Monday, May 27, 2013

In which we watch the Champions League Final in style

Quick quiz.

A slurring German boy with gap teeth approaches you on the street while you’re on your way to find dinner and a TV to watch the Champions League final, and he offers to sell you two tickets to the giant public viewing that night at the Allianz Arena for 10 euros a pop. Do you
A)   Politely refuse and then go on your way.
B)   Consider, but then when his highly intoxicated older friend approaches you and says “I can vouch for him” and “I pray to you with my hands in the fire” over and over again, politely refuse and go on your way.
C)   Realize the tickets are probably fraudulent, but haggle the price down on the off chance they’re actually legit.
D)   Buy them.

Well you see, this is kind of a trick question because normally, the answer is A. But when you’re in Munich for just two nights, and the Champions League final is between two German teams for the first time in history, and you’ve made a vow to say “Yes” to every opportunity that does not involve LSD or human trafficking, you go D.
Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of gap-tooth German boy ticket salesman, but this kind of gives you an idea.
We were encouraged by the shiny silver stickers.

So with potentially fake tickets to the biggest event in all of Munich, we joined the throngs of beer swigging, scarf wearing, flag flying Germans and headed for the train station. After a series of stops and switches that felt much more like being swept along on a Disney ride than responsibly navigating an underground metro system, we arrived at the Allianz Arena just minutes before kick off. Did small German boy and his intoxicated friend hook us up with the opportunity of a lifetime, or set us up for a walk of shame in handcuffs away from the arena entrance? I invite you to see for yourself in this bite-sized documentary with a hilariously inappropriate film noir soundtrack:

(Once again my video is foiled by blogger and slow wifi! 
Let's try this link. Sorry if it doesn't work.)



Anyway, Bayern Munich won, we jumped around and pretended to know the fight songs, and thanks to this scarf Andrew bought me so I’d stop stealing his, I got to look like a real fan.
All the cool kids have them.

SUPER BAYERN SUPER BAYERN HEY! HEY!

The rest of our stay in Munich has been much more low key, thanks in part to the bitterly cold wind and rain we’ve been having. The weather gave us the perfect excuse to pop into an English theatre and watch The Great Gatsby, spend all evening eating authentic German food and drinking half liters at a beer hall (Well, Andrew ate authentic German food), and read a lot on our kindles. Speaking of which, have I mentioned that I am reading the most perfect book? I could not  have asked for a better literary companion for all my adventures than Ahab’s Wife. We are two girls on whirlwind adventures, Una and I. Although hers are heavier on the marriages and scampering up mast poles.
Kindling with Ahab's Wife in the hotel lobby.
Andrew's hardcore Bavarian feast at the beer hall. I got salmon, so I'm not as legit. 
I say goodbye to Andrew and fly out of Munich tonight... Starting my Rome adventure in the morning!

1 comment:

  1. Wow, what an amazing adventure you are having.
    Your writing is so amazing it makes me feel like I am there with you two.
    I hope the next chapter in your journey is even better.
    Viva Italia!
    Ciao.

    ReplyDelete