Hello everyone,
Let’s see, in the last post I traveled to Iceland. The whole experience was incredible and I would love to go back and explore the country more. My trip to Iceland seemed to only touch the surface of what Iceland has to offer and I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone to visit this beautiful place. If you missed out on my Iceland post, please click here to read more.
This post is a bit long… so I have decided to split it up into 2 posts… so here goes. Enjoy.
Upon arriving back in the UK (March 7th), I had just enough time to unpack, do laundry, clean up, print out my flight and hotel details before repacking and leaving for Munich, Germany. I could not have left on a more perfect day, March 11th. Happy Birthday Cuz! My family were definitely present on this trip via signs and tons of little things constantly occurring and reminding me that you can carry people with you.
On my flight from London, Gatwick to Munich, I met a wonderful older woman from Wales. We chat for the entire flight, and once at the airport I met her daughter and son-in-law who currently live in Munich. They were so kind and even gave me a ride to my hotel, where I met up with Sharon Massey, Jim Bove and Yoko Sekino-Bove.
This trip was… odd, wonderfully odd and exciting. I felt like a new kid at my first SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) conference; mainly because I was hanging out with 2 friends I normally see at the annual SNAG conferences, and partly because I had no idea how to navigate Schmuck (Munich Jewellery Week) or even what to expect.
Day 1 (Thursday March 12th, 2015), first full day in Munich was spent on the move, walking from gallery to gallery, exhibition to exhibition, and I quickly realized that I completely brought the wrong shoes. Not going to lie, it is all a bit of a blur since there was a lot of walking, but soo many churches to see and Tons of beautiful work. Lunch at Weisses Bräuhaus, where I acquired my first souvenir – a stein! More walking around “old town,” a stop over to Messe Munchen International to see the Schmuck show, vendors, and more exhibitions. For dinner, we took a trip to the historic, the original, and semi over touristy yet wonderful Hofbräuhaus am Platzl – which, build by Bavarian Duke Maximilian I, was originally built in 1589. You can see the liter beer we all decided to drink below, and I learned that I love a good Dunkel beer, a German dark lager. We ended the evening by heading to Schmuck party for a little dancing (hanging out on the side) and mingling before walking back to the hotel to crash.
Below is a photo journey of the first day’s evens. Make sure to note the Neues Rathaus – which is a super ornate neo-gothic styled building serving as the new town hall. This building also has moving wooden figurines – called coopers dancers – on 2 stories that depict Munich’s history. The moving show takes place daily at 11am and Noon and 5pm. The facade of this epic-ly ornate building portrays almost the entire line of the house of Wittlesbach of Bavaria.
Day 2! Friday March 13th, 2015. More walking, more exhibitions, more galleries, more shows. Today’s Schmuck tour demonstrated some pretty cool exhibition spaces and creative display ideas. During our walking around Munich, we also found our way to the space where Oktoberfest is held, empty now of course, but I can only imagine the crazy excitement and entertainment being held there during the giant funfair. Later, we ventured to the Pinakothek der Moderne for the opening of Anton Cepka’s – Kenetic Jewellery show (after waiting for over an hour in the lobby, listening to someone speak in German before being allowed upstairs to view the work). A small tangent within the museum, looking at some motorcycles and cars, and finally of to dinner at Cafe Puck with some new friends. Here is a photo run through from the day. Enjoy:
Day 3! Saturday March 14th, 2015. Even more walking… yay.
Back to the Pinakothek der Moderne to see the rest of the museum. Then off to the Messe for awards and official opening for the Schmuck exhibition. Signed up for a Neuschwanstein castle tour for tomorrow – too stoked about this!!! Giant dinner at another Brauhaus with the masses of Schmuck, and then “out on the town: with Jim Bove, Yoko Sekino-Bove, Sharon Massey, Jim Cotter, Jamie Bennett, Myra Mimlitsch Gray and Katie Rearick.
Check out this days’ photos below:
This has been a jam packed adventure already, and the trip isn’t even over! This part of the post is over however. Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Schmuck-Germany Adventure which includes Castles and Palaces and Jewels, Oh My!
Also make sure to check out my fundraiser here – to support my learning adventure in the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, UK (and other learning trips around Europe). Each donation comes with a hand made reward from yours truly. Keep an eye out for some amazing new rewards coming soon at www.gofundme.com/MeredithTibjash!
And if you haven’t already, check out the daily photos on my Instagram page: @mstibj
Until next time, take care – and see you soon
-Meredith S. Tibjash
Meredith S. Tibjash 
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