Munich, Germany - Part 2

Continuing the trip in Munich...

August 16th. Sightseeing continues. This time around downtown, to check Marienplatz and Odeonsplatz areas. Plus some other places around, including Frauenkirche. There's a law that no building in Munich may be taller than that church's towers. It prevented the construction of lots of skyscrapers, something that also happens in Kyoto, although in this case the towers are 109m high, making it possible to build tall buildings anyway. In fact, the second tallest structure in the city is an O2 Tower close to Olympiapark (mentioned in part 1)... just a little smaller than the towers.

Still, there was the problem of getting there. A simple bus plus train combination would take me there without problems... But I speak almost no German. I got instructions from J that I was to ask for a day ticket when entering the bus. That ticket would also be used for the train. The problem is that I got one bus driver that can't speak or understand any English (according to J, many can, but some can't. The problem is that bus line is not touristic), so I was trying to explain what I wanted. When I finally managed to make him understand something (I'm not even sure if the message went through right), he said something in German that I couldn't understand; and by that time we were at the final stop. In the end he just decided to let me go without paying. I paid eventually at the train station... because I had memorized the word for "day ticket" in German and found it on the vending machine.


After walking downtown, I went with K and S to Palaces Schleißheim, one of the major baroque complexes in Germany. Although the reason we went there was because K heard that the gardens there were more beautiful on that day than Schloss Nymphenburg (a more famous touristic spot). And it was beautiful indeed... There was even a wedding ceremony going on inside the palace when we arrived. Guess there are a lot of beautiful places to marry in Europe...

Next day. Sunday. The plans for that day went through many changes. Since it was a day when J could join the tour, we were planning to go somewhere a little further. The initial plan was Salzburg, in Austria. Two factors made us give up on that. First that I'm not so keen on music; and the main features of the city are that it was Mozart's birthplace and the setting for parts of the film "The Sound of Music" (I like the movie... but wouldn't remember the scenarios in detail to really enjoy the experience)... Second, we had to wake up really early to enjoy the day and had a child to consider.

Then we turned to castles. The most famous in the area is Schloss Neuschwanstein, that served as inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's Castle and is the most photographed building in Germany. Still, although smaller, Schloss Linderhof (based on the Palace of Versailles) has other things around to take pictures of and it's the only one that was completed during King Ludwig II's lifetime (out of three he ordered... Meaning it's the only one he actually lived in). So Linderhof was our choice.


One can only enter with a guided tour, but it's offered in many languages (German, English and Japanese are the ones I remember), plus other languages (Chinese, Italian, ...) available on a paper guide. I was wondering how a Japanese tour would look like, but chances were better with English, so I took the English tour. The Hall of Mirrors is splendid! The area around the palace is beautiful as well. Too bad some parts were under reform... AND it started raining after some time. Oh, boy...

On the last day, another technical museum. This time the Siemens Forum. Being a company's museum, it's very focused on the accomplishments of the company. It has some interesting things anyway since Siemens has been involved with interesting projects.


After that, one last walk downtown. But this time through a different path recommended by J, including the Königsplatz, the Justizpalast and one of the old city gates. Lunch at a outdoor restaurant close to the new city hall and packing... This time to Brazil.

At the airport, "bad" news. When I went for the check in, the lady at the counter said there were no seats available in Economy class, so I'd have to fly Business... and it IS confortable!!! Will I ever get used to Economy again? Hah!

Impressions: Munich has a good atmosphere. Although I thought it's a bit small for the third largest city in Germany, it may actually be a good thing. Beautiful scenarios and nice technical museums (was it part of Germany's plan to rise as a technological country?) I just regret not being able to check some classic spots (Neuschwanstein and Dachau Concentration Camp to mention the most important).

One interesting curiosity is that some places have signs in Japanese! The Japanese tour in Linderhof is perhaps the best example. Almost all places related to tourism. Still, the number of Japanese tourists must be large. Well, I noticed some here and there. And according to J, many of them try to do "Europe in 7 days" going from one spot to another in a frenetic pace... not that my tour was so different. Influence of my Japanese descendence?

Thanks to K, J and S for all the help. Sorry for the trouble and hope to see you again!

For those who think the pictures here are not enough, check my Picasa album for more.

