Better Late than Never

For those who don't know, I took off to Germany after graduating from the University of Oregon.  This has been an incredible and rewarding experience so far and I feel like the best is still to come.  Armed with a degree, a one-way ticket, and my sister as the start of a network, my goal has been to travel as much as I could and find international opportunity.  So far I've been able to stick to the plan thanks to some extremely helpful individuals.



I probably would never made the decision to come out here if it weren't for my study abroad experience in China last summer.  I can safely say Germany is the exact opposite of China, even more so than the U.S.  I will always remember the first week I spent alone in Beijing when I didn't even attempt to talk to anyone because there wasn't a chance they spoke English.  It was on the third day in the city I soon learned German wasn't a necessity.  My usual 'Sprechen Sie Englisch?' was shot down by a 30 year-old man 'Dude.. this is Munich.. everyone speaks English.'

How is Germany further from China than the U.S.?  First off, Munich is the cleanest and safest city I've ever stepped foot into.  Where else would it be on 'list of things to do' to walk alone through the city park during the middle of the night?  Second, every German I've met is organized and efficient (I'm not just talking about unplugging all electronics and appliances, they also shut off hot water heaters), but they are also outgoing and have a respect for personal time. I think this translates directly into how their society is run.  Everything in Germany just seems to work, and work well.  And the average amount of paid vacation days?  Germany: 35.  U.S: 13.  I have come to appreciate this country very much and have no desire to leave.  In fact the only problems I've had so far is most importantly the fake, prosciutto-you-are-able-to-cook-bacon, and the fact that there is no free water.  McDonald's, BK Lounge, any restaurant whatsoever.. If you want water you have to pay.  For this reason I now drink water with gas, or sparkling water.

I couldn't be happier I experienced china first however.  I've come to respect how much more this country has in terms of livability.  I know I do need to keep in mind that I live in Munich, the city known for wealth and sophistication, but I am thoroughly impressed with how this city runs.  If I had gone to Germany as my first abroad experience, I feel it would be dramatically more difficult to travel to places like China and be able to keep a smile on my face the entire time.




I originally wanted to keep an updated blog as life changed like I partially did with Elliot's Adventure Time; however, due to busyness with life and overall laziness with going through and editing photos it did not happen.  I know if I don't start this now I probably never will, so here it goes.





I currently reside in Munich, the Bavarian capital.  Heavily bombed during WWII, the city has seen drastic reconstruction in the past 60 years.  You'll see in the coming photos that the Germans have not rushed this process.  The city is labeled as a metropolis with small-town charm.  With no skyscrapers and the city center being blocked to all vehicles, it truly feels like one big village.

A map of Munich with some highlights.  I move into my apartment next week and as you can see it is much closer to the city center (circled).

Munich

Marienplatz outside the Neues Rathaus (New City Hall) with the Frauenkirche, aka Domkirche zu Unserer Lieben Frau, (Cathedral of our Blessed Lady) in the background.  You won't notice any skyscrappers in this city of 1.5 million and that's because of a law that says no building can be taller than the church (Frauenkirche) spires. 

Looking down Marienplatz:

To the North, my favorite square in Munich, Odeonsplatz:

Still within the city center, the infamous Hofbräuhaus.  I still have yet to actually sit down and have a beer here. 

One thing that might not come to your mind when you think Munich is Surfing.  On the southern tip of English Garden is a standing wave on the Eisbach which is a man-made river.  Definitely on my list of things to attempt, so far a no go.

Way to the north is Olympic Park which was constructed for the 1972 Summer Olympics.  The hill my friends Matt & Ellie Rego are standing on is actually piled WWII debris.

Flat Life

I'm currently living in my fourth location and move to the fifth in 4 days.  Studios/apartments/roomshares are not easy to come by so I have bounced between living with my sister in 2 different places, a friend, and now a 60 year-old couple.

My sister and her boyfriend moved apartments this summer.  This left them with a double-lease for a month and a half and allowed me to hold down the new place alone for a month. 

I call this the 'Think Tank'

My kitchen for two weeks:

Bedroom:

A view out that back window

And now that I'm out of the way:

Clearly we see that my sister doesn't understand simplicity and leaves me the title of best decorator in the family..

