‘05 Germany

This was the first sight I came across when I left the airport in Munich. I waited under this canopy for Chris to meet me. Desperately need a cigarette, I worked up the nerve to ask another for a light. I had completely forgot the first phrase I had translated into German, knowing that without a lighter at the time I would need it (”May I use your lighter?”). Luckily I hadn’t needed it and I was able to motion my request to another smoker without the need for words. I had hardly recognized Chris as he arrived shortly after, given his long hair.
While walking around Munich we came across an odd display next to the sidewalk. It seemed to be like a robotic performing arts display. Perhaps artists are subsidized in Germany as well, like from some NEA equivalent organization. The highest arm had a bowl for a hand and would repeatedly scoop up water, and then slowly pour it in random ways onto the sidewalk. The other arm would pick up already filled cups of water, pour them out, and then throw the cup away. Odd, but interesting.
After hearing Anna’s parents rave about the ceiling of this particular church, Chris and I decided to see it. When standing at a designated point in the church, images of buildings rising up into the sky, as they normally would. But when you stand at another marked point, you see a different perspective where the buildings seem to be collapsing. Its funny how that perspective is located at the altar where the priest would be. There were also some skulls that were decorated with jewels and lace. Kinda creepy, but picture worthy I suppose.
While in Ingolstadt we walked around a nearby park that contained various castle like buildings. According to Anna I think they had served some military function long ago. The white building in the distance is a medieval army museum we visited days later. The park was a nice place to play a little “B”, enjoy the open space and relax.
In other areas of the park we came across this mysterious door. I assume some troll probably lives there. The playground was pretty neat, as far as playgrounds are concerned. They had a slide, of which the tubing actually went into the ground at one point and out at another. The fountains we came across soon after proved to us that while you can’t squeeze blood from a stone, you can still get a decent amount of water. The last picture is of a river that runs along the edge of the center of Ingolstadt and separates it from the park.
Chris’ Ingolstadt guide book reminded us that without cash, we might end up like this guy. This is the room that Chris and I stayed. It was a rented room from Herald, a friend of Chris’ relative. Our stay there had many awkward encounters.
We went to Eichstatt to see a museum that contained 1 of 5 fossils of archaeopteryx, the oldest bird. The museum included various other displays which seemed to blurr together as time went by. Chris lightened the mood at times like at a display of a gecko fossil when he remarked “He won’t be selling any insurance anytime soon.” The aquarium housed interesting sea life. The pictured fish seemed like a grumpy submarine. The main display of archaeopteryx showed more detail than i had imagined, such as tiny feather imprints.
Chris, Anna and I walked around after the museum. I enjoyed the sights and peacefulness in the area. We came across a small chapel that Anna wanted to explore and her curiosity had almost interrupted an intimate wedding that was taking place. Afterwards we found a place to sit and hang out.
Some pictures outside of the apartment we stayed at in Ingostadt.
We visited the army museum which was also a castle. The pieces on display we just as interesting as some of the rooms that were used. There were not many staff members, so at times there were people just standing in the room and following us into the others. I’m not sure if they were there to answer questions, or to make sure nothing was to be damaged. Perhaps after I suggested trying on the armor and dueling, they were wary of our presence.
Kristin met us in Ingolstadt and we went back to the park. I thought this was a neat fountain and also managed to get an interesting candid shot of Kristin and Chris. Posing for pictures seems to artificial and fake to me.
It was probably our third night at this bar and we had already been there an hour or so. All of a sudden someone began handing out sparklers. A unique sight I wanted to capture. The shot of the building was one I felt like taking while we were having lunch. I found the building to appear very distinct across the sky.

We returned to Munich for the weekend and spent…too long…trying to find the hotel, which everyone played a part in lengthening the search. A neat building, an odd modern hotel whose windows make you think you are going to fall off the edge of the building.
Various pictures while walking around Munich.
Anna is a bartender at a local bar around the block from her apartment. During my last night we hung out here. A nice low-lit place thats pretty laid back.