After spending two weeks learning German and living like a local, Munich has come to occupy a very special place in my heart. Its beautiful streets lined with impressive buildings and meticulously tended gardens, especially the vast Englischer Garten, the abundance of beer gardens and a pervading cheerful southern German atmosphere are some of the aspects that I really appreciate about this city, also known as “Toytown” for its easygoing attitude, extremely high quality of life and low levels of crime.