Munching on Munchen.

Murray visited the Neue Pinakothek while I went over to the new contemporary Museum Brandhorst below:

Cy Twombly Levanto Series filled a whole semicircular gallery. All of the galleries have natural light which is weird as it changes when clouds pass overhead. its a very lovely museum. 

Our planned two day stay in Munich turned into three as we really love this city and we were overcome with a mild torpor after all that hiking in the mountains. Beautiful old buildings everywhere, trams, cyclists (sans helmets), and for a city,  the atmosphere is very fresh and the streets are clean. Somewhat like a grander version of Christchurch (pre quake). The people are very beautiful too in that Aryan way...particularly the women. Mostly friendly to bumbling tourists though there is a fair smattering of wannabe POW camp guards. 'Vou vill have this ice(cream) and vou vill have it now' kind of thing. One memorable sight that we wished we hadn't seen was of a pudgy male aged about 60 parading himself down the middle of a knee deep river in the 'Englishce Garten' completely starkers and causing quite a titter amongst the young Americans though no one else seemed perturbed. We thought he was just a oddball at first until several more came past. They looked like confused members of a tribe of prehistoric cavemen who had somehow found themselves transported into the 21st century. 

The hotel is cool with super friendly staff and the best breakfast we have had in Europe so far. As we wanted to stay another day and they had no more rooms they kindly gave us a suite. I had my haircut in a 'hair lounge' staffed by rather ominous looking East Europeans wielding the razors as though they could cut your throat as easily as they would give you a shave. I felt relieved to escape with the loss of only some hair.

The shops here are uber cool and we had to restrain ourselves to keep within the stretchy limits of our budget. I loved the furniture made from distressed timber and old leather gym mats.

Nell went off to another gallery. My favourite Fauves were a must see at the 'Pinky House'(sic) Museum and they did not disappoint. Also some good examples of the Impressionists et al. As well as appreciating the artworks on their own merits, I find it fascinating to see how they relate to each other and to the broader historical context.

Well our train in about to arrive in Salzburg so enough scribbling for now...hang on I think I can hear someone singing faintly....'the hills are alive.....'

English garden with cold clean river running through it, welcome in 34 degrees.

It really does look English.