2017-07-01

【Aiden in English】

        German culture has seen significant changes in modern history. Having been the antagonist in numerous conflicts, the country has taken steps toward reform. Ironically, the rest of the world has yet ot shift its focus on Germany. Recently, on a separate trip, I had the opportunity to experience a glimpse of German culture in Berlin. However, I am back for more, this time a more personal look at Germany.

        Munich is surprisingly strong and sound as a city despite losing ninety percent of its historical buildings to bombs in World War II. Much of the heritage has been preserved. Combined with modern culture, most of the historical Munich has now been transformed into shops and restaurants. Locals, as well as tourists, walk the streets in search of something that catches their eyes. However, Mom and I were not here to shop. Munich is one of the largest cities in Europe, with a population of around 1.5 million residents. Furthermore, tourists come and go throughout the year, regardless of the weather. Therefore, it's no surprise that Munich has risen to the top of the cities I've seen so far. 

        In a brief description of why Munich somewhat resembles Rome, cities with rich histories and integrated modern civilizations, resulting in spectacular cultures and unique aspects, Rome and Munich truly mirror each other almost identically. Munich only slightly differs from its historic roots because World War II caused more than property damage. However, the Germans quickly rebuilt the city, restoring much of what it had lost, which is understandable due to their legendary mechanical skills.

        Like the Go Vegan Festival, we have left many parties and fairs on the streets for no apparent reason or purpose. The roads are what set Munich apart from other cultural cities worldwide. The fact that random carnivals can just be generated is a sign of a tremendous cultural step. People were unafraid to be themselves, riding bikes, smoking, and drinking beer on the street. Granted, some aren't good hobbies, but most people seemed healthy enough. 

        However, every city has not yet escaped its roots. Like nearly all large European cities, Munich had a church around every corner. Truthfully, the churches are nothing compared to Notre Dame in Paris or St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Nevertheless, its people and the atmosphere on the streets are what set it apart. The contrast between the chaos on the roads and the quiet nature of the churches highlights two distinct aspects of Munich. These two sides can be found in many places. For example, the plaza with the food market and music had a backdrop of medieval statues and ancient fountains: old, chiseled pillars and bygone arches surrounded parks, where people rushed through the trees. Essentially, wherever people looked, they could see the two sides of Munich. Much like the two sides of the coin, one could not exist without the other.

【紅霞譯】

        在當代歷史上，日爾曼文化發生了翻天覆地的變化，德國曾幾度成為世界公敵，如今正力求悔過自新。滑稽的是，全球其它國家依舊無法改變對日爾曼民族的看法，最近一回我初訪柏林，多少能感受到這點。然而當我今年重返這片土地，想必對德國會有一個更加深入的了解。

        儘管第二次世界大戰摧毀了慕尼黑“僧侶城”90%的古蹟建築，但這座城市卻以驚人之舉重整家園，從而使許多文化遺產得以保留下來。老城業已注入現代生活氣息，大多數繁華地帶擠滿了商家店鋪，當地人也伴隨遊客們華爾茲節奏曼舞大街小巷自尋樂趣，不過我和媽媽沒想買啥東西。慕尼黑算作歐洲人口密度比較集中的地方，大約有150萬居民住在這裡，何況一年四季無論天氣冷暖，到此一游的觀光客川流不息，難怪慕尼黑很快成為我所走過的都市中出類拔萃的佼佼者。

        之所以給予高度評價無非在於，慕尼黑讓我不由得想起羅馬“力量”，兩座城市歷史悠久，現代文明洗禮又讓原本輝煌強盛的民族文化和別具特色的地域風貌大放異彩，在這方面彼此發展得竟然非常相像，只不過二戰才使慕尼黑透出稍有迥異的歷史根基，遠不止財產損失。好在德國人很快振興，憑藉祖傳的機械技能，竭力讓自己從戰後廢墟中重新崛起。

        我們所到之處五花八門的聚會慶典層出不窮，像“素食節”就是其中一例，街頭巷尾充斥各種活動的確讓慕尼黑成為天下盛開的一朵奇葩。事實上，隨性即興的狂歡方式標誌着一種極佳的生活狀態，人們無拘無束，滿大街騎單車抽香煙喝啤酒，千萬別誤解，有些嗜好未必算得上好習慣，但多數人看起來挺健康的。