Munich, Germany - Part 1

After London, my next stop using the RTW ticket was Munich, in Germany, from August 13th to 18th.

Like in London, I asked for help to some relatives. In Germany help was even more needed, since I know little to no German. Even when I went to Japan, I already had relatively good notions of Japanese. This time, I was going to a country barely knowing how to say a sentence in that country's language.

From the airport I went to my relative's house with K (my cousin), J (her husband) and S (their 2-year-old daughter). This was actually the first time I've met J and S. As J said, the only touristic spot we would be able to see that day was Allianz Arena, home stadium of FC Munchen (although not only that team). And that was because it's on the way from the airport to their house, so we'd gave glances of it.

Again, the rest of the day was dedicated to do some catching up, planning... and also play a little with the child. For some reason, S, who were quiet from the airport to their house, got something like an instant liking for me after we arrived and wanted to show me things, play together and play with my luggage...

And it was funny to be at a loss with a child who says "dá dá" ("gimme, gimme" in Portuguese) when she wants something, "nein" ("no" in German) when she doesn't want something and "hai" ("yes" in Japanese) when she agrees with something... So cute!


Next day. Sightseeing begins again (after London). The weather was nice, so K, S and me went to Olympiapark, the Olympic Park built for the 1972 Olympic games. It's impressive, especially considering how long ago it was built. Now it's a very nice green area and place for events. On the day we were there, there was an event for children part of the city's 850th anniversary celebrations and a rehearsal for some sort of live. If I got it right, that'd be for Paul Potts (don't know him? Check this video) first live in Germany. Not sure, though.


From the park to the BMW Welt, some sort of BMW exibition facility. Or the "factory of wishes"... You see the models in display and think "I wish I had this one"; "I wish I had that one"... Anyway, weather was getting a little weird, so it was time to finish sightseeing for the day.

August 15th. Since I mentioned to K I like technical stuff, she recommended the Deutsches Museum, the world's largest museum of technology and science. And since the weather was rainy (not too strong, but strong enouh to be annoying), it was perfect to stay indoors.

Have I mentioned it didn't occur to me to bring an umbrella? I thought it would be unnecessary since I'd be indoors, but I forgot about the queue to enter... And since it was a holiday, the museum was, obviously, crowded and with a huge queue to enter... Of course, those waiting were doing so under the rain. Gaijin Smash was something that came to my mind. Still, in the end I didn't. And it sort of paid off. There was a (German) family behind me, and the father was kind enough to let me get under his umbrella while we were waiting. Safe...

Note: later, I got some theories about that. My hosts believe that people who are Japanese looking are well-treated there. In part because Japanese tourists usually don't create much trouble, have good manners and spend a lot of money. A Japanese friend says that people from south Germany are usually kind. My personal theory was that I just happened to be close to a kind individual...

The museum is very interesting. And large. Ok that I simply stopped at the Informatics, Electronics and Electricity sections... It has nice explanations (without getting too much into technical details, but enough for people to know what's going on) and some stuff to try "hands on". Good for children, but many are interesting even for adults.

After that, I joined my "host family" and went to a pool... And since it's not a place whewre tourists usually go, it was a place where my Asian looks (although I'm Latin-American) drew some attention. In Japan, I'm sort of a camouflaged foreigner, but I think I got a free sample on how non-Asian-looking people feel in Japan. When some guys were trying to say something (remember, I know almost no German) my cousin (also Japanese descendent) came to the rescue and exchanged some words with them. Later I got a quick translation. It was something like:

"Hey, your country is getting a lot of medals in the Olympics!" (sort of mocking tone)
"We're not Chinese."
"Huh? Where are you from? Japan?"
"We're Brazilians."
"......" (speechless)

Nice answer. And even in Europe some people can't imagine Asian-looking Brazilians... Guess I have to blame soccer and carnival for that...

The Munich saga continues...

London, England - Part 3

Third and last part of my trip to London (part of the Round the World trip).

August 12th, the last day of heavy sightseeing.


The first stop was the Sherlock Holmes Museum. A place that, as a Holmes fan, I simply had to go. As a friend who recommended the museum mentioned, one may like the place if one is a Holmes fan, but it might not be so worth it otherwise. The efforts they made to make it look like Holmes actually existed (showing tools related to some cases, for example) are interesting; extra credits for the actor who plays Watson. The letters to Sherlock Holmes, both from characters of the books and from real people, are also nice.


