And now onto Munich! We got in around 9 or so in the morning maybe. Headed to our hostel to drop off our bags and then wanted to head to Dachau Concentration camp first thing. Getting there was a bit of an adventure. We missed the stop but there was a super nice lady who helped us figure out how on earth to get there. Very glad I went. It was a very interesting and chilling experience. Unlike the sadness I felt at the Anne Frank house, here I felt a feeling of complete disgust. Hearing about everything they did. Granted I knew a lot already, but the audio tour was very explicit. And walking into the crematorium... i seriously thought I could puke right then and there. Seeing the ovens. Seeing the gas chamber. Absolutely repulsive, but extremely interesting all the same. Definitely glad I went and it was an experience I think that everyone should have at some point in their life.
Memorial
After Dachau we relaxed in our hostel for a bit because we were exhausted, and then decided to wander. We headed to the area where all the Christmas markets were, in Marienplatz, the major town square area. It was absolutely beautiful! All the lights, you could feel christmas spirit in the air. haha
We walked through the main plaza and then wanted to head to the Hofbrauhaus, Munich's most famous Beer hall. Quite an experience! You walk in and it is absolutely packed. You sit wherever you can find a spot and Molly and I found a table with some funny Italians. Then we ordered. Of course we had to get the liter size, and we chose a beer recommended by Molly's boyfriend, Radler. We HATED it! Haha. couldn't even finish the glass, but we had a good time there. Oh and they have this awesome band there that plays german music, it was great
The next day we just wanted to relax and go shopping at the famous Christmas markets. Munich and all of Germany really is famous for them, and I understand why! When you get to where they are, it is just hut after hut of candles, ornaments, food, drinks. The plaza was packed with people. Molly and I had some sort of wurst and these potato things for lunch. I don't even want to think about how bad all of it is for you, but it was all absolutely delicious! We shopped and wandered for pretty much the majority of the day, but headed back to the hostel at a reasonable our because we wanted to go on a beer tour around 6.
The way the tours work are if there aren't enough people, it doesn't happen. So the first one we tried failed, but the second one had a big enough group, so off we went! It was a group of about 15 of us maybe? Molly and I, 3 canadians, and the rest were aussies. It was absolutely a blast! Everyone was so nice and we just went from one beer hall to the next drinking beers and socializing. Molly and I started off strong with a liter beer to start, but then we had to switch to the half liter because we knew if we wanted to survive we had to slow down. haha and that was definitely a good decision! we had a great time on the tour and it was definitely the perfect way to end a fabulous weekend
Tuesday morning we had a fairly early flight, so we just woke up and headed to the airport. Had a beautiful flight home and then we arrived for our last week. We had our last classes on Wednesday and Thursday. Last night was the last Erasmus party, so of course we made an appearance. Spent a lazy day today, but tomorrow I plan on waking up early because Alyssa and I need to get done all the touristy things in Bilbao we haven't done yet! We are going to take the Funicular up to the top of the mountain/hill to get a view of the city. And then we plan on headed back to Plentzia. We went there the first day, but it is a beautiful coastal town and we want to return. I can't believe how close I am to the end. I even started packing today! It is so unbelievably bittersweet, agridulce. As much as I am so excited to travel with Anna and Karen for a bit and then head home to see all my family and friends again, I know I am going to miss Bilbao, my friends here, and my host mom tons. It will definitely be an adjustment going back home. I always hated when my friends would come home and their time abroad was all they could talk about, but now I completely understand why. but anywhooooo. time to eat dinner soon, so I will write again soon!
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