        然而，歷史定會給各地打下不可磨滅的烙印。慕尼黑像歐洲其它名城一樣，每個角落都建有教堂，說句實在話，這裡任何一座都無法與巴黎聖母院或者梵蒂岡聖彼得大教堂相媲美，不過倒自然而然地把行人及慕尼黑賦予雙重特色，並且反映到老城內外，譬如：廣場上前面搭滿吃貨地攤唱歌舞台，後面矗立中世紀雕像古式噴泉；公園裡穿梭林中之人被舊石柱和老拱門所包圍，基本上無論你走到哪裡，都能親眼目睹慕尼黑動靜兩種狀態，正如硬幣兩側，誰都離不開對方。

Today in History(歷史上的今天):

2017: Munich, the Village of A Million DEU(德國慕尼黑·百萬人莊)

2017: Munich, the Secret Capital of Germany(德國慕尼黑·隱形首都)

2017: Munich, the World City w/ Heart DEU(德國慕尼黑·愛心之都)

2016: Moscow, the Third Rome of Russia(俄羅斯莫斯科·第三羅馬)

2016: Moscow Red Square, Russia(俄羅斯莫斯科·紅場)

2016: Moscow Kremlin, Russia(俄羅斯莫斯城·克里姆林宮)

2015: Mdina, the Medieval Capital of Malta(馬耳他姆迪納·中世紀古都)

2015: Capital Valletta, Malta(馬耳他首都灣谷城)

2015: Colonized Nation of Europe, Malta(歐洲本土殖民地馬耳他)

2014 World Cup—USA vs. Belgium(美國對比利時世界盃足球賽)

Brienner Straße, One of Four Royal Avenues

(高貴大街·四條皇道之一 07-01-2017)

Deutsche Jagd-undnd Fischereimuseum

(德國狩獵與捕魚博物館 07-01-2017)

Der Ring @ the Charles Hotel (自由人酒店·圓環 07-01-2017)

Frauenkirche, Featuring 16th-Century, 99-Meter/325-Ft-High Towers, the Legendary Devil's Footprint @ the Entrance

(聖母教堂·擁有16世紀建造的99米/325英尺高的塔樓、入口處傳說中的“魔鬼腳印”)

Only One Window Visible @ Frauenkirche

(聖母教堂·唯一看得見的窗戶 07-01-2017)

Teufelstritt or Devil's Footstep @ Frauenkirche

(聖母教堂·魔鬼腳印)

Abtei St. Bonifaz (虔誠聖徒修道院)

Abtei St. Bonifaz (虔誠聖徒修道院 07-01-2017)

Theatinerstraße (戲劇教堂大街 07-01-2017)

Theatinerkirche St. Kajetan (劇院教堂 07-01-2017)

High Altar of Theatinerkirche St. Kajetan 

(劇院教堂·高壇 07-01-2017)

Odeonsplatz (音樂廳廣場 07-01-2017)

Sitzender Keiler @ Hirmer

(迷人男裝店《坐着的野豬》 07-01-2017)

Diana Pavilion & Fountain @ Hofgarten

(王宮花園·神聖亭與噴泉 07-01-2017)

Chinese Pagoda @ Englischer Garten (英國公園·中國寶塔)

Neues Rathaus @ Marienplatz (聖母廣場·新市政廳 07-01-2017)

Veggie Promoter @ Marienplatz

(聖母廣場·蔬菜倡導者)

Paulaner's Wirtshaus & Biergarten

(迷你酒館與啤酒園 07-01-2017)

Lunch @ Paulaner's Wirtshaus & Biergarten

(迷你酒館與啤酒園·午餐 07-01-2017)

Restaurant Ratsheller (市政廳地窖餐廳)

Dinner @ Restaurant Ratskeller w/ Its Vaulted Ceilings，Authentic Bavarian a Dish of Pork, Sausages, & Duck, Located in the City Center since 1874

 (晚餐於市政廳地窖餐廳·自1874年以來一直位於市中心，擁有拱形天花板、正宗的豬肉、香腸、鴨肉巴伐利亞菜餚 07-01-2017)

市政廳地窖餐廳·煎餅湯、烤美味香腸、德國豬肘與迷你酒館的三明治

Crosslinks(相關博文):

Germany(出遊德國)

Europe(歐洲掠影)

8th Grade(初中三年級)