I stayed with my sister until the end of September, but it was time to find myself a new place.  Luckily I had a German friend who volunteered his place for a week while I continued my search. 

3 weeks of spending 1-2 hours a day sending messages on German shared room websites resulted in nothing.  Luckily, half way through the week with the German friend, a Sri Lankan lady responded to my post on the popular English speaking website for Germany, Toy Town Germany. So I moved way out west to the Munich Boonies of 'Laim'

My current room.  And it's at this point I would like to say all of these images have been taken with an 'Ultra-Wide-Angle' Lens.  If you would notice the grey sweatshirt on the door, laid out it would take half the wall, remember it is also a Euro-style slim fit.

All these rules..

Day to Day

So in a different country, not speaking the native language, not living close to my sister.. What do I do with all my time?

Well first of all, I may live on opposite sides of the city from my sister, but for Munich it's only 15 minutes on the S-Bahn so I often stop by.
Besides that, I traveled before my internship began at the end of August and in my next post I will run through those photos.


But for now, I work.


Internship

I started my internship at Schrader Electronics near the end of August.  The company is based in Northern Ireland and develops sensing technologies for the Automotive Industry.  Sounds random but so far it has been a great experience and a good way to get my foot into the door at other international companies.  The office in Munich, well Altomünster, holds a force of about 12 even though Schrader is a company of 1200.  This office has a great small company feel, and since I'm the only intern I feel I've been able to hold more responsibility than a normal internship would offer.



Schrader

Since the office is actually located in a small village 45 minutes northwest of Munich, I don't get home until about 7 p.m.  Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but soon after getting home I get to choose one thing: grocery store, taking care of a random errand, or picking something up from the city.  Only restaurants remain open past 8:00 p.m.





Speaking of grocery stores, walking around the city you couldn't find one if you tired because they are all underground.  Shopping is a little different here.  I had get used to picking the things I needed for 1-2 days.  When I spent 60 euro during one trip my first week I received all types of weird looks.  And thats nothing compared to the usual Winco four week stash-build I'm used to back home.


The underground

The largest store I've seen in Munich at my sister's S-Bahn (subway) stop.

The point is I stay pretty busy during the week.  I head out and meet some new people usually on Thursdays and Fridays but save Saturdays for the Ducks.  I've watched more college football this year than any and I'm proud of it.  It's a great way to feel right back at home (sometimes this is something you need) and I can't wait to be standing in the Autzen student section in 9 days..  feels weird to say.





If I'm not watching football at 3:00 a.m.  I sometimes head out on hikes or just walk around the city.








Night walk in Munich, New Town Hall

Odeonsplatz. Yes every taxi in the city is a new Mercedes Benz..

A Sunday hike from Schliersee to Tegernsee in the Alps

Sunset over Targensee

A day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle, about an hour south of Munich

Mary's Bridge, where the above photo was taken from

Looking over the side

Inside the Castle

A sort of 'hidden' path on the way down alongside a creek.  The guidebook recommended 'couples only'.. glad we didn't listen

Another thing about Munich.. Sometimes it snows before Halloween!

The westend of the city center, Karlsplatz

Small canal leading to Nymphenburg Palace.

Nymphenburg Palace.  Only a 20 minute walk north of where I live (I guess it isn't that bad)

Lone train headed back into Munich

The Frauenkirche

The Hofbräuhaus 

Bare Streets

It's not often you get to see fall colors showing through the snow

The corner my sister lives on

An evening trip to Starnberger See

Snagging the first piece of furniture for my new flat

This is all I have for now.  A lot longer than I expected but I definitely still have more.  For those who asked for photos I hope you got your fill!

I'm definitely leaving out frustrations/problems I've had, but when things work out you tend to forget them.  It hasn't been the easiest at times not knowing where I'm living in a week, which has happened multiple times.  Also the internship was originally only for a month and basically at the end of that month I still did not know what was next.  One week I went from looking into flights to Ukraine to start a 90 day trip to avoid visa issues.. then the next flights for a trip to America because I had secured something for several months.  But all in all I'm loving it over here and I wish to make my stay last as long as possible.

In a couple of days I'll run through some of the other things I got to see while traveling for three short weeks.




PEACE


Elliot