Picture Day #2... Let's Go Sightseeing!

It has been a while since we've had a picture day, and there has been lots of sights seen, so I figured some visual aids were in order. (Reminder: Click the pictures to enlarge!)

Let's go to the bank first. I recently got my very first German debit card, and fortunately, the ATM's (or "Automatic Money" in German) are English friendly, and retrieving my funds is not difficult at all.

To the left of the bank, there is a small side street that contains a row of little tent-like shops. These shops range from produce to baked goods. Kind of fun to visit!

So then I hopped a bus/train to Giselastrasse to go to a new craft/toy/hobby Store called "Kunst und Spiel" (Art and Play in English, link below). Here is a famous arch which, as I recall, is reminiscent of WWII.

Back to the train where I got off at Marienplatz to go looking for tea and another store which I was unable to find. Above is Schuhbeck's, which has speciatly foods and tea. The tea store is simply wonderful, and I will be buying tea soon (link below).

This is the Bayern National Theatre. It is very famous, and there is a Ballet Theatre as well (pictured below) which I hope to attend at some point this month (link also below).

Bavarian State Ballet, sponsored by Schuhbeck's. I cannot wait to attend a play.

Antique coin store front. I did not go in, but as you can see there are some very nice coins that they have here. And if you look in the reflection of the glass, you can see a bicycle. Yes, people here in Germany will ride their bike rain, sleet, and snow.

And then down to Maximillianstrasse, where you can see very expensive brand names up and down the street. Anyone who has the slightest interest in fashion, watched "America's Next Top Model," seen "The Devil Wears Prada," and/or listened to any rap song the last 10 years, you will know just how expensive the stores above and below are. Chanel above.

Dior.

Dolce & Gabbana. Always sounds like it's an ice cream flavor to me.

Hermes.

Jimmy Choo, for those who would like a pair of shoes worth more than their first car.

Louis Vuitton.

And at home I have begun the planting process. Updates will occur regularly.

Holly's Super Salad. Recipe below.

Ingredients:

2 cups baby spinach or equivalent healthy lettuce (kopfsalat pictured above)

2 scallions/green onions, sliced into rings

2 large mushrooms, sliced or chopped

3 sun-dried tomatoes, seasoned or unseasoned

5-6 slices of cucumber (optional)

2 balls or patties of falafel (you can find this in your refrigerated organic section)

1 tablespoon olive oil

balsamic vinegar to taste

freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Supplies:

cutting board

knife

bowl

fork

microwave

paper towel

Nutritional Information:

Omega-3's and 6's from the olive oil

B-vitamins, plus selenium, copper, and potassium from the mushrooms

Antioxidants plus vitamins A and C from tomatoes

Protein, fiber, plus calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese from the falafel

Vitamin K, anti-inflammatory components, plus fiber and other nutrients from scallions

Iron plus a series of vitamin A, C, E, K, B2, and minerals such as phosphorus and zinc (plus many others) from spinach

Under 200 calories per serving

Gluten and dairy free

Directions:

Place spinach or lettuce of your choice into bowl.

Take the falafel, wrap it with the paper towel, and microwave on medium heat for about one minute (check on it periodically).

While waiting for the falafel, place the sliced scallions over the lettuce, followed by the mushrooms, tomatoes, and cucumber (if using them).

Take the falafel and crumble over the prepared salad.

Drizzle olive oil over the salad, followed by the vinegar and pepper.

Enjoy!

The salad above is what I normally eat for lunch and it is very tasty and filling for under 200 calories. Speaking of food, there is an organic cafe/restaurant here that deserves mentioning and that is the Daylesfordorganic cafe here in Munich (Daylesfordorganic). I have eaten their curry chicken soup twice now and it's wonderful. Also, one of the regular workers there is American, so he is very helpful when it comes to me ordering. And because I love tea, right near the cafe is the tea store pictured above, and they have a truly amazing, self-serving, loose tea section, complete with raw sugar section (Schuhbeck's).

On the fun side of things, the Kunst und Spiel store I visited was amazing (Kunst und Spiel)! They have everything from yarn to wood and soapstone carving materials, plus they have games, toys, and a selection of all natural clothing and accessories. They even have a section of books for crafting, reading, or learning. There are three floors to this store, and I cannot wait to go back and start learning a new skill to teach the children. Something else I plan on doing is visiting the Olympia-Einkaufszentrum. It is essentially a super mall and it can be looked at here: Olympia-Einkaufszentrum.

As far as the arts, theater, and in-depth sightseeing, I do plan on visiting a number of castles in the area, possibly going to a museum or two, but more importantly, going to see a ballet! When I first saw the Bavarian State Ballet theatre I automatically wanted to see a play. There are some nice performances going on this month, and for me I would love to see either Sleeping Beauty or Daphnis and Chloe (Bavarian State Ballet Schedule, in English). It's not super cheap, a good seat is 60 Euros, but I would still love to see the inside of this remarkable building and watch a lovely German ballet. One other thing I am definitely going to see before March 25 (the end of the exhibit) is the Munich Botanical Garden, which I didn't even know existed until today. And the reason why I will be going before the 25th of March? A very special tropical butterfly exhibit is going on! (Visit, in English: Munich Botanical Garden). Plus, it is very cheap, only 5 Euros per person, and it is very close to the Nympenburg Castle, which I would love to see.

How is the family, you may ask? Well today I mopped the kitchen, family room, main hallway, and dining room, picked up dry cleaning, and did my normal chores. I also went to the grocery store for some much needed food. When I came home there was no one here, and the mother suggested earlier I see where the children's Friday aftercare program is. She is not yet home, and I think it's about time to pick them up, so she may show me next week. The father is away on business, came back from London late last night and has left again and will not be back until tomorrow evening he said. Yesterday I went to a frozen pond with the girls, and picked up the oldest in the evening from her tutor's house.

As of right now things are at kind of a standstill. Slightly boring, and not very eventful. I should be getting my very first full pay stipend at some point today or tomorrow, whenever it hits the bank. I will try to save as much as possible, but with the weather hopefully warming within the next month or so, I may not be able to. There will be lots of sightseeing to be done!

I will hopefully have seen a ballet by the next time I write!

Chao!