use of English in advertisements, but Chris and Karen were able to see this one with fresh eyes. Aren't you wondering what angry onions are? And it says that it has jalapenos on it, and even looks to in the pictures, but they must be somehow neutered for the German palate.
And finally one last picture from the hotel room, of Owen wearing the Oktoberfest hat that actually fits him properly.