Autumn in Munich

View of the gardens in LMU from our classroom

It is not a season I would have expected to like. Autumn in the UK is often grey, rainy and monotonous. I arrived in Munich with no expectations about the seasons. After a lively few weeks surrounding Oktoberfest, settling in was getting a little slower. That’s until the colours started to change. Munich is a very green city, and the abundant nature from the parks, streets and gardens helped deeply reflect the beauty of autumn, one we often take for granted. We were particularly lucky because the weather, despite becoming colder, was incredibly sunny. This allowed for a cosy pumpkin, cinnamon, and hot chocolate energy to welcome itself nicely. Morning, afternoon, and evening walks felt so magical, and playing some jazz felt even more special in every moment.

Eibsee lake

I felt even more in awe of this often misunderstood season when leaving Munich for the mountains. My first hike in Bavaria led me to train down to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and after looking at a few routes, we decided to hike up to Eibsee. The colours of early October were truly stunning and diverse. Our route took us to walk along the railway and mountain edge until we reached Hammersbach, where we would start our ascent. As a group of 6, we were also getting to know each other. The excitement of meeting new people, with the excitement of discovering a new place, and the autumn magic, made for a perfect and welcoming atmosphere. The lake at the end of our hike was truly enchanting, we toured a few paths and sat to have tasty hot chocolates. We felt so cosy despite it being colder than expected. The serenity of the environment created a space of harmony and for positive thoughts for the times ahead.

What made autumn so special in Munich and the surroundings was that the whole environment was representing the season. Bakeries were selling cinnamon buns and lebkuchen making was starting. Lebkuchen are a German cake/biscuit that people eat around Christmas time. They are usually covered in chocolate, and have a unique gingerbread taste and feel to them. Their smell was so appealing and comforting, and once I had tried them once, they became a regular purchase. The excitement of being in a new place is only always enhanced by the thrill of discovering new delicacies.

This whole atmosphere felt stronger as I started to decorate my apartment, and creating moments for myself where I would prepare teas and infusions, listen to Billie Holiday and other jazz classics, and watch iconic shows like Gilmore girl. In a way, the autumn felt similar to the vibes from new England, as romanticised in media as it may be. Below is a photo from one of my classrooms at LMU, it stands out to my as a representation of the beauty of autumn. It caught everyone’s attention in class, even leading our professor to make a sweet comment about the beauty. It reflects the somewhat idyllic changing yet comforting nature of the season, offering everyone some joy while being in a late afternoon long and sometimes tiring class.

As October went by, Halloween decorations were appearing here and there, and the sight of pumpkins all over markets and shops felt very exciting. The colour orange really stands out as a marker of this shifting time of year. Despite the days becoming darker and colder, and the end of the year taking its toll on everyones minds, the autumn nature and folklore bring peace and comfort, reminding us that even when we get caught up in our heads and thoughts, appreciating the little things and the positives of changing seasons, really makes a difference.