Sporting news

Today was a day for athletics: soccer, Olympics, the Buckeyes, and a good sport in our midst (me).

We attended our first European soccer game. It was with the second-tier team TSV1860 in the large Allianz Arena. The stadium was not very full, but the loud so-called hooligans made up for it. It was a cold, windy day, but we enjoyed it. On the way out of the stadium, Timo observed that some of these fans may not remember the game. But we limited ourselves to Fanta and water, for those keeping track.

Timo says that for next weekend’s game with FC Bayern, the 70,000-seat stadium will be packed and rocking. Timo’s uncle gave us his 2 season tickets for that game. Doug and Timo will have a good time, I’m sure.

Later, Astrid (Timo’s mom), Timo, Doug and I went to the 1972 Olympic park. I am proud of myself for going up the 300-meter view tower, though I did not go outside. Doug did and got some great photos. Still, I think I was a good sport on this sporting day.

One thing I did not expect to see at the top of Munich´s Olympic tower was a mirror-encrusted piano played by Elton John in the 1970s. There was a display of all the famous rock´n´roll bands that have played at Olympic stadium. Right in the middle was old Elton´s piano.

We also saw the schwimhalle, where Mark Spitz won all his medals in the 1972 Olympics. Now it is a public swimming facility. Timo learned to swim in the same pool where Mark Spitz set world records. Cool!

Doug and Timo are keeping us informed of the March Madness back home via the internet. They watched the Ohio State game tonight. Go Bucks!!!

I can’t say enough wonderful things about our gracious hosts, the Lörch family. Before the soccer game today, we went to Timo’s grandparents’ flat for a traditional Bavarian meal of pork roast, purple cabbage, and dumplings, with an appetizer of leberknödel suppe. I’m guessing on spelling for that one.

Tomorrow, we leave early to travel to Füssen and see some castles. Then we return to Munich in the evening and take a night train to Venice. Timo and Astrid will meet us at the train station, and we can go to dinner at the famous (and touristy) Hofbrauhaus. Funny thing, our hosts have never eaten there! It´s really just us tourists.

Bis später,

Christine