Next, the British Museum. And I was amazed on how a museum with such a collection (among which the Rosetta Stone and parts of the Parthenon) allowed pictures inside... An extra curiosity was seeing one of the Crystal Skulls, artifact that became popular after the movie "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull".

The Japanese section was also interesting... and interesting to note where people's interests are. There were lots of marks of people pressing their hands of foreheads against the glass close to a katana sword...

After the museum, a walk to Covent Garden. A place with lots of street performers, shopping and cafes. Good point to have a break.

My last stop in central London was Picadilly Circus. No relation with entertainers, animals and alike. It rather comes from the Latin word meaning circle, since it's a road junction. That's also a popular and crowded place, more a less like Dōtonbori in Osaka I think.

Although I said the 12th was the last day of heavy sightseeing, I didn't say I did nothing on the 13th. It was time to walk around the neighborhood where I stayed. A London suburb with some points of interest, like a church with a graveyard where some artists rest in peace. There was even some sort of touristic spot nearby: Chiswick House. But many parts of it were under repairs...

For lunch, S said I must have fish-and-chips at a English pub before leaving Great Britain. So we pick a friend of his and went to his favorite pub... And it tasted good, although he said it wasn't so good on that day.

After the meal, packing and going to Heathrow airport after almost one week in London... Next stop: Munich, Germany.

Impressions about London: it's a real cosmopolitan city. English may be the "unifying language", but if I add the times I've listened to other languages (usually European, like Spanish, Italian or German; but there were lots of Chinese and Japanese around) they surpass the amount of English I've heard. People from various places speaking different languages... Tourists and residents alike. Living proof that "English only is not enough... nor even desired".

Things are VERY expensive. Makes Japan (even Tokyo) look like a joke, especially when in comes down to restaurants (eating out). Still, access to culture is easy and in many cases free. Places like museums were always crowded. That incentive to culture is something very nice to see.

Special thanks to M and S. They helped me a lot with lodgings, planning, guiding, hints about life in London (maybe one worth mentioning here is the Oyster Card)... And it was also great to see them again after so many years. Hopefully we'll meet again soon... in GB, Japan or Brazil.

For those who think the pictures here are not enough, check my Picasa album for more.

London, England - Part 2

Previously, in London... check this link.

August 10th. The sightseeing around London continues. This time, the target is Westminster area.


Close to the London Eye, the Palace of Westminster also houses one of the most classic touristic points in England: the Clock Tower most known as Big Ben, the world's biggest four-faced, chiming clock. One thing I didn't know is how the chimes used in Japanese schools are similar to Big Ben's. Maybe they're both derived from the same source?

Around the same area, there's also Westminster Abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and later British monarchs. Too bad it was Sunday, so it was closed for tours.

After a quick glance at Horse Guards, the next stop was Canary Wharf, sometimes called London's new financial center. Unlike the center of London, this area went through urban planning before constructions started on that site. The contrast is noticeable.


Anyway, the stop at Canary Wharf was part of the itinerary to Greenwich. The name sounds familiar? Because there's the Greenwich Royal Observatory and the point where the Prime Meridian of the World was set. Other attractions at the same area, like the National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House closed the day.


Next day I went with M and S to Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the Royal Family. And they do know how to make someone feel small. The parts open to the public are majestic... There was also an special exibition about the Prince of Wales, celebrating his 60th birthday.

So much to see, so little time... I couldn't see all there is inside the castle's walls... Pity.

One weird situation happened at the entrance, after buying tickets, when we have to go through a metal detector (!!)... Well, it is an inhabited castle. Back to the subject, at the metal detector, the guard said some greetings in Chinese to me. Not willing to say I wasn't even from Asia, I just mentioned I came from Japan (which is technically not a lie); to what he started saying greetings and some other instructions in Japanese! Glad my Japanese was up to the challenge.

My trip around London still continues...

London, England - Part 1

As I said before, my first stop using the RTW ticket was London, from August 7th to 13th.

