Point of note

One thing in particular has struck me this trip. Something I have never had to consider previously. Many baby change rooms are co-located with the Disabled Toilets. This affords one with plenty of space to manoeuvre a pram if necessary however, I have been amazed at the fact that they are always locked.

As a previous entry attests, finding such a facility in the first place is challenging, to then have to find someone with a key is almost impossible.

As if it isn't hard enough for people with disabilities accessing public venues, but to lock their facilities is unbelievable.

Perhaps there is a very good reason for this...but it escapes me.

Arbeit macht frei

On our last full day in Munich, we decided to make the pilgrimage to Dachau Concentration Camp. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the liberation of most of the Nazi camps throughout Europe. Dachau was known as the parent camp, the "Academy of Terror". It served as a model camp for all of those to follow.

Dachau was opened in March 1933, the first of its kind in Germany. Over 200 000 prisoners of war were marched through the gates declaring 'Arbeit macht frei', 'Through hard work one will be set free'...except there was no freedom to be had.

Dachau served as a internment centre for the Third Reich for 12 years. Following liberation, it was used to house SS officers awaiting trial after the war.

The day of our visit was overcast, grey and windy. There was a definite chill in the air. Whilst thinking that it was cold standing outside in the middle of 'roll call square' in my long pants, socks, shoes, jumper and coat, I was quickly reminded of my lot in life, compared to all those that walked before me.

In the resonating words of a memorial inside the camp...'never again'.

Sprechen Sie Englisch?

The second day of the congress finds us making our way to the north of the city centre to an area known as the university district. Schwabing is a bohemian area favoured by students, artists, writers and intellectuals. It is also the home of Klinikum Schwabing (Schwabing Hospital) and the Kinder Klinic (Children's Hospital).Morning lectures were followed by various workshops in the afternoon. This of course left Daddy and the short one to their own devices, yet again.

Their plan for the day was to head to Tierpark Hellabrunn. To the uninitiated, this was the ever popular Munich Zoo. They were off to see all the 'ammials'.

Traipsing around the zoo, they came across 'ammials' they had never seen before including one large, heavy plated creature that Daddy was convinced was a dinosaur. The Australian exhibit created much enthusiasm with its kangaroos and wallabies.

 

To date, the language barrier hasn't been insurmountable. Many people speak English very well and if not, sign language never goes astray! Daddy however, nearly got himself and the short one into trouble today!

After arriving back at the Kinder Klinic to collect Mummy at the end of the day, he went in search of a toilet with baby change facilities. After walking around aimlessly for some time, he collared a doctor roaming the aisles. He then proceeds to express his need in various ways all to no avail. The doctor kept smiling, nodding and shaking her head. After Daddy's third attempt at putting his message across the doctor exclaimed, "Ahhh". Finally Daddy thought, until he realised that the doctor was starting to clinically examine the short one. "No, no, nappy, change room, diaper, toilet!"

With increasing desperation in his attempts to communicate, the doctor guided him down the corridor, to a counter and directed him to fill out a form. Either they have really strict regulations about the use of the facilities in German hospitals, government red tape had gone absolutely mad or Daddy was about to get the short one admitted to hospital.

Daddy's animated gestures clearly indicated that she was missing the point entirely, until such time as the doctor saw a colleague who apparently had a clue. She spoke in German, he spoke in German and Daddy just looked on bewildered.

"Ahh, a baby change room, yes of course, there is one just here," the colleague kindly offers in English.

All the while, this whole interchange took place outside the door of one said Baby Change Room!

It's off to work I go...

It's 3.30am, I'm wide awake and my ever so thoughtful husband suggests I go and sit in the bathroom and update the blog (so as not to disturb anyone!). Which explains why I now find myself sitting on the throne, tapping away. I must say the beds at the Holiday Inn City Centre are some of the best I have ever slept in - I just wish I could!

It seems the short one is having no such issues. Each night she announces that she is ready for bed around 6pm and then proceeds to tell us to turn the lights out! We then sit in the dark until she conks out. Fortunately this only takes a couple minutes. There is something that can be said for separate bedrooms!

Today marked the first full day at the Congress. Delegates were treated to keynote addresses this morning in the Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) in Marienplatz. The beautiful ball room housed nearly 400 delegates from all over the world.

Following on from these addresses, the Congress split into two venues - one back at Hecksher Klinikum and the other at Klinikum Schwabing School for Sick Children. Local colleagues guided the visitors to either venue via the UBahn. I must say, train travel is so much more efficient without a pram!

This of course meant that the short one had a day with Daddy. They set off for the day to explore the Deutches Museum. This Museum is world reknowned for being the largest and oldest museum of science and technology in the world. Right up Dad's alley. The short one was happy too, as she was able to excitedly point out the clock again to anyone who would listen.

Munich musings

As if by some cruel twist of fate, it was daddy and mummy's turn to wake at 3.30am. Whilst the short one enjoyed a relative sleep-in until 4.15am! This at least ensured we would be the first to breakfast, leaving all those that followed with slim pickings.

