Sunday, July 11

On this day, we were slow to rise but quick to leave after a decent breakfast. Unfortunately, it was one of the few good breakfasts we had on the trip.

Grabbed a taxi and off to the train station we went. We climbed aboard the next train to Munich. With each passing day, our luggage gets heavier and heavier.....and I was worried about not working out for 2 weeks. I laugh now because I probably got a better workout hauling all of our crap all over Germany than in a gym.

We arrive in Munich and are greeted with hot stale air. A stark contrast from the beautiful clean crisp air of where we were. After enjoying the rural area from which we came, urban Munich was now appreciated in a different manner. We walk out of the train station into a sea of yellow cabs. I have mutter mind our ever growing plethora of luggage while I go to secure a cab. Cab #1 – a skinny squirrely looking older fellow who couldn't lift my shaving kit. I offered to handle the luggage but he wasn't interested. He dodged me for an easier customer. Cab #2 – No english. Cab #3 – He had been watching me as I tried to secure a cab. I could tell right away as I approaced, he wasn't german. He was of middle east descent. As I walked up to the window, he threw up both of his hands and shook them rapidly back and forth shouting at me “I don't want you! I don't want you! Go away!”
WHAT THE HELL???
Ok, it's hot, I'm tired, I can't get a cab, and now....I'm pissed.
Cab #4 – an older german gentleman feels obligated to help us but isn't happy when he learns our hotel isn't far. His fare won't be very profitable. I had been watching my mom since the start of this trip as she has tipped everyone handsomely and I knew she would tip well, again....on this day. So, as our cabbie loads our luggage, I walk back over to cab #3 and stretched out my hands and yelled at him “You just missed a BIG tip!” Useless....I know, but I felt better. “What were you doing?” mutter asked seriously. I told her and she laughed.

After a two minute ride to our hotel, we check in. Mutter's request? Air conditioning and a bathtub. Thankfully, they are accomodating! We were so happy, we run upstairs only to find the smallest air conditioner known to man in a hot room. We set the a/c to 0 degrees celcius and wait.

Mom takes a nap as I go out exploring. Mom needs medical supplies for her feet. I go in search of an open apotheke (pharmacy). I found about 10 within a 4 block radius.....nothing is open. It's Sunday and we're in Europe....they work to live not like us...where we live to work.

I return with a pizza from Pizza Hut. Safe food! The room is cooling off and we snack on the pizza and we watch a little news IN ENGLISH!! Exhaustion sets in. We move, in what seems like slow motion. Mom enjoys the bathtub. We enjoy the cool room. We go to bed early.