The first full day in Munich winds down with a welcome dinner at Hofbrauhaus, a Munich mainstay since the 16h Century. The 2019 Cohort dined on the second floor in an auditorium room with an infamous history (Hitler gave his first speech in this very room). For entertainment, an "Oomp-pa-pa Band" (as Michael calls it) regaled us with live, traditional Bavarian music, including whip cracking.

Whip cracking you ask? Whip cracking is used as an instrument in traditional Bavarian music and is quite impressive to watch. The whip cracker during the dinner went on for quite some time, drawing all attention to the stage.

Prior to climbing the steps to the dining hall, the 2019 Cohort soaked in a bit of culture and street performer shows on the cobblestoned street outside Hofbrauhaus, then were given a brief tour of the storage area for personal steins. There are only 424 "storage lockers" at this location, all of which are filled - a definite status symbol to keep your stein at Hofbrauhaus!

After dinner, Michael took a few Cohort members throughout the other upstairs rooms to get a splendid view of the courtyard through the Hofbrauhaus windows.

Finally, with sated bellies and weary limbs, the 2019 Cohort retired to their rooms at the Eurostar Hotel for a well-deserved night of Bavarian dreaming.