So Long, September

Sorry to see you go. It was a wonderful month - good weather most of the time and wonderful bicycle days. The first week we were still touring along the Alpe-Adria bicycle path. We returned on September 10 and since then the time has just flown.

Today again sun, but definitely not that kind of warm sunny day we were having a month ago. It was sunny and chilly. I already had my layers on and long bicycle tights. For no particular reason, I decided to cycle to Munich's soccer stadium, the Allianz Arena. It was a pleasant 24km round trip, first through city streets that I wasn't familiar with, then to the Fröttmaninger Berg.

The stadium has a seating capacity of 75,000.

When there is a game, the plastic panels are illuminated in the colors of the guest team.

What I didn't know before I rode my bicycle out to the Fröttmaninger Berg today:

What is now a recreation park was in the 1950's and 1960's a gigantic garbage dump that was polluting its surroundings. 12 million cubic meters of garbage had been deposited there. Although a partial restoration was started in 1973, it was not until the 1980's that the mountain was completely landscaped and the landfill could be closed.

If I had known that, I would have taken more pictures. Interesting how information makes things you see more meaningful. What I saw when I was there, uninformed, was just a hill, trees, grass and paths. Now I see much more.

The art installation Sunken Village by the artist Timm Ulrichs takes up the theme of the disappearance of Fröttmaning; a replica of the Holy Cross Church is shown almost submerged in the Fröttmaninger Berg.

On the way back through the English Garden, I passed by the lovely Aumeister beer garden. It was full, Oktoberfest atmosphere everywhere. It was the first time I have ever seen or heard live music there, and with a harp, too.

Banjo and harp - a new version of the usual Bavarian brass band