GERMANY'S UNEXPECTED DELIGHTS
OFFBEAT MEMORIALS
KURT EISNER DIDN'T WARRANT A STATUE?
Kurt Eisner was a socialist journalist who organized the revolution to overthrow the Bavarian monarchy. He declared Bavaria to be a free state and republic on November 8, 1918 and became Bavaria's first Prime Minister. His political career was short-lived when he was assassinated and his memorial (reminiscent of a CSI chalk outline) lies on the sidewalk where he fell near the Promenadeplatz.
MICHAEL JACKSON MEMORIAL
or who the #$%@ is Orlande de Lassus?
When you think of offbeat, Michael Jackson may come to mind. Here in Munich, across from the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, there is an unofficial, offbeat, makeshift memorial to the King of Pop. The site "popped" up soon after Jackson's death, and despite numerous attempts by some locals to remove it, the pictures, personal notes, flowers, balloons and mementos seem to change daily. The statue that rises above this ever-changing collection of fan love is of the composer, Orlande de Lassus. I'm not sure what connection Jackson has to de Lassus, or to the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, but I believe this tribute will remain a part of Munich culture for a long time. At least I hope so!
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BACHELORETTE PARTY - MUNICH STYLE!
GOOD LUCK LION - SYMBOL OF BAVARIA
The lion symbol is predominant around Munich and a symbol of the Bavarian monarchy. While looking at this lion statue in front of the Residenz (a former royal palace - now an amazing museum), we noticed all pedestrians touched his nose as they passed by. Some rubbed it, some pinched it but most people just touched it briefly.
Well, we had to ask and we heard a few variations of the legend surrounding this custom. Apparently, they all have to do with GOOD LUCK! You either touch one lion's nose (there are four lion statues in front of the Residenz) OR touch any three lions' noses but definitely not four. Either way, I decided it wouldn't hurt to make a wish too, so I wished that I could return to Germany sooner rather than later.
Well, we had to ask and we heard a few variations of the legend surrounding this custom. Apparently, they all have to do with GOOD LUCK! You either touch one lion's nose (there are four lion statues in front of the Residenz) OR touch any three lions' noses but definitely not four. Either way, I decided it wouldn't hurt to make a wish too, so I wished that I could return to Germany sooner rather than later.