Vacation Diaries - As seen through the eyes of Kaushika Jayalath; a Sri Lankan wanderer in Germany.
Munich - Germany
As a Sri Lankan, our understanding of a white Christmas is limited to cotton wool pretending to be snow in department store decorations. In such an atmosphere, getting the chance to visit Germany in winter was quite a refreshing change. However, credit for this journey goes completely to my brother, Vindula, a football fanatic that worships the German club Bayern Munich. When he put together the idea for a backpacking trip across Munich in the thick of winter, ending with a live football match at the Allianz Arena, I was wary of how it would turn out at first. Boy, was I wrong.
Having flown into Munich, and never having experienced a proper winter before, we were both greeted by the cold weather that reminded us of our ancestors. Needless to say, once properly clothed to deal with the snowy conditions, we felt much better. Our plan was to roam Munich from one end to the other, while spending the nights at Backpacker Hostels that have been set up in Munich for the travelling nomad.
The city of Munich itself is vast, and widely spread. The city beautifully infused old European cathedrals, domes and churches with its contemporary architecture. It was obvious that they took a lot of pride in their history, and they ensured that they kept most of it alive. The coat of snow that constantly covered everything around us gave everything a different feel to what you usually perceive as ‘renaissance-age Europe’. The city itself held a very regal quality to itself, with statues and shrines of remembrance at every corner.
Further towards the suburbs, the existence of the Bavarian culture became stronger and stronger. The houses stayed true to its surrounding and gave everything an old Eastern European feel. Walking through old reserves and towns covered completely in snow, it created quite an eerie feeling at times. But then again, the treks were always worth it when we made our way into a new restaurant. Known for its hospitality, Germany did not disappoint us with their selection of cuisine. Needless to say, my brother and I pigged out on every opportunity we got.
We made sure that we covered all the “touristy” spots such as the national museum and the BMW factory in Munich. But walking through the streets of Munich was indeed much more interesting than these destinations. From following a rally of activists protesting for refugee rights, to listening to an old German accordion player during rush hour, the streets and alleys we walked were packed with activity.
Last but not least, came the final destination of the journey. The Allianz Arena, which is a landmark by its own right. The stadium itself was packed to the hilt in a sea of Bayern Munich supporters dressed in red. If you thought they cheered hard in British Premier League, you thought wrong. The passion these folks had for the Bundesliga and for their team was beyond any comprehensible level of understanding. The atmosphere at the game itself was a spectacle in its own right.
Thanks to the snow-heavy winds, the long treks across villages and industrial lands, all the map reading and signboard interpreting, this journey was indeed a memorable one. More so than the places we visited, the journey of getting there created more memories than either of us were planning for. If not anything else, you may call it a bonding trip between two brothers. And for that reason alone, this trip is one to remember.
Note it down
Best time for a backpacking trip would be?
Now. Just pack your bag and step outside. And don't forget your toothbrush!
A football fan or not, you must visit……?
Allianz Arena. If the tour and the club museum don't amaze you, hearing 300,000 chant songs in unison most certainly will.
Munich is best known for its……?
Hospitality. Germans are nice people, contrary to popular belief!
Make sure you don't annoy the German by….?
Ordering too little. They go to such lengths to make brilliant meals. Ordering small quantities would just be disrespectful... Or that's the excuse we gave ourselves.
By Eshani Seneviratne
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