Munich

We had an express bus for the five hour journey west from Prague to Munich - significantly cheaper than the train option.  Smooth highway, (auto-Bahn anyone), the whole way.  The rolling forested hills before the German border continued for a while before the cultivated fields took over.  First there were only a few hop fields with their characteristic tall poles and wires for the vines to climb, which became the characteristic roadside view for much of the rest of the trip.  Periodic solar panel fields were also new.

Our budget hotel is near the Hauptbahnhof - main station - with all the stores and options to service the traveling public; every third storefront offers Turkish pizza, doner and other instant take-away foods, every fifth building is a hotel or a hostel with a sprinkling of casino-slot machine sites, sex shows, barbers and gold jewelry shops.  Wander half a block in the opposite direction and the street-scape becomes quiet with University of Munich buildings.

Our focus is family visiting with my 84 year old aunt.  Her seniors' residence is eight subway stations from the centre, which gave us the chance to walk around a middle class suburban neighbourhood.  Mix of private houses and many low apartment buildings.  The treed streets, extensive grass and tree buffers between buildings are a major contrast with similar Canadian neighbourhoods.  (Parking underground so no need for the large foot-print of parking lots.). All serviced by multiple subway and bus routes.  Excellent example of what planning and population density can produce.

Did the Hofbrauhaus tourist thing Sunday afternoon. Sometimes you just have to give in.  After all:  an oomhpapa band, litres of good beer and sausages / sauerkraut with pretzels - what's not to love.

Last afternoon explored the 'Englisher Garden'.  Huge park right downtown complete with rushing streams, pond, treed paths and, if the day was not so cool, lawns paved with naked locals.