After lunch, the 2019 Cohort hits the road with a bus tour (with many stops to get a closer look) of Munich. Michael, our guide, gives us taste of the city we will call home for the next two days. We are amazed at the rich cultural history of this city, how much of our modern American entertainment industry has roots in Munich, and the bold strength of the Bavarian people to face their dark history and use it as a constant reminder of why these evil deeds should never be allowed to happen again.

Munich has a larger art scene than any other city in the world. Name the type of art and there is a museum and/or center for it in Munich. While we did not have time to visit these museums, many of them (and their public art displays) were pointed out while en route to other locations.

The name to remember when visiting Munich is Wittelsbach (Michael gives you a "goodie, goodie, goodie" for remembering the name!). Wittlesbach is the royal family line that has ruled in Bavaria for centuries. The very first Octoberfest was the wedding of one of their Crown Prince Ludwig. And, their family line lives on today; Franz, Duke of Bavaria currently lives in Nymphenburg Palace, the former summer residence of the Kings of Bavaria.

In addition to causing the first Octoberfest, Ludwig Wittlesbach was also a serious fan of Greece and Greek architecture. He commissioned replicas of some of the most famous ancient Greek structures to be erected in Munich. Koenigsplatz ("King's Square") is modeled after the Acropolis in Greece. The three structures are the Propylaen (gateway), the Glyptothek (a museum of sculptures), and the Antikensammlungen (museum of antiques).

American entertainers have roots in Munich as well. Diana Ross got her start in Munich. The song Dancing Queen by ABBA premiered in honor of the wedding of King Carl Gustaf of Sweden and Silvia Somerlath (of Germany) in 1976. And, strangely, there is a homage to Michael Jackson on the statue of Orlande de Lassus (the statue is across the street from apartment Michael Jackson lived in after he fled he states after being accused of inappropriate contact with children).

And, finally, there still stands many buildings and structures involved with Munich's Nazi history. Hitler and the Nazi party began in Munich and the citizens have made sure that this is never forgotten, nor the harsh lesson learned from those dark times. Elevated to sainthood throughout the city via monuments and public art are the White Rose: a group of students who protested Hitler and the Nazis and paid for this with their lives.