Englischer Garten

Bundled up in some serious layers (i.e. tights, wool socks, and boots on my feet, tights, long underwear, and jeans on my legs, and six layers on my mid-section), Steve and I braved the snow and bitter temperatures to cheer on FC Bayern in the quarter-finals of the Deutscher Fussball Cup at Allianz Arena last night. Within the first few minutes of the game, Bayern München scored its first goal! After each home team goal, the announcer played the Amstel Light song over the loud speaker and yelled a routine with the crowd that went a little something like this (in German, of course):

Announcer: In the fourth minute of the game GOOOOAAAALLLLL for Bayern München by Thomas...

Fans: Müller

Announcer: Thomas

Fans: Müller

Announcer: Thomas

Fans: Müller

Announcer: And the score is now, FC Bayern

Fans: 1

Announcer: SpVgg Greuther Fürth

Fans: 0

Announcer: Danke. (Thank you.)

Fans: Bitte! (You're welcome.)

In the end (after a scary first half), FC Bayern won the game 6:2 to advance to the tournament semi-finals in Berlin. Steve and I survived the cold and celebrated with a warm mug of hot chai in our cozy living room:

Steve, Bundled Up and Ready to Root, Root, Root for FC Bayern

Walking to Allianz Arena in the Snow
(The stadium changes colors based on which "home" team is playing on a given day.)

Me at the Game

Speaking of sports and weather, now is time to announce the sixth reason to come visit Munich:

#6: Englischer Garten

I will never forget the cold and rain-soaked Fall day that Steve came home wishing he took the camera with him to work. "Why?" I asked. Afterall, Steve spent the day reading and researching in the library. After my inquiry, Steve revealed that on his way to the U-Bahn he saw a man biking through the streets with a surf board strapped to his back.

"Only in Munich," we agreed at the same time.

I remember the first time I came to Munich a couple of summers ago and Steve told me that there was a place where people surf in the city. I didn't believe him. My reaction was along the lines of, "Yeah right!" But, one sunny summer day, we biked to the Englischer Garten and watched the surfers try to stay afloat on a wave generated by a water pumping mechanism in the middle of the Eisbach Creek.

Apparently, surfing in the Creek is illegal, but without fail, you will find surfers practicing (and showing off) their skills in the Eisbach come rain, snow, or shine:

Surfers Braving the Eisbach Wave
(Englischer Garten, Fall 2009)

Besides surfer spectating, strolling along the gorgeous tree-lined paths, beer drinking in Munich's oldest beer garden, and sun bathing by the Kleinhesseloher See are some of my favorite activities offered by the Englischer Garten. Larger than London's Hyde Park and New York's Central Park, the glorious Englischer Garten can keep you occupied for hours:

Me and Jana, My Awesome Tandem Buddy
(Englischer Garten, Fall 2009)

Dusk
(Englischer Garten, Fall 2009)