Munchen Christkindlmarkt

Choir Performing in Marienplatz

Leaving the Augsburg Market, we are now driving back to Munich to visit our last market.  Our GPS gal takes us into Stadtmitte without any problems and we secure a handicapped parking space right by the market.  I have a temporary placard because of the bursitis in my hip.  We arrive just in time to listen to the brass band and choir singing from the balcony of the Altes Rathaus in the Marienplatz.  

There are many stalls with traditional German and Austrian decorations.  The exterior of most of the stalls are basic--nothing fancy or particularly attractive. 

Laser Cut Wood Ornament

This market is along the entire length of the pedestrian zone and requires a lot of walking.  During the week, the stores in this area are also open.  A few stores have animated window displays for the children.  


The Kripperlmarkt.  At the far end of this market (away from Marienplatz), the Kripperlmarkt, one of the largest in Germany, specializes in cribs and other Nativity accessories.  It has been part of this market since the mid-18th century.  

The Kripperlmarkt has everything you need to start, or add to, your own authentic manger.  Each booth has their own Italian carvers and, therefore, the figurines are depicted and painted differently.  After about an hour at a booth, Melissa carefully purchases a Holy Family and one lamb.  Why a lamb and not a donkey?  A very lovely, older German woman was standing next to Melissa when she was looking at the figurines.  When the sales person showed us the lamb, the German woman said "shon" and insisted that Melissa buy that particular lamb.  When Melissa turned and looked at the woman, she saw that she looked a lot like Grandma Peg whom we lost in August.  It was an easy decision from there on.  The figurines are beautiful and will last a lifetime.  People come back to this market every year and purchase one or two more pieces to add to their Nativity.  Guess we'll have to come back next year.  

We sip our last mug of gluhwein and enjoy a wurst mitt brotchen and pommes frittes.  

As the market comes to a close, Melissa and I traverse the streets searching for Munich's famous Hofbrauhaus.  This well-known beer hall is very big but completely full.  After almost giving up, we find a place to sit.  

Melissa is talking to Americans to the left of her and I am having a conversation, sort of, with the drunkards from Dusseldorf next to me.  I am told that the "oom pa pa" music we are listening to is not German music, it is Bavarian music just for the tourists.  

Brian sends a text wondering if we are in our hotel and packing.  Hmmm, not yet.  

 

We locate our car, and reset the GPS for the Best Western Parkhotel in Erding.  It was about a 35 minute drive. The hotel is located in a nice, small town by the bahnhof and about a 20 minute drive to the airport.  We are able to park the car for free in a well lit lot across the street next to the bahnhof.  The room was very nice and modern and the staff was pleasant.  After repacking our luggage, we set the alarm for 5 a.m. and I eventually fall asleep.  

On the way to the airport, we fill up at a local gas station that is open and has an attendant 24/7.  This is always a concern when you have an early morning flight.  Our credit cards do not have a chip in them so you have to find a gas station with an attendant.  

Even though it's 6 a.m., EuropCar has attendants checking in their rental cars.  I'm impressed.  

Loved Our Automatic, Diesel Opel

After taking pics of the car, we attempted to check in my overweight bag and reduce the weight of our carry-on bags. Thank goodness we had held back one of our check-in bags so that we could transfer stuff into it from the carry-on bags.  We are flying on Air Berlin and their size and weight of carry-on bags is a lot less than American Airlines.  This is typical of European airlines.

Our Air Berlin flights back to the States were okay.  We flew from Munich to Dusseldorf to LAX.  These Sunday flights were full.  The food was just o.k.  This airbus had video screens on the headrest in front of you which had a good selection of movies, TV shows and games.  However, I would not fly Air Berlin again unless I have no other option.

After getting through another set of long lines for passport control and customs at LAX, we emerge to hugs and flowers from Brian and the kids.  They were happy to see their mom.