Day 1… or 2. I honestly have no idea. Cars, Planes, Planes, Cars, and Trains!
Somewhere between cars, planes, more planes, more cars, and finally trains, time stopped making sense.
Steve and I flew from Philadelphia to Charlotte — Adam was supposed to join us but sadly had to cancel at the last minute — where we would meet up with Eric and Rodney on our way to our host, Daniel, who awaited us in München (Munich to you and me).
The connection time was going to be tight — about 20 minutes from deplaning to boarding — and given our most recent debacle in Montana/Dallas, I was dubious.
But the travel gods were with us today.
First, when confronted with a $75 baggage fee, I sweet-talked the agent into waiving it. 😳
Pro Tip #38: 👉🏻 Apparently if your checked baggage appears somewhere between a carry-on and a full suitcase, they can tag it for free — claiming it was gate-checked due to an oversize violation.
Who knew?
Fun Fact: When your trip starts with 3 Bloody's before noon, turns out nothing much bothers you.
Next, when we boarded (on time!), I spoke to the flight attendant and explained our tight connection time. He moved our seats closer to the exit to speed our deplaning.
Then not only did we actually depart on time, they announced we would be getting into Charlotte 10 minutes early. 😳
Things were off to a better start.
When we boarded the flight to Munich, the plane was empty.
Like 80% empty.
Like flip-up-the-armrests-and-stretch-out-across-the-entire-row-and-sleep kind of empty.
I mean… ’nuff said.
We met Daniel at the Munich airport. Daniel is Rodney and Eric’s friend and, with his wife and son, lives outside Munich.
Daniel’s one mistake was inviting Rodney over for a visit and ski trip.
Rodney then invited Eric.
Who invited Steve.
Who then invited Adam and Dave.
Pro Tip #612: Be careful who you invite to your house when you live near great skiing.
They don’t call ’em ski bums without good reason.
The Zoo Crew - European Vacation Edition: Rodney, Steve, Daniel, E Harmony and Dave. Here, in Tagernsee.
Brätwurst?! Brät best!!!
Daniel had already planned a great first day. We went right from the airport to Holzkirchen, where Daniel lives, and boarded the Euro-beautiful, Euro-efficient train to Tegernsee.
Bräustüberl Tegernsee. (Note the amount of umlauts. Wait for it...)
Bräts were enjoyed by all. (Apparently Germans joke about Americans adding ümläuts to anything they can so I will indulge this stereotype...)
At one point Rodney studied his brat for a moment, took a bite, and thoughtfully announced,
“This is almost like a hot dog.”
Which, technically speaking, is true.
In the same way that Germany is almost like Epcot.
Now, in Rodney’s defense, I will refrain from bringing up the hot-dog comment here — despite the fact that I find it beautifully hilarious and not nearly as odd as I mercilessly pretended it was at the time.
Oh wait.
I did just bring it up.
Sort of.
Drät.
When is a hot dog not a hot dog? When it's a bratwurst.
First German beers of the trip.
They were helles gut.
Back to Holzkirchen. Eric, Steve, and I hit the grocery store for creamer — which I will promptly smash all over the Airbnb’s driveway — and then discover there is no key in the lockbox.
Eventually that all gets sorted.
We get into the house with just enough time to drop our clothes and head right back out for more German vittles at the aptly — yet not uncommonly prefixed — Zum Oberbräu.
Öddly, being named Oberdoester gets you no free biers at Oberbräu.
Bed.
Sleep.
Which, for me, doesn’t come easy.
Well, tomorrow’s another day.
Unless it’s actually today.
Wait…
Is it yesterday in the States?
I dunno.
Travel, to me, is a bit like time travel.
Somewhere between the cars, planes, and trains… you lose track of which day it is.
Good night.
💤 🫣☀️😢😡
Some scenes from lovely Holzkirchen.