May 14, 2016 Day 8:
Today was a rainy trip to Munich.  We started by getting on the train to go to Munich.  I never went on a train before, so it was a really exciting thing for me.  It felt just like riding on the train, but it went faster.  at one point, we went through an underground tunnel, and the train caused a vacuum like response, so for about 6 seconds, our ears needed constant popping; it was a strange experience.
We reached Munich and the train station there was so cool. It looked like a mall on the inside and it was so lively.  However, that may be due to a soccer game in Munich.  What else astounded me was the fact that there were more underground shops and walkways we could use instead of using the walkways on the street.  We went straight to the square where we saw the town hall.  I love how old the building looks and the gothic architecture.  I noticed the glockenspiel and thought it looked sort of out of place.  It was about 11 when we got to the plaza and church bells were ringing like crazy.  Personally, I thought it was pretty cool how all the bells sounded so different but at the same time could sound so good together.  Once the bells stopped, the glockenspiel started playing music.  the top half of the scene started moving around a couple at a table.  After that, some men started dancing in a circle.  All this happened while the music continued to play.  It was interesting to watch since we don't have anything like that in Pittsburgh.  It was a 15 minute process, and it was interesting for the entire time.  When our tour guide met with us shortly after, she told us the glockenspiel was the story of the Duke of Bavaria getting married to a French royal in the 1500s.  It was very interesting, and it was kind of strange to see the entire plaza staring up at this glockenspiel.  It was the only time the plaza seemed to stop.
Our tour guide took us on a tour of some of the major points of Munich, including St. Peter's church, the 5 courtyards and the hanging gardens of Munich.  My favorite was the gardens of Munich since they were so beautiful.  It was a perfect mix of greenery and lights.  It was great how the plants could grow so long indoors.  I have a thing about plants; I think they're lovely.
Once we left the guide, we got free time in Munich.  I got to go to a restaurant near the main plaza and got Spatze.  It was kind of like Mac and Cheese, but instead of pasta noodles it had dough balls.  It was very interesting and incredibly delicious.
We got to do some shopping and I bought a German flag for my dorm room and a pin with the Bavarian crest on it.  I'm excited to have finally been able to buy souvenirs since we've been so busy lately.
Though it rained in the morning, it was sunny while we were walking around shopping.  We met back with the group, and went to a burger place.  It to a while to get our food, but we got it as the first table was finishing.  The chicken burger isn't as good as it is in America, and the ketchup is far sweeter here.  We walked back to the train station in the rain and traveled back to Augsburg.