Arriving at the airport, I went to M - my cousin - and S - her husband - 's house, where I'd stay during these days in London. The rest of the day was spending in catching up (it's been years since I last saw them, especially S) and planning what to do for the next days.

August 8th. The sightseeing race begins. The first area chosen is East London.

The Tower of London is a fortress that, according to a London guide website, despite its grim reputation as a place of torture and death, has also been enjoyed as a royal palace, served as an armoury and for a number of years even housed a zoo. Expensive to enter and no time, so I just checked the outside. One interesting point is the Traitor's Gate. I imagine how the prisioners entering from that gate felt... Looks a lot like some movies.



Tower Bridge is a suspension bridge in London close to Tower of London and one of the symbols of the city. Some excellent pictures of it, especially at dawn, but hope mine will suffice.

Changing the area just a little bit, the next stop was St. Paul's Cathedral. An Anglican Cathedral that is also one of the most visited places in London... and very beautiful from the inside as well (note: there's an entrance fee too). One curiosity is that there are some sightlines from the cathedral's tower must not be obstructed. That's one of the laws in city planning there. Because of that and the irregular space to build, some skyscrapers are built with unusual shapes. One will have a triangular shape to avoid spoiling one of those sightlines... too bad I forgot the name of the building.


Crossing the Millenium Bridge, also named Wobbly Bridge after crowds of pedestrians felt an unexpected swaying motion on the first two days after the bridge opened (the problem was solved afterwards), the next stop of the day was Tate Modern, a national museum of international modern art which some interesting galleries and stories (like when an artist made a crack on a ramp as part of her exibition. Go figure. They fixed it later, but the place where the crack was made is still noticeable).

The last stop was the National Gallery. In front of the gallery there's the Trafalgar Square, that was crowded because of the Olympics opening ceremony. It was just at the time the chinese delegation entered the stadium. Some sort of sign, maybe?

Anyway, the National Gallery was the first of a series of museums in London that impressed me. Lots of paintings from different ages, some very famous, and the entrance is free! They accept donations, like "pay what you think it's worth". My cousing says it's because the public museums are supported by taxes, so some thought it'd be fair to make entrance to public buildings free of charge.


Next day. Checking the internet, M noticed it was a day when there would happen the Change of the Guard in front of the Buckingham Palace. Since it's one of the "Londonish" things to see, off we went. Too bad we got a little too late. Not to watch the event, but getting a god place requires getting there long before it starts. So, my viewpoint wasn't good, but I was impressed on how some police officers took care so "opportunists" wouldn't just sit in front of people who stood waiting for hours.

After the event, the weather wasn't too promising, so we decided to check some museums for the rest of the day. At the Science Museum I felt myself more at home. Guess I'm really a science guy rather than arts person. Some exibitions are interesting, and there are activities based on science for children. But I was disappointed when there was not even a mention on Santos Dumont in the History of aviation, but plenty of things about the Wright brothers... Well, guess that History really depends on who tells it...


The second museum was the Natural History Museum, where the most popular exibition is the dinosaurs by far. The only one with a huge queue to enter. Not that the rest of the museum was empty either. Or uninteresting. The Earth Galleries are very nice.

The saga continues...

Poll

Does anyone still read this blog?

Well, I've been thinking... So many years have passed that I don't know what should I keep posting anymore. I mean, this blog started as a way for my Brazilian friends read what I was doing in Himeji. Now the public is more diverse, but then I'm lost on what they'd like to read about.

A quick glance here made me notice that posts fall usually in four basic categories. I'd like to ask you to leave a mail or comment saying what are your preferences. Or if it's something completely different. There will be examples based on previous posts for reference.

1 - Personal stories. Things that happen in my life. Like when I was having problems with my plane to go to Kyoto or trying to find activities (sports, arts) there.

2 - Interesting news I find around. For example, about some points of view related to English becoming the main international language or how people may change their behavior when shifting between languages.

3 - Trips, festivals and alike (usually with some pictures). Sakura blooming in Kyoto or my trip to Okinawa are some previous posts in this category.

4 - Curiosities and oddities I either find around or hear about, like some strange things I've heard from people who say they can speak some Portuguese or the weird vending machines in Japan (post in Portuguese).

As you may have noticed, the categories get intertwined pretty often. Still, I just want to know what should I keep as main objectives of this blog.