Today we ventured north to visit the incredibly beautiful Schloss Nymphenburg, a Royal Palace dating back to 1664. Commissioned by the Elector Ferdinand Maria as a gift for his wife to celebrate the birth of his son, Max Emanuel. The stunning gardens behind the palace beckon you to stroll around its classic French symmetry. Sounds so serene and peaceful doesn't it?  

Well, it may well have been until the short one arrived! Chasing swans, collecting little pebbles, waving at all the locals, declaring to all within earshot that she is 'wunning berry fast' whilst yelling out 'hewwo' to any poor unsuspecting passer by and the picture is somewhat altered. It seems that wherever we go, elderly German men and women want to stop and touch the short one and engage her in conversation. They always do it with a smile, but God only knows what they are imparting. For all I know they could be wishing the fleas of a thousand camels to infest her armpits... but I don't think so...

You may be fooled into thinking that we came all this way to Europe to visit some car shop, but in actual fact it was for a conference. Today signalled the official start, with registration taking place at Heckscher Klinikum Hospital School. Like veteran travellers, we take on the UBahn again and make our way south of the city centre to find this school set in a hospital. This is no mean feat mind, considering at every turn we need to find a lift to move from one platform to another, and from ground level to station level. The joys of travelling with a pram! With the conference sign-on complete and workshops selected, it was time to head home once again on the train back to Marienplatz and the Viktualienmarkt.

Strolling through the Viktualienmarkt was a sensory explosion this time. As our first encounter with the markets was on 1st Nov everything was closed. This time the feel was electric with 140 stalls selling everything from flowers to fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, bread, and of course beer. All the while you are surrounded by amazing smells, sights and tastes. The marketplace originated in 1807 and at their very heart proudly stands a may pole, a relic from medieval times.

Whilst I am sure the short one would have loved to show off her dancing prowess, the time had come for three very weary travellers to head back home...

Caffeine and cars

Our mission today, and we chose to accept it, was to find that other European Holy Grail - a decent cup of coffee. In our aimless wanderings the day before we stumbled across a Starbucks. Our prior experience in the UK and Ireland told us that this was probably as good as it gets. All well and good - but where the hell was it!

Finally on our last turn down various historic alleyways, we fell upon Hofbrauhaus, Munich's most famous beer hall, dating back to 1896. Over 10 000 litres of Hofbrau are served each day. With patrons drinking it by the litre, it certainly adds up! Conveniently it is located directly opposite our Holy Grail.

In all the excitement, Daddy goes in to order the biggest God damm coffee I have ever seen. Apparently they serve it by the litre here as well!

Armed with a couple of new sim cards for our iPhones, Daddy discovers that Starbucks is not only home to half decent coffee, but also free wireless. With the short one comatose again (gotta love that jetlag) we proceed to spend over an hour catching up on email, Facebook, blogs and Google Maps. Another score!

Daddy decides on our plans for the day after consulting Google. There was nothing else for it really. We were in Munich for one reason only, and that was because it was home to the Bavarian Motor Works. Why were we sitting in some coffee shop? It was time to tackle the UBahn and set forth on our way to BMW.

With directions in hand we navigate our way to Olympic Park, built for the 1972 Munich Olympics, neighbouring the home of the greatest car on earth.

For the next few hours, we witness Daddy drooling, dribbling and leaping for joy. The short one was just as excited when she was allowed to ride on a BMW Police bike! The BMW Welt is housed in an architectural masterpiece. The building itself is worth seeing. The Museum is an incredible visual feast also. With the use of sound, lights, futuristic projections, animations and interactive displays one is taken on a journey through all that is the BMW brand. The short one was fascinated in a collection of silver balls held in suspended animation as it slowly revealed the outline of a car. One of the highlights for me was the room garaging all the BMWs driven by James Bond himself!

On second thoughts maybe the whole experience was a little lost on me!

Jetlag 1, Toddler 0

Oh the joys of jetlag! I had been secretly delighted at how well the short one has adapted to the change in timezones and how well she has continued to sleep...until last night!
We have all been hitting the sack pretty early, keeping the routine going of an early dinner, bath, story and bed. The first few nights the short one was waking at 3.30am after 9 hours sleep. We have brought her to our bed and settled her reasonably well until a more respectable 5.30am. That was until last night...

Apparently there is a 2.30am in Munich. Reluctantly we brought her into our bed again in a futile attempt to get her back down. She clearly had other ideas, all the while kindly suggesting to us a plethora of fun activities that all can enjoy at this ungodly hour. After wrestling with what felt like several octopi for well over 2 hours, I reflected on the words of my GP. I began to trawl the depths of my mind to try and remember how to perform a vulcan pinch.

Finally she did collapse in a conveniently placed cross-bed position leaving both of us in a death-like vice grip hanging precariously off the edge.

