So on my last day in Europe, I maximized my investment in the Simply Munich museum pass. I’m sure they lost money on me because I completely rocked that thing.
I think I had probably broken even yesterday, and with all the places I used the pass today made it a bargain.
I walked to the Pinakothek der Modern in the Art Quarter but I wished I’d figured out a way to take a tram or bus there. It started raining and took a while to get into the museum due to tram construction in the area. I walked so far that I was tired when arrived. The museum was beautiful and they had a nice cafe. I saw all the exhibitions there. My favorite was the “Type as Art” show. I’m interested in art and use the pictures I take as inspiration at home when I’m painting there.
Across from that museum was a fantastic geology museum housed in a university. Across from the geology museum was the Museum Brandhorst. That had some experimental art that was not too interesting, but a great slide show in a theatre with bean bag mats on the floor, like in Iceland. I did not take a nap today, but it was great to rest my feet and legs for a bit.
From there I took the 100 bus to the Haus de Kunst. The guy at the ticket desk was misinformed, saying that the museum was not on the Simply Munich pass (it was) and would not let me in with the pass. I walked in through the lobby and ate lunch of salad and creamy potato soup in their cafe. I tried to get into an exhibit and they needed my ticket, but the art looked really weird so I didn’t try to fight it and I left.
I was near the Royal Residence and while I was walking around and around trying to find the entrance to it, I saw the Royal Theatre. I breezed through the halls of the palace. It was stunning. I also saw some royal jewels, swords, boxes, crosses, candelabras, dishes, chalices, scepters, crowns, tiaras, and armor.
Then, since I was so close, I had a look at the Hofbrau House, so popular at Octoberfest. I rode the tram back to my hotel. Then I got a screamin’ deal on an expensive prescription I take at a pharmacy. I thought the Germans would be the fussiest about filling my prescription and they gave me 200 tablets.
I ate at the same Thai restaurant because it seemed like the only way to eat a veggie or two.
Now as my trip is winding down, and my epic year of travel is finishing, I was thinking about all I accomplished this year. The first trip was to Maui less than two months after I broke my left wrist. I was so happy to see Lahaina again before it burned.
My next trip was to Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. All three countries were at the top of my bucket list. One of my all-time favorite places is Japan and I can’t wait to go back. In the middle of the summer, I saw family, attended a wedding, and spent a little time in my 50th state: North Dakota! Later I went to the Caribbean for my dive trip. And finally, I went back east to see family before flying to Europe.
I went to nine new countries bringing my total to 58. I’ve now been to all 50 states and Puerto Rico. I made 20 scuba dives upping my total to 36. I studied Spanish both at home and for two weeks in the classroom. I intend to study Spanish every year.
On this trip it looks like most days I walked about 12,000 steps or 6 or 7 miles. Since some days I walked less because of relocation days, let’s say I averaged 5 miles per day. That’s 52 days X 5 miles/day = 260 miles. My knees, legs, feet, and left Achilles are so achy. I’m looking forward to sitting tomorrow on the flight home to rest my feet and legs!
I’m not sure I’d say I made any mistakes as my own travel agent, but I wish I’d checked on the connection to Krakow sooner. Actually, I wish I’d rented a car in that area. It looked easy to drive there and I could have seen more. Rental cars are freedom, but also a burden/risk.
I didn’t need the repositioning night in Reykjavik before my flight. The airport was 50 km from the city and I could have just driven there that morning.
The homestay in Spain was a bit yucky. I could have done all of that better if I had been in an apartment with my own food and closer to the school. I need a month in place in Spain to make real headway in the language. I need to learn all the tenses and oodles more vocab on my own before I take another class. The best part of the class was talking with Pedro, so I’ll always book a conversation rider.
