a munch-kinn in Munchen

It's 16:55, which means its time for a nap.
This morning, we ventured out to find the infamous Mike's Bike Tours...highly rated as the best way to see the city and take in the local beer scene. However, as we stumbled around Marienplatz, map out and looking lost, we were approached by Lenny, a jovial fellow itching to tell us about Lenny's Free Bike Tours...he said the magic word, "Free!" wow, what a great offer we thought. At first I was a bit skeptical but he sold Carlyn after letting on that he was moving to Austin, what a sucker. Lenny reminds me of John Belushi, big gut and a collegial persona, he assured us that the low stress bike tour would include no hills, a plus given how warm it has been here.
BUT...before the tour even got started, we knew it would be great. While Lenny was giving his pre-ride pep talk, covering the local monuments in Marienplatz, he froze like a deer in the headlights, signaling to a gentleman in the back of the crowd. "Excuse me...have you been on the tour before?...oh wait...You're Rick Steves!!" That's right...Rick Steves, famed travel guide and t.v. personality was hanging around Lenny's bike stand, we knew we were in the right place. After a few pics with the celebrity, we headed out on our Beach Cruisers, dangerous when a pack of 45 American teenagers take to the streets of Munchen. Along the way, we saw several churches, the national theater, National palace of Bavaria, Hitler's stomping grounds, and the incredible English Garden (the largest park in Europe). At the Garden, we grabbed a few brews at a biergarten. I took part in a chugging contest with our fellow tour crew...Carlyn took some pics. The Garden tour included sights of nude sunbathing, river surfing and all around tomfoolery. We met 5 texans, 2 New Jersey Boys and a handful of Illini. Tonight, we plan on heading out to see the city with some of out new friends, should be a good time.
Funny, at 10 am this morning, we walked outside our hotel to find everyone enjoying a nice morning mug of fresh beer...what a way to start the day. Do people work here? as far as I can tell, any work is done with only one hand...while the other holds your beer stein. Happy Memorial Day everyone stateside!