We arrive earlier than we had planned – being forever the speed tourists – and as we are trying to time all of our touring to end with our 7:15pm dinner reservations, we figure it is a great time to stop and have some cappuccino in the little café here. Great way to waste a little time – and warm up – before wandering through this next museum, in the building in which the Nazi Party was founded and focused upon Munich’s history and connection with National Socialism and the Nazi dictatorship.

The next few hours after our caffeine fix flow by as we fill our heads with incredible amounts of historical knowledge on the rise and fall of the NSDP. There is too much to relay here – and mostly all are placards with detailed explanations. Suffice it to say, it was a deep dive into the turbulent Munich history and the story of the Nazi power – sadly, and scarily very much like what we are experiencing today here in our country. The similarities are more than frightening – reading about the exact same situations and personalities that today are part of our country’s government and leadership. If you weren’t a resister before you entered this museum, you will be one when you leave.

We’ll only include a few photos here – of some wonderful, yet poignant, sculpture, photos of the Dachau when it was an active camp and another photo of the destruction of the Residenz – taken from inside the Antiquarium/Ceremonial hall.

Phew. Good but tough visit. Fortunately we have a nice brisk walk back to our side of the city to clear our minds before we have our Bavarian dinner at Augustiner Keller. And good thing too – coz you can’t be sad or melancholy here! Let me tell you! First off, we arrive very early – about 6:30 and fortunately the sweet guy at the front finds us a seat. First he sits us at an empty table for 6, telling us that we can’t stay there, but we can start our meal and then move when our table is available. Ok – whatever you say! You let us in, we’re happy! Our waiter comes over with menus and chats up a storm, then as we are about to order, says wait! And escorts us to a table for 4 – where 2 seats have just become vacant and we get to share with 2 other guys who are already eating. When in Bavaria!

It’s crowded, and crazy, and noisy, and everything you would expect a Beer Hall/Garden to be – including fabulous! We order our drinks – and said table partners leave – which allows us to scooch over (at our waiter’s instructions) to leave the other 2 seats empty. Again – whatever you say! We’re having fun just watching all the people and the waiters and the general hustle and bustle. And then the food arrives. Oh my. We shared Katler braten – thinly sliced cold roasted pork (enough for my main meal!) – then Ed had Wurstlteller – explained on the menu as “a little bit of everything,” and it was – while I had the local specialty of Maultaschen – Swabian ravioli with sauerkraut bacon and fried onions. So, so good!!! And not a drop left for take home either. Great last meal in Germany.

Stuffed and happy, we walk the 15 minutes back to the hotel, organize our suitcases and backpacks for our upcoming warmer locales and spend the rest of the evening happily hanging out and watching a little TV before our bedtime calls. Fabulous visit to an excellent city – we are only sorry we waited this long to come visit Munich!