25. Bavaria
Bavaria (Bayern) is without question the most popular state in Germany as well as the largest. It is the most popular because it is the home of Lederhosen (leather pants - usually short) and the Dirndl, the Schuhplattler (slap dance) and a myriad of different regional costumes and customs.
The capital of Bavaria is Munich (München). As well as being an industrial centre including the home of the BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke = Bavarian Motor Works), it also has a distinctly country feel about it. Its location approximately one hour north of the Alps by car provides spectacular views of the panorama from many of the taller buildings in the city centre (Stadtmitte). It also the centre of the famous Bavarian beer producing industry and numerous beer halls where all manner of the local product can be consumed along with a hearty meal. Löwenbräu (lion brew) is probably the best known beer in Munich and the Hofbräuhaus, the most recognised of the beer halls. In late September every year Munich stages its world renowned Oktoberfest (October festival) on the Theresienwiese (fair ground). King Ludwig the First introduced a festival to the world that has lasted over a hundred years and which ushers in the start of winter. For this reason, Oktoberfest curiously starts in September to avoid the early onset of freezing temperatures.
In many of the restaurants of Bavaria, and indeed in many parts of the German speaking world, guests are frequently entertained by appropriately dressed local musicians and dancers performing a wide variety of dances. The most spectacular of these, for me at least, is the Holzhacker (wood chopper) dance where performers hack away into a decent sized log while still dancing and send chips flying all over the restaurant. The music and lyrics are a style of their own and sung in Bavarian dialect (Bayerisch / boarisch or bairisch according to the locals). While mentioning this dialect, I must confess it took me about 6 months to start grasping most of what the locals were saying when they spoke Bavarian. When I bought my VW Kombi (VW Bus) from a student in Munich, I had the vehicle checked for roadworthiness. The local mechanic was almost totally incomprehensible. Finally I was reduced to asking him: Ist das Auto gut oder nicht gut, ja oder nein? (Is the car good or not good, yes or no?) The mechanic (der Mechaniker) didn't even say the traditional German 'ja'. Instead he gave me the Bavarian 'jo'. Despite my minimal understanding, I bought the car and if we don't count a clutch and handbrake cable, my Käfer (beetle) did the lap of western Europe without too many mechanical incidents.
South of Munich, there are many incredibly beautiful towns, lakes, ski resorts, churches, museums and souvenir shops. There are numerous festivals you might encounter along the way as well. Fasching / Karneval (in other parts of Germany) is the most celebrated. Locals take every opportunity to dress up in sometimes very expensive costumes, dance, sing, drink and eat till late in the night. Give it a try some time if you get the chance - you might end up upside down in a garbage truck like I did after attempting to take a happy snap of the local garbage collectors.
In many of the restaurants of Bavaria, and indeed in many parts of the German speaking world, guests are frequently entertained by appropriately dressed local musicians and dancers performing a wide variety of dances. The most spectacular of these, for me at least, is the Holzhacker (wood chopper) dance where performers hack away into a decent sized log while still dancing and send chips flying all over the restaurant. The music and lyrics are a style of their own and sung in Bavarian dialect (Bayerisch / boarisch or bairisch according to the locals). While mentioning this dialect, I must confess it took me about 6 months to start grasping most of what the locals were saying when they spoke Bavarian. When I bought my VW Kombi (VW Bus) from a student in Munich, I had the vehicle checked for roadworthiness. The local mechanic was almost totally incomprehensible. Finally I was reduced to asking him: Ist das Auto gut oder nicht gut, ja oder nein? (Is the car good or not good, yes or no?) The mechanic (der Mechaniker) didn't even say the traditional German 'ja'. Instead he gave me the Bavarian 'jo'. Despite my minimal understanding, I bought the car and if we don't count a clutch and handbrake cable, my Käfer (beetle) did the lap of western Europe without too many mechanical incidents.
South of Munich, there are many incredibly beautiful towns, lakes, ski resorts, churches, museums and souvenir shops. There are numerous festivals you might encounter along the way as well. Fasching / Karneval (in other parts of Germany) is the most celebrated. Locals take every opportunity to dress up in sometimes very expensive costumes, dance, sing, drink and eat till late in the night. Give it a try some time if you get the chance - you might end up upside down in a garbage truck like I did after attempting to take a happy snap of the local garbage collectors.
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| Watzmann Mountain at sunset - Bavaria's 3rd highest peak at just under 3000 metres |
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