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From the tower looking directly at the City Hall and across Munchen. Near the bottom of the Rathaus are two levels of Glockenspiel. That is at 11 and 12 each day bells ring and the life sized statues that rotate on a disk to represent a battle that München won. The lowest clock play depicts rejoicing that the battle was won. As you can see it was a cold winter day in München. If you look one direction you can see the Alps but this day it was too cloudy.

Munchen is a beautiful city as you cans see. We are enjoying our time here. We toured three of the Churches. This picture are taken in city center. The City has a rule that no building can be higher than the Churches. The churches stand out because they are the tallest buildings in the city. When we go to church on Sunday it is fun to hear all the church bells ringing.

Sendlinger Kirche and our bus stop. Directly behind the car in the center of the picture is the bus stop where we pick up bus 53 and are taken Schwanthalerhöhe U-bahn. We then take the U-bahn one stop and then walk to the center. I don’t believe tourists can visit this church.

It has been a good week. We are settling into a routine. Except for Thursday in was busy with sick missionaries. We had about 10 people for Monday FHE. Tuesday Sister Mason made yogurt-sugar cookies that she gave to everyone after Zone training and they were very appreciated. The theme of the zone training was demut or humility. There were 16 elders, 4 sisters and 3 couples at the training. We practiced the zero lessons. A zero lesson is introducing yourself to a person you have met and being able to carry on a conversation with that person or persons in German.

A good quote from Elder Walch, Progress and change come when you act so go act on the promptings of the spirit.

Wednesday we had a meeting with the Stake President and we discussed his vision for the YSA. Thursday was really busy and then we went to another ward. We got on the wrong bus twice, but finely made it at 8:30 pm and no one was at the church house as we went there to watch the JAEs play volleyball. It was snowing and the wind was blowing. Friday was a calmer day.

Saturday was really fun. We went with the Hunsakers and Sister Hunsaker was our tour guide. We went to the city center and visited two churches, markets, and two department stores. Sister Mason now knows where to buy a waffle iron and some pans to make pizza, all kinds of house items. Sister Mason looked at hats in a hat store but the only thing I like was 150€ so I did not buy one. 

Friday, while the JAEs were playing their games the JAEs were playing their games the young men/young women of the first ward had a Fasching party in the Gym and were all dressed up for the festivities. Members have told me that Fasching in Germany is like the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Many of the schools are closed the week of February 10.

Fasching or Carnival in Germany begins on November 11 at 11:00 but is really celebrated the last week before Ash Wednesday. The Thursday before Ash Wednesday begins with "Women’s Carnival.” Ladies can kiss any man they like after cutting off his tie. The next highlight is Rose Monday: Marching bands, dancers, and floats parade down the streets, throwing confetti, sweets, and toys. The elaborate floats often show caricatured figures mocking politicians and other personalities. On Shrove Tuesday, costume balls are held all over Germany, while the quiet Ash Wednesday marks the end of Fasching. Almost every German city celebrates carnival and organizes a street parade in its city center.