Catching up: Munich, Memories and Museums (w/ images)

First I'd like to explain my lack of posts over the last week. Last week, we continued our trip by traveling from Prague to Munich- staying at the Wombat's Youth Hostel for 6 nights. The hostel was outfitted with computers which lacked any USB port- the only way I can upload images to this blog (unedited images mind you).

Yesterday, we took two trains to get to Paris and I have found an internet cafe in which I can now upload images. Without further delay...


Surfers in Munich's enormous English Garden.

Paraphrased from my journal-
July 4, 8:06 AM (Friday)
Munich- I just realised that it is the fourth of July. Weird I forgot about that until I woke up and checked my watch. Two days ago, a day after arriving in Munich, I ran into another old friend of mine. While having drinks with my travel mates, Ian and Dwayne, in the Wombar (the trendy pub on the lobby floor our our hostel), a tall scruffy man with a stained white shirt and dirty messy hair walked up to me and asks, "are you Beck?"


The stairs in our hostel.

I was taken back by 1)we were the same height, thus I was looking level at his eye (not usual for me) and 2)did I mention i was in Munich, Germany and this random guy just said my name?

"Yes I am," I replied.

"I'm Greg Keeney."

The name instantly registered in my brain with an image of a short twig-like blond boy in an over sized boy scout uniform (moms buy them big so you grow into them), a shirt that was never tucked in. This did not look like Keeney- we typically go by last names in Boy Scouts, except the case of myself, since for some reason 'Beck' is easier than 'Diefenbach.' Go figure.


The church with 'the devil's footprint.'

I have not seen Keeney for about 5 years, ever since i finished high school and left Troop 14, of San Francisco. Last I remember him, he was about 5'3" (now easily 6'2") and had an extremely unique raspy voice (still had it). I made a quick search around his face for anything else recognizable to verify his previous statement. There was a moment there where I actually didn't believe this 20-something guys standing in front of me. As though the prospect of an impostor attempting to con me with the story of a long-lost friend was actually possible.

The voice is what did it for me. No one else had this sound, and half a second later I initiated the only expression one can think of when this predicament arises: astonishment.

I find out he's been working as an intern in Europe for 6 months and is leaving to go home (the U.S.) the next day. When I heard this I knew I needed to spend the evening with Keeney recalling old stories of Troop 14, as well as fill in the 5 year gap from the present. Keeney invited my to a beer hall on the western side of town and I immediately agreed.


Making friends in Mubich beer gardens is very common.

It was a nostalgia-filled evening in which both of us acknowledged our interest in getting back involved with the troop in some form.

We ended back where we started, in our hostel's bar, and separated with well wishes and hopes to run into each other again- not likely in Europe.


Father and daughter rubbing a stature for good luck- missed the name of the statue.

July 4, Afternoon
Munich- Yesterday, Dwayne, Ian and I visited the Deustche Museum on the other side of the Munich. Munich is small enough you can walk anywhere you want to go, as we did this day. Literally translated, Deustche Museum means 'German Museum.' But a more accurate name would be 'German Science Museum.' It is packed with German innovations(and some non-German) covering tons of topics from musical instruments to space exploration.


The incredible mining exhibit in the underground levels of the Deutsche Museum.

The museum teaches the timeline of science with the origination, development and current status of most technologies used today as well as obsolete tools. It holds the first Diesel engine (which got a surprising 20 horsepower) and a fully intact German U-Boat military submarine.

The half a dozen floors of knowledge was very overwhelming. We easily lost track of time and before we knew it we were being escorted out because the building was closing for the night. We all felt we had missed so much that we wanted to see. Ian and I never got to experience the nearly full-size coal and precious ore mine in the basement levels of the building. Dwayne never got to experience the bio-chemistry section as well as many others. Although we only have a few days left in Munich, we plan on going back and seeing what we missed. Good thing I brought my old college student card, resulting in some fantastic Museum entrance discounts!



Later in the week we also visited the Dachau Concentration Camp located a few miles outside of Munich.


Dwayne visiting the prison chambers of the Dachau WW2 Internment Camp outside of Munich.


The Jewish Memorial site at Dachau.



Once again, sorry for the later than normal post. I will make up for lost time with another Munich post soon, and hopefully catch up with Paris experiences before we leave!


A tired Ian on the train leaving Munich, Germany for Paris, France.