bowlinger qua bowlinger

I figured I would share a few thoughts on my recent trip to Europe. I am not sure how to best organize this post other than mention some of the things that were interesting to me or that I would recommend.

 In Germany, they have this thing called a Floss (it actually has the funny German S symbol that looks like an F but it’s said like floss). For about 130 euros you get passage on a wood raft made out of logs down the Isar River. The whole thing takes about 4-5 hours and you are supplied with several kegs of beer, some bottled beer, and a band. The bands range in style from traditional leiderhosen fare to a Ramones cover band. How awesome is that? Riding down the river with unlimited beer, no life jackets, and a German Ramones cover band. Why they can’t do this in America is beyond me.

The trains in Germany are known to be among the best in the world. However, the real fun was on the Czech train from the border of Germany to Prague. For 50 euros for two people (so 25 each) you can get from Munich to Prague and can ride the Czech train, complete with shirtless guys walking from car to car and making announcements that you can’t understand. Also, the six person family with the pet mouse in a glass cage that they held in their lap was priceless. I loved imagining the great mouse escape on the train. The official train ticket checker also lied to passengers on the train and told them there were no bathrooms (there totally were) and that they should get off at the next stop because the train would stop for over 10 minutes. The train left in less than 5 minutes so I can’t figure out whether he just wanted to get rid of people or not.

Prague was wonderful however, and I will definitey go back to see more of it in the future.

Munich’s big six breweries rankings: After several stops and samples of all the Big Six, my rankings are Paulaner, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Lowenbrau, Spaten, and Hofbrau. The Paulaner is always just incredibly smooth and golden. The Augustiner is very similar with a bit of a bite at the end. H-P was a surprise with a fuller, more wheaty flavor. Lowenbrau I think is a fine beer, but not as good as the first three, less character. Spaten is an even wheatier version of H-P. And Hofbrau is just my least favorite.

Although I do not have a sacher or linzer torte to report on, I did have large quantities of schnitzel (pork breaded and fried in butter, who doesn’t love that) and leberkase (hot meatloaf type ham product - sounds gross but is totally delicious with mustard on a roll) and roasted chicken and sauerbraten.

Last 5 posts by maya

• Lately I've been thinking about... - November 16th, 2008
• I AMsterdam - September 3rd, 2008
• sightings - August 20th, 2008
• need help! more food and the law issues - March 8th, 2008
• an honest mistake - December 20th, 2007