Rain, Rain, Go Away

It is amazing how much influence the weather has on one’s day. For example, on a sunny day, I almost always feel more energetic and optimistic, but on a rainy day, unless I am at home curled up with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book or movie, I am most likely sluggish and tired. I think it is the same for many people as well! While this correlation between weather and mood/activity seems rather obvious or un-breathtaking, sometimes I think of how the weather changes arbitrarily, independent of human plans and designs—and then it’s funny to think of how our mood and activities are therefore dependent on whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at us on a given day.

Of course, moods are oftentimes independent of the weather, as it is very possible to be sad on a sunny day or cheerful on a cloudy one. But some activities are certainly dependent on the weather. Last weekend, I traveled to Munich (München) (about 6 hours of train time from Jüich, but more with the connections) and explored the city with a friend. I had heard so many great things about Munich; in the words of one of my friends from home, “You haven’t been to Germany until you’ve been to Munich!” Well, of course I had to validate my three months in Germany, so a trip to Munich was a must!

I was excited for Munich because I thought it would be something like Berlin, being a big city and all (although one of the guys in my lab, who had studied in Munich for several years, declared Munich and Berlin to be very different cities). From the pictures I saw online and in my travel book, I could tell that Munich should be a gorgeous city under a blue sky and a shining sun. Unfortunately for us, Mother Nature fancied giving the city a thorough wash, as it rained on and off all weekend long, mainly on Saturday—our main touring day! =( The saddest part was that most of the places I wanted to visit (like the Nymphenburg Palace, Viktualienmarkt (Food Market), Olympic Park, English Garden, and other parks) were outdoors. Although my friend and I valiantly trekked out to both Nymphenburg and the English Garden (both of which were lovely but quite soggy!), we were not able to see very much because of the great sogginess of our clothes and the discomfort of wet shoes.

Still, despite having much of our plans thwarted by the rain, I think we managed to see a decent amount of the great city. To escape the rain, we, along with large masses of other tourists, took refuge in the museums. The Deutsches Museum, the most highly acclaimed science museum in the world, was fascinating. Of course, my favorite exhibits were the musical instrument exhibit and the chemistry exhibit. Unfortunately, the majority of the music exhibit was closed off due to construction, but we did get to hear a brief organ concert and witnessed a demonstration on a clavichord (a small keyboard instrument played during the Medieval to Classical periods). There was also a splendid selection of keyboard instruments and an array of models of hammer mechanisms. I thought it was neat how at the end of the row, next to all the old harpsichords and cembalos, was a sleek, black Steinway & Sons concert grand from Hamburg. Very lovely!

The chemistry exhibit was especially fascinating because it was like being transported back to Freshman Orgo class first semester of college; I saw reconstructions of Lavoisier’s lab and Liebig’s lab and marveled at the progression of medieval alchemy into what we now know as chemistry (the best science, of course!). I found it quite amazing how even way back in the 18^th and early 19^th centuries, when Lavoisier and Liebig were just establishing the foundations of organic chemistry by conducting their elemental analysis combustion experiments, they were aware of the importance of an inert atmosphere for the success of the reaction and thus devised primitive but apparently effective ways of rigorously excluding air moisture from the reaction flasks. I guess I find this especially interesting now that I am working in such a modern lab as the one in the Forschungszentrum—the stuff I do in my high-tech lab today is what the chemists of history did back then, just with different equipment!

It would have been nice to stay much longer in the museum (I think a whole day could definitely be passed at that museum), as I think we only saw about 20% of the whole place, if not less! But we could not stay because we were starving and began on our pilgrimage to the Hofbräuhaus, or the main brewery of the city. It was such a relief to step into the warm, cheerful brewery where there was jovial music and friendly waitresses. Even though it was 3 o’clock, in between mealtimes, the place was so crowded that I was pleasantly surprised that we managed to find a seat. Though I usually do not eat much meat, I am glad that I tried the Bavarian specialty called Weisswurst, two white sausages served with a sweet mustard sauce and pretzels. That, along with the legendary Hofbräu beer and a warm Apfelstrudel with vanilla sauce afterwards, filled our stomachs up soundly.

After a quick second visit to the palace the next day, we headed back home. Despite the dreary weather, I think I liked Munich and would gladly visit again in the future (hopefully on a sunny day, when the parks would be more enjoyable). The people in Munich seemed the friendliest out of all the cities I’ve been to so far. This must be part of the Bavarian Gastfreundschaft (hospitality) proudly professed in the cookbook I bought from the Hofbräuhaus. (That word for “hospitality” is different in the Bavarian dialect, and it’s driving me nuts that I can’t remember it! –I will post it later) For example, despite the booming business in the Hofbräuhaus, all the waiters and waitresses we dealt with were friendly and polite (very different from many other restaurant services I’ve experienced so far in Germany!), and in the Italian restaurant we visited for dinner, we enjoyed free champagne and antipasta appetizer dishes from the barmaster and chef of the restaurant while we waited for a table to free up. Even outside the food/service business, the locals were also very hospitable, as a couple generously offered us directions when it looked like we didn’t know where to go. Though Berlin is still my favorite city, I would say that Munich is beautiful as well—even in the rain.

About the pictures: The impressive new Rathaus (city hall); the picturesque Karlstor Gate in Marienplatz; a showcase of numerous hammer mechanisms in keyboard instruments throughout the ages in the Deutsches Museum; the beautiful Hamburg Steinway in the organ room–under great protection, of course!; a recreation of Liebig’s laboratory; our meal at the Hofbräuhaus; the massive Schloss Nymphenburg; a friendly swan on the lake in front of the palace who took a special interest in the visitors; the splendid Rathaus at nighttime (sorry for the blurriness!)