The Aumeister Challenge

Dad trying to get baby to look at the camera

I know I'm not the most photogenic person out there, but Will really outdoes himself with terrible pictures of me....

Homemade smokey miso tofu with avocado sammies. Mmmmmmmm.

Well, it's T-3.5 months for our time left in Munich. So this is when the rose colored glasses come out and everything wonderful about a place beckons you never to go. And there are a lot of wonderful things about Munich. One of the best: beer gardens. They're not just for lushes and Lederhosen, either. Not by a long shot. Beer gardens are the most family-friendly places imaginable in that they've got something for everyone in an incredibly relaxed setting. I know that it is not surprising that Germans are responsible for inventing and popularizing such carefree and casual past-time (zing! it actually is suprising!). Most beer gardens have playgrounds, and all have room to run around, self-service food and drinks, and allow you to bring your own grub as well. The one very near to our flat is called Aumeister and it is fabulous. Imagine: first, we take a walk through the English Gartens, one of the largest parks in Europe, filled with streams, rivers, forest, duck ponds, open fields, and all of it is off-leash friendly for the dogs. Then, on the way out, stop at Aumeister beer garden for giant soft pretzels, beer for pops and fizzy apple juice for momma. Squirmy baby gets to crawl around, meet other kids, and maybe even go down a slide. Divine. (Can you hear Sarah MacLachlan's I Will Remember You in the background, or what?)

So, with this in mind, we are trying to go to lots of beer gardens before we go. Or at least go to the beer garden a lot. It's not in our nature to drive too hard in the venturing department, so it may just be a lot of going to Aumeister. Today is Good Friday, so Will has the day off. And Monday is Easter Monday (or Super Good Monday, as I call it), and he has that day off too. So many beer gardens are on our agenda. Oh Munich, Stay Cool and Have a Great Summer. LYLAS.