Day 1 Christmas Market Test

9:00 Memmingen Munich West International Airport to pick up son J and girlfriend Laura who had somehow again managed to get out of bed in Worthing and be at Stanstead for the 6:30 flight.

Via the bakers in Ottobeuren, back home for breakfast before the one hour drive to Munich, a quick spin past the Olympic Park, the site of J's ice skating performances back in 1993. Park in the centre and stroll down to the area around Odeonsplatz and the former Royal Palace, the "Residenz" and the first Christmas Market. Although still daylight, the atmosphere was starting particularly with many children around looking at the various moving and speaking displays of fairy tales such as Hansel & Gretel. Time for a warming Advocaat with a dollop of cream.

Then stroll down Residenz street trying to decide which Bulgari 30,000€ watch to buy for the Christmas stocking, past the neo-Nazi "Pegida" people putting up their stand for an evening demonstration and being totally ignored by all passers by.

Arrive at THE Munich Christmas Market site directly in front of the New Town Hall on Marienplatz. Well it's THE tourist Christmas Market and we heard far more English (not USA, Canada, Australia etc) voices than German. Having dodged around the lines of Chinese, Japanese and Koreans following high held flags, moved on to the Viktualienmarkt, the year round fresh food outdoor market which at this time of year takes on a christmasy flair and partook of the first Glühwein.

Then back to Marienplatz which was now in the dark looking even more spectacular, for a Bratwurst. Thirsty moved to one of the side streets and a visit to the Hofbräuhaus. Packed but eventually we got a seat,a giant pretzel, a Maß (Litre) of beer and a small pint of wheat beer. They don't sell normal beer in such small sizes.

Then a wander around Platzl, the Irish Pub the two Munich football team fan shops and finally made our way to the car passing the Pegida demonstration stand which was totally empty except for a video running on a big screen which nobody was watching.

Quick 1km drive to the Theresienwiese, the Oktoberfest site which is now holding the Winter Tollwood festival (there is a summer one too). It's  organic, environmental, cultural, small is beautiful, back to basics, animal rights based affair. Loads to eat and drink outside just like a Christmas market and then various tents with more food, 3rd world handcrafts etc etc. All food on the site has to be organic. Theme this year is environmentally friendly mobility - electric cars, car sharing, public transport and bicycles.

Hence the Christmas tree made of old bikes. J happens to be a keen MTB bike rider. There are also several theatre performances, a Canadian circus-musical group and where we spent some time, a tent made to look like a forest with a live performing band, lots of drinking, dancing and talking. Free entry as are most (70%) of the events. There is no charge to get on the site either. After a  Glühwein or three, a quick Flammkuchen (Alsace type pizza?) and off we set home.

Finally home and we had a drink to get over the dehydration caused by the Glühwein. I might add, up until this point I hadn't drunk anything since leaving the house in the morning, as I was driving.

Finally to bed, J and Laura had been up for nearly 24 hours.