Innsbruck/Munich 9/08
Innsbruck, Austria - Within the entire Province of Tirol some 180,000 cattle, horses, sheep and goats spend their summer – approximately 120 days – on the lush green, high Alpine pasturelands.From September to early October the herds are brought down from the high Alpine pastures. The cattle wear elaborate headdresses for the occasion, and the clanging of cow bells accompanies brass bands. In Tirol this day is deeply rooted in tradition.
Innsbruck, Austria - Innsbruck's old town consists of many medieval buildings. In the distance you can see the Goldenes Dachl - "Golden Roof." The roof consists of 2,738 gold-plated copper tiles. It was constructed for Emperor Maximilian I to serve as a royal box where he could sit in luxury and enjoy tournaments in the square below. It was completed at the dawn of the 16th century.
Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck, Austria - Goldenes Dachl.
Innsbruck, Austria
Munich, Germany - Produce at the Viktualienmarkt. The Viktualienmarkt is Munich's most popular market. You can shop for produce/flowers, and finish it off with a beer and goulaschsuppe.
Munich, Germany (Viktualienmarkt)- Seasonal bunches of hops for sale.
Munich, Germany (Viktualienmarkt)-
Munich, Germany (Viktualienmarkt)-
Munich, Germany (Viktualienmarkt)-
Munich, Germany (Viktualienmarkt)- The May pole. Each town has a pole, and the poles commemorate each town's trade specialties, patron saints, etc. The poles are taken down in early April, for painting/cleaning, and put up by May 1st. It is tradition for a town to steal a neighboring town's May pole, and hold it ransom. Usually beer is a large part of the ransom.
Munich, Germany - Neues Rathaus "new town hall."
Munich, Germany - Neues Rathaus "new town hall."
Munich, Germany - Neues Rathaus "new town hall."
Munich, Germany - Frauenkirche. They lowered the chandeliers to the level of the pews for cleaning.
Munich, Germany - Enjoying a beer and pretzel at the Hofbrauhaus. The Bavarians make the best pretzels, period.
Munich, Germany - Serving beer at the Hofbrauhaus.
Munich, Germany - Inside the Hofbrauhaus. This is only a fraction of the building. If my memory serves me right, this place can hold 8,000 people at once.
Munich, Germany - The Hobrauhaus band is always playing.
Munich, Germany - Just down the street from the Hofbrauhaus. These old streets are beautiful.
