Munich

We really enjoyed Munich. Neither of us had been to Germany before, and we found the people very friendly & welcoming, and the sights of Bavaria are very beautiful. Partially due to the unseasonal rain in Europe no doubt, but everything was very green.

We went to a farmer's market, and were impressed with 10 straight stalls with nothing but meat products. The Germans LOVE their meat! Almost as much as their beer....


Laurence enjoying his first German Beer

Munich is home of BMW, and has quite the complex built out with a museum, factory, & the BMW Welt (World) which is part delivery center for European & North American customers, conference center, and all around shrine for the brand. They have most of the current motorcycle & car models on display at the Welt.


Imagine this in your rear view mirror!

On delivery day we set the alarm and showed up at our 7:30am appointed time (via the train, which wasn't as bad with our luggage as we thought it might be). As we were checking in, we collectively found out that our scheduled drop-off date in Nice is a national holiday in France. After much discussion, we ended up having to reschedule our flight for a day later so the French could enjoy yet another holiday - happy we could help!

Around 9:30, we were led down the stairs to the car, as it rotated like a really expensive Rotisserie Chicken. After posing for a photo or 2, being walked through the features, getting the ipod connection setup, and our host adjusting the bass on the stereo ("MJ needs more bass"), took a victory lap around the delivery center with the stereo blasting, and drove out the German engineered garage doors onto the streets of Munich.



Time to pose


What other time do you get to see 0.0 miles on an odometer? They truck the cars across the street so they don't have to register them.

After a drive around the block... we parked so we could check out the Museum and spend our vouchers at the restaurant and gift shop (hint, we are still cheap) before heading to the Alps.


Models through the years


The design process for the cars still starts with molding clay at full size. After a design is chose from many competing options, the information is measured & scanned and design work moves to computers


1968 BMW 2002 - Laurence's dad & Jenn's grandparents had that model for many years


huh?