A day in Munich, September 18, 2008
For some people (Magazine Monocle Issue 05 in 2007), Munich is the top liveable city in the world! It has to do with a combination of investment in infrastructure, high-quality housing, low crime, strong media, and liberal politics; the latter may be true for the city, but not for the bundesländer, Bavaria, which is consistently at the right of the political spectrum, although I understand that the leading conservative party (the Christian Social Union - CSU) may be losing its traditional 50% grip on the popular vote in the coming election, which may force them into a coalition, and weaken Merkel’s chance to stay in power at the next federal election in 2009. Our friends living here (more on them further down) are somewhat sceptical about this appreciation, perhaps too acutely aware of some of the deficiencies of the city (especially when you moved there, having lived in more exotic places such as Singapore!)
For our part, I must admit, the city is attractive, starting with its airport - Terminal 2, only 5 years old – which offered a very smooth process coming in, and going out. You are also quickly reminded that Munich is BMW’s headquarters: every TV screen at each of the baggage conveyor carries BMW ads! Learning that secondary cities in Germany i.e. Munich and Dusseldorf – there are direct flights linking both to Toronto – are much better transit places than frantic, huge Frankfurt, including to Berlin.
Don’t have much time to “discover” the city, but take an hour to stroll to the old city at the core of Munich (that is another feature of the place: if you are not too far from the center of the 1.6M people Greater Munich, you can walk literally anywhere and not need a car. Sighting major attractions: Im Tal lively street leading to Marienplatz where both the old Town Hall and the very ornamented, Gothic style, New Town Hall, built only at the end of the 19th century, stand. The New Town Hall reminds me of some of the architecture found in Belgium, for one reason or another, the Grand Place in Brussels among others. Then up Residenz Street to reach Maximilian Joseph Platz where some of the major “monuments” can be found – the National Theatre, the Residenz Palace itself, which seems to be under renovation. I understand the Residenz to be the palace which was home of the Bavarian rulers for some 400 years starting in 15th century. Came back down on the other side of this historical and cultural complex that is the Residenz, by Marstall Platz, to find the Cuvilliès Theatre, built in the 18th century and in the view of some people the most delightful Rococo style theatre in the world (I will take their word for it as I don’t have time to visit!) The more intriguing part to me is the modern architecture that stands of the left, the Max-Plante Institute among others, which marries well with the old architecture, an interesting melange that many old cities of Europe – Zurich comes to mind – now offer. Meandered along Orlando Street where is the famous beer parlour HofbrauHaus – groups of young people having a good time outside, already started on OktoberFest which officially only begins tomorrow – back to the hotel, the conveniently-located Holiday Inn City Centre
Visit offers unique chance for Cynthia to see an old friend from Singapore, Cristina Hon, who moved here with German husband Andreas, some 8 years ago. Always liked Cristina, so full of life; a chance too for me to meet finally Andreas, delightful, a trained architect whose work has gradually morphed into that of an executive with a locally-based generic medicament manufacturer, with facilities around the world. Sampled some good French fare for dinner at Rue des Halles; wonderful evening reminiscing our time in Singapore and catching up with our respective life. Had lunch with my business hosts, GEMA, not too far from there, at what is known as one of the better Italian restaurants in Munich, Vianiolo – both quite delicious (http://www.vinaiolo.de/).
For some people (Magazine Monocle Issue 05 in 2007), Munich is the top liveable city in the world! It has to do with a combination of investment in infrastructure, high-quality housing, low crime, strong media, and liberal politics; the latter may be true for the city, but not for the bundesländer, Bavaria, which is consistently at the right of the political spectrum, although I understand that the leading conservative party (the Christian Social Union - CSU) may be losing its traditional 50% grip on the popular vote in the coming election, which may force them into a coalition, and weaken Merkel’s chance to stay in power at the next federal election in 2009. Our friends living here (more on them further down) are somewhat sceptical about this appreciation, perhaps too acutely aware of some of the deficiencies of the city (especially when you moved there, having lived in more exotic places such as Singapore!)
For our part, I must admit, the city is attractive, starting with its airport - Terminal 2, only 5 years old – which offered a very smooth process coming in, and going out. You are also quickly reminded that Munich is BMW’s headquarters: every TV screen at each of the baggage conveyor carries BMW ads! Learning that secondary cities in Germany i.e. Munich and Dusseldorf – there are direct flights linking both to Toronto – are much better transit places than frantic, huge Frankfurt, including to Berlin.
Don’t have much time to “discover” the city, but take an hour to stroll to the old city at the core of Munich (that is another feature of the place: if you are not too far from the center of the 1.6M people Greater Munich, you can walk literally anywhere and not need a car. Sighting major attractions: Im Tal lively street leading to Marienplatz where both the old Town Hall and the very ornamented, Gothic style, New Town Hall, built only at the end of the 19th century, stand. The New Town Hall reminds me of some of the architecture found in Belgium, for one reason or another, the Grand Place in Brussels among others. Then up Residenz Street to reach Maximilian Joseph Platz where some of the major “monuments” can be found – the National Theatre, the Residenz Palace itself, which seems to be under renovation. I understand the Residenz to be the palace which was home of the Bavarian rulers for some 400 years starting in 15th century. Came back down on the other side of this historical and cultural complex that is the Residenz, by Marstall Platz, to find the Cuvilliès Theatre, built in the 18th century and in the view of some people the most delightful Rococo style theatre in the world (I will take their word for it as I don’t have time to visit!) The more intriguing part to me is the modern architecture that stands of the left, the Max-Plante Institute among others, which marries well with the old architecture, an interesting melange that many old cities of Europe – Zurich comes to mind – now offer. Meandered along Orlando Street where is the famous beer parlour HofbrauHaus – groups of young people having a good time outside, already started on OktoberFest which officially only begins tomorrow – back to the hotel, the conveniently-located Holiday Inn City Centre
Visit offers unique chance for Cynthia to see an old friend from Singapore, Cristina Hon, who moved here with German husband Andreas, some 8 years ago. Always liked Cristina, so full of life; a chance too for me to meet finally Andreas, delightful, a trained architect whose work has gradually morphed into that of an executive with a locally-based generic medicament manufacturer, with facilities around the world. Sampled some good French fare for dinner at Rue des Halles; wonderful evening reminiscing our time in Singapore and catching up with our respective life. Had lunch with my business hosts, GEMA, not too far from there, at what is known as one of the better Italian restaurants in Munich, Vianiolo – both quite delicious (http://www.vinaiolo.de/).
