Auer Dult

Stefan and I went on a bike ride where he reluctantly joined me to the Auer Dult. After last year I was pretty fortunate, but the carney foods always work in my favor to win him over.

There are so many beautiful details hiding amidst the oddities. I love the covers on these old books. They would look beautiful framed or as a large collection.

I know Stefan was counting his blessings again that we took our bikes and couldn't buy any of the whiteware. I'm always impressed by the large variety and how inexpensive things are. The fish saucier was one of my favorites, but I never really make any sauces, so it would be pointless for me to buy it.

Since this is the largest crockery market, I always look for cookie jars for my Grandma that collects them. There are plenty of 'Rumptöpfe' - which are used for making a fruity liquored punch, however it's really difficult to find a cookie jar. There are so many beautiful designs, but I guess I'll have to commission one of the artists if I want a cookie jar.

As we walked around Stefan slowly gained a bit of excitement once he saw the antique maps, which we both love. I searched through the large box and came up with one of the Alps, where Stefan grew up, and another of Mid-West America, where I'm from. They are both from 1862!

I'd like to frame them to make a collage of important places in our lives. It looks like I'll have to track down Iceland and the Maldives as well.

If you're in the Munich area, the Auer Dult runs until the 3rd of May.

There are also the Jakobi-Dult from 25 July - 2 August, and the Kirchweih-Dult from 17-25 October.

All are located at Mariahilfplatz, which you can get to by taking the U2 Frauenhofer / Klenzestraße, Tram 27, Bus 52 or Bus 152.

Spring details

Stefan and I decided to spend the weekend enjoying the terrific weather. We went on a bike ride and along the way stopped to admire the flowers, grab some ice cream, visit the Auer Dult festival, and of course, no glorious weekend is complete without visiting a beer garden.


My first year in Munich I was excited to visit the Auer Dult after the ladies from the international women's group raved about it. My initial experience was confusing. I expected loads of antiques, wonderful kitchen items, and the illusive German cookie jar for my Grandmother.

Instead I was surprised to see a lot of dental tools, miracle slicers and cleaners that are hawked on TV, cheap jewelry, ladies under garments, and things made from wood. I did find one vendor selling cookie cutters in every imaginable shape, so it wasn't a lost cause.

The German festival foods and children geared activites are also never in short supply at these events, which makes for a good time for families.


This year I knew what I was getting into and had a better time. I also learned this 9 day festival is the largest crockery market in Europe. Stefan was probably very thankful that we had brought our bikes because one of the crockery stands had a magnificent array of white dishes in nearly every shape and size.


After strolling through the mass humanity of the Auer Dult's last day, we headed to the near by Nockherberg Biergarten for a radler (a helles beer mixed with a sprite type soda).

I am very happy that spring is here and that Stefan and I will have the month of May together while he is studying. I will also be studying since I begin my next 100 hours of German tomorrow. I hope I have some characters in my class like the last couple. One of my favorites was Miltiadis, the older Greek man who worked at a paper factory and would bring me random samples. He lived in Munich for 15 years and was just getting around to mastering the language. Everyone has such a fascinating story.

Auer Dult

It's the time of year again... lots of kitschy tschotskes for sale amidst carney rides and German fair foods at Mariahilfplatz.

The vendors tend to be the same with many of Munich's antique shops being represented. I always appreciate the paper products - old maps, photos, and occasionally interesting books.

I spotted some chairs similar to the ultra Bavarian looking ones at the Alpentraum. With a couple layers of bright paint they could be modernized in no time. They were 65€ each or 4 for 200€... that is if you can resist the temptation to purchase that lovely antler chair next to it. I don't even know where someone would get inspiration to make that monstrosity.

I didn't leave empty handed though. I bought Josh + Mieka a couple of soft pretzel squeak toys. I'm really looking forward to visiting them in June!

cześć, Poznań!

Last year we learned about the incredible lampiony Poznań, which is a one night extravaganza of glowing paper lanterns floating through the sky during the summer solstice of Noc Kupały (also called St. John's Night). 

This looked to be too unique and wonderful to miss, so we booked our flights and hoped hotel prices would be outrageous with the UEFA Euro Cup going on - thankfully, they weren't. It was our first visit to Poland, which is also home to the Pierogi and St. Martin's Croissants or Rogale świętomarciński. 

