Munich in winter

... is another fine city, I do like being here. It's cold, a good 6°C colder than Stuttgart, probably due to being (a) up on the high plains, and (b) out in the plains, exposed to the howling winds, rather than huddled into a valley.

I skipped out on the conference dinner last night, just didn't feel up to the train ride there and back or the stress of conversation. Walked around the neighbourhood where my nameless partner in the database lives, and ate in a fine Indian restaurant. Walking home at 9:15, I was nearly alone in the city: the streets were empty, few cars and no pedestrians. Munich sleeps early, or at least is a homebody.

I walked up the Augustenstrasse to the square where a friend lives, debated ringing her doorbell then decided not to (the lights were off). I stayed in her apartment for three weeks in the autumn of 1992, when I was considering moving away from London but hadn't decided where to go. There is a fountain in the square which burbles all night long (though not in winter, alas); I used to like leaning out of the open window and looking out into the night-lit city, listening to the fountain.

Time to leave, I have a train to catch. More this evening, perhaps.

Twenty down, ten to go.