We're not in Kansas Anymore

Well, we're definitely not in Kansas anymore. Stepping off the plane was a surreal experience. Flying through the clouds below we saw blocks of field, forest, and greens - a stark contrast to the expected metropolitan city-center. It was surprising how many things felt like home - the McDonalds at the end of the terminal, the crisp, modern design of the airport, even the weary eyes of fellow travelers felt comforting in a world so strange. However, stepping outside was a different story.

These are the top five things I noticed that were different between Munich, Germany and America:

1. The railway system.

Munich has an extensive railway system that covers the majority of the city. A whole day pass will cost you a grand total of €2,70 giving you access to not only the metro cars, but buses and rail cars as well. This makes the city easy and cheaply navigable.

2. Commitment to the old.

In America, we focus on cycling consumption. We cycle through comforters, clothes, cars, and appliances. Our motto used to be, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it;" now it seems to be "if it ain't broke, update it to the newest model anyway." This also applies to our architecture. We have few buildings a century old that remain standing, and typically if they do they are under specialized care. In Germany,

Photo by Murphy

3. Pharmaceuticals.

In America, walk into any grocery store, drug store, or even gas station and find aisles of non-regulated medication there for the taking. In Munich, most drugs are "behind-the-counter," and require a conversation in with a pharmacist in order to receive. Additionally, some drugs are less expensive - I picked up a 7-day pack of generic allergy medication that would've cost me roughly $15 in the states. While I was lucky to get a pharmacist who spoke English, getting medication as a foreigner is a near impossible task.

4. Genuine Kindness.

While navigating alone to find the rest of the group, I met many, many nice Germans. Perhaps it is because of their harsh sounding language, but my preconceived notion was that Germans were going to be standoffish and disdainful to Americans. Not only did the people from Munich themselves help me navigate my way through the metro system, but a man from Hamburg unfamiliar with the area even jumped in to help in whatever way he could. I got multiple smiles on my train ride, and one passenger even stood up to give me his seat! The people as a whole were patient with my immensely lacking German, and were forgiving when I eventually gave up and relucted to English.

5. Acceptance for all styles.

While traveling the rails, I observed business-aged men, high school girls, grandmothers, and middle school boys. The best part about German style was that anything goes. There were preppy girls wearing dresses and oxfords, middle aged woman without an ounce of make-up, and grandmothers with bleach-dyed and cut hair. No one once batted an eye, and people genuinely respected what each other chose to wear.

While Germany and America can be similar in landscape, city layout, food options, and disdain for long flights, there are subtle cultural differences to only be seen for oneself.