Our favorite afternoon was spent at the courtyard of Cocorico. It looks like it should be a movie set, because it's so picturesque. I'd love to have a garden like that! We did plenty of sampling the local cuisine, which was affordable, yet delicious. 

The Rogale świętomarciński croissants have to be certified and receive a special poster or seal to authenticate it. Since they are traditionally eaten for St. Martin's Day (November 11th) they are quite heavy and more of a winter food, which may explain why they didn't seem advertised. We ended up finding them at a small pastry shop across from the Bernardyński Square market.

There were a lot of tiny markets dotting the city, which were fun to explore like the locals. 

The produce was plentiful and beautiful and it did appear potatoes are as popular as could be expected with the popularity of pierogis. 

Poland is extremely Catholic and in Poznań many of the streets are named after saints. We learned that the Poles love rules and waiting at cross walks / red lights, although cleaning up after their dogs wasn't a big priority. The UEFA fan fest was also another place we heard about rules. Since we were going to the Noc Kupały directly afterwards I had two camera lenses in my bag and had to go back to the hotel to leave one before we could enter. 

Early in the evening, before the lantern festival began, we went to purchase our lanterns. Since they were attempting to achieve a Guinness World Record things were very regimented. We were only allowed to purchase as many lanterns as we had IDs, so that was 1 each for 5 złoty (4.25 złoty = 1 €). There were 10 colors to choose from, but we both opted for the classic white and we received a wrist band that showed our lanterns were "official". 

Shortly before the main event people were selling "illegal" lanterns on the streets for 10 złoty, so I'd guess that even with the lanterns that were set off before the official time there were plenty more than official counts. 

We didn't really care if it was part of the Guinness World Record for most lanterns simultaneously, we were simply happy to experience it regardless.

There were many firemen, paramedics, and safety measures put into effect. With the exception of several people who had to stomp their lanterns out after they caught fire, things seemed to go flawlessly. 

Since it rained throughout the day before the grass and trees were wet, which probably helped. 

It was so unreal to see thousands of lanterns in the sky at once, which all happened very quickly. 

The city didn't seem accustomed to having tourists, but everyone was very friendly. The odd thing is English is more readily used than German, even though Poland borders Germany. 
Other things to do / see in Poznań:
Visit the Stary Browar mall - built on the grounds of an old brewery and at one point it was voted the best mid-sized mall in the world. It's gorgeous and the locals definitely seemed to enjoy it. 

We didn't have too much time to also visit Lake Malta or the Morasko meteorite nature reserve, because we were only there for a long weekend, although both would be at the top of my list if/when we get back. 

I'm planning to try to make the Rogale świętomarciński when they are more seasonally appropriate. Hopefully the Auer Dult or one of the spice shops will have some of the essential white poppy seeds. 

Munich in September + October

Rather than writing about everything we've been up to I figure people enjoy photos more anyway.

Here's some of the fun September and October brought our way...

September

visitors decked out in their Bavarian best at the Oktoberfest

brotzeit

plenty of pretzels and beer

Münchener Kind'l street art

October

views from the Gaisberg

Auer dult

Autumn leaves

incredible weather

... as for November, we were once again traveling and trying to decide where to spend Christmas. 

Mozartplatz

At the Auer Dult I found a fantastic old book about Salzburg. It's given me so much more information to include on my tours that I haven't found anywhere else. The information is probably more exciting for me than my tour groups, because I actually get to see the excavations and changes.

I can always tell if people are interested in the topic by how much their eyes are glazing over or if they wander off to take photos. Often times English is not their mother language or they do not speak English very well, so I'm sure it's exhausting for them to take everything in.

Something new that I learned: During one of the WWII bombings (16 occured from 1944-1945) that destroyed 40% of the city, Mozartplatz was hit, however it also revealed 6 foot thick walls of a Roman temple beneath the ground. There was also an inscription stating 'Here lies happiness, let no evil enter'. This city really has so much history and I wish it came with glass floors.

These are the things I ponder while I admire the little details and enjoy Demel ice cream at Mozartplatz (this time I had raspberry and grapefruit basil). If you go to Salzburg you must try their ice cream - it's nothing short of amazing. The flavors are as intense as the colors, but they are not saccharine or overly sweet. Even my tourists full heartedly agreed that it's delicious.

All of the small things do make Salzburg feel like a city where a musical could burst out on the street at any minute - and not just because of the Sound of Music. The blue skies, the little birds, the open plazas, the colorful flowers, and the charming cafés give it a movie set feeling.