Jetlag 1, toddler 1, us 0

What's the time?

The short one has discovered an affinity, for some bizarre reason, for clocks.

After consuming our body weight yet again at breakfast, we head out for the day to explore our surrounds. It was hard to reconcile getting kitted out in jeans, thermals, coats and scarves after coming from 30+ degrees. The short one was quite amused to find herself all rugged up like the Michelin Man. But we were glad that we did after stepping outside our cosy hotel.

We very quickly ascertained that Munich pretty much shuts down on 1st November each year. Nothing is open, and I mean nothing. Why? Wouldn't have a clue! We came across the Deutches Museum just nearby, but sadly it is not open on 1st November. The main square in front of this almost 100 year old building is where the short one came across her first beautiful astrological clock that she insisted on standing in front of for ages and declaring to all who passed by, 'clock', just in case they weren't sure.

She was in for another timepiece treat when we ventured further to Marienplatz to see Europe's probably most famous clock. At 11am we were treated to the delightful display of the Glockenspiel in full flight. Our aimless wanderings around Marienplatz led us to discover quaint alley ways, stunning gothic architecture and the 200 year old marketplace, Viktualienmarkt.

We also discovered that our hotel is conveniently located above a mini shopping mall housing a grocery store. Perfect for us to stock up on bottled water, nappies, wipes, real milk (as opposed to the UHT variety) and snacks for the short one. Perfect that is, if it was open!
Hopefully tomorrow we will have more luck.

Toddling through airports

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)are extremely family friendly. From the express passport control processing to the free strollers in the airport, life was made all that much easier. When faced with a huge queue in the arrivals hall at Dubai, we resigned ourselves to the fact that we would be in for a long wait. Very quickly we were ushered off to the empty first class passport control queue as we were with child! Score - she comes in handy sometimes!

What a contrast though, when we arrived in Germany! No such preferential treatment - in fact, NO treatment would be closer to the truth! The queues were no less than organised chaos. All passengers were funnelled into a bottleneck where we quickly stopped.

The short one slept most of the way from Dubai to Munich (there is a God!) - actually,
 'slept' is probably underestimating what actually went on. I would go so far as to say comatose (all without chemical enhancements!). In fact she slept through landing, disembarking, luggage claim, passport control, transfer to hotel all the while being held in a back breaking embrace and of course, ironically she only stirred when we carefully placed her on a comfortable bed in our hotel room!

Our airport transfers were organised through Taxi Airport Transfers. We requested a front facing baby seat when booking online and we were greeted with Hans, our highly efficient and overly organised driver who brought with him three different child seats no less, ensuring we had the correct one! We had a baby capsule, a front facing seat as well as a booster seat.

The Holiday Inn City Centre is conveniently located just a short 10 minute walk from Marienplatz, the main city square. Once we sorted out the hiccup with an extra bed as opposed to a cot, we were pleased to get horizontal for a change. Another good night's sleep has put us in great stead for checking out Munich.

Up, up and away

Finally we have hit the skies and the last 24 hours have proven to be exciting, frustrating, tiring, endearing, busy and teary, with the odd eye roll moment thrown in!

Emirates re-deemed themselves somewhat on check in and we were allocated different aisle seats away from the bulkhead. I am pleased we decided on these in the end as having the facility to lift the arm rests makes an enormous difference when sardined in. Our first leg was great with a bank of four seats just for us. The next leg on to Dubai though was packed. Clearly I had unconsciously blocked out just how tight an economy seat is on an international flight. Though, if you think about it, I suppose I didn’t have to wrestle an extra 13kgs of mobile luggage in my previous lifetimes.

After assuming our seats on the second leg, we were met with our first eye roll, accentuated with an under the breath, 'Oh God!', as the lucky couple who were seated next to us, emerged down the aisle and realised their short straw. With that greeting, I safely assumed we weren't going to be making lifelong friends with our neighbours over the next 8 hours.

I felt somewhat vindicated though, when upon descent the gentleman turned towards me and spoke for the first time throughout the flight. He just wanted to let us know that he was absolutely amazed at how well behaved our little boy was, how exceptional he was throughout the whole flight. This gave me some indication that he probably had never been within such close proximity of a height challenge person before, especially for any extended period of time. Last time I read any gender bias research, children dressed in pink were usually of the female variety!

Sadly we had our first victim of the long haul - our comfort toy, 'Babs', was unceremoniously left behind on the plane. Fortunately for all, the short one is too busy with all the new sights and sounds to have even noticed!

Our stay at the Novotel Deira City Centre, Dubai, has been a highlight so far in our extensive travels of 24 hours. Novotel has a family friendly policy and it shows. From the beautifully friendly reception staff to the welcome children’s gift on arrival, the service has been exceptional. Children under 2 stay and eat free. Clearly Novotel hadn't met the short one when they decided upon this policy. At breakfast, she managed to consume our combined body weight in food. Many more kids like her and Novotel would be noticing a distinct decline in their share price.