Oktoberfest!

(Central Munich)

Last weekend I had the great opportunity to go to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany as well as visit Anna, an exchange student we had in high school, who I have not seen in about 4 years. I arrived in Munich at about 11 pm on Thursday, Anna was nice enough to come to the airport with her friend to pick me up and for that I am so grateful because I would have had no idea what to do otherwise. That night we made plans for the weekend and I got to sleep in a bed that my feet didn't hang off of which was very nice.
On Friday we woke up to a chilly raining day. Anna took me out on a nice little tour of Munich and I was able to snap a few good pictures of the scenery. She made sure to have me try a traditional German breakfast consisting of a white sausage and a pretzel.

(A view from the observatory in the gigantic park in Munich)

On our way back to her apartment Anna had us cut though the Beerfest, so I could get a taste of what to expect for the next day. I have never seen so many people in my whole life! People everywhere, nearly shoulder to shoulder crammed walking in every direction on the streets.
We got to see all the huge fancy Beer tents like the one below, I guess each one can hold about 2,000 drunk people. Also worth mentioning were the amount of drunk stumblers already out. Anna and I were in the train at 3 and some Italian guy was one hard turn on the tracks away from throwing up all-over the train.
That night all of Anna friends from high school showed up. It was quite the experience, a lot of German was spoke so about 75% of the time I had no idea what was going on, so I just sat there with a smile and enjoyed the language. We all ate a nice dinner and made plans on how which tent we would be going to and how we were going to secure a table for 20 people. Once again I wasn't exactly sure of the details but I knew we had to wake up early. Eventually we all head to bed after everyone shows up at 1 in the morning. Normally this would be alright, but the next day...

(Anna my German tour guide and hostess for the weekend)

We all wake up at 5:30 AM! The girls all needed to get their Dirndls on and get ready for the big day. By 6:30 AM we were out in front of the beer tent so we could secure our table for 20. Worth mentioning is the fact the doors do not open until 9:00 so that means 2.5 hours of standing, watching the sun come up and the trickle of people walk into Oktoberfest slowly filling up the streets and packing the areas in front of the soon to be open tents. By 8:00 it was so crowded I could barely lift my hand to touch my face and once I did I had to stand there with my hand up like I had a question for about 15 minutes. By 8:15 I cracked my first beer, handed to me by some British guy in the mass of people. The next 45 minutes consisted of me trying to drink said beer without elbowing anyone in the face. Meanwhile I'm pretty sure someones hands are in my back pockets grabbing my ass. I did not know who this was since I was unable to move, I honestly didn't want to turn around to find out. I just prayed it was some hot German Fraulein, not some creeping middle aged dude.

(In front of the tent bright and early)

Finally 9:00 arrives and the doors open and in the most unorganized fashion possible everyone tries to make towards the door. People start getting crushed women start crying, I was just happy to be tall and managed to push myself through the doors. Once I got clear I turned around to see Anna and her friend trapped so I grabbed them and pulled them out of the mob to safety.
At 9:15 we secured a table to fit our whole group and I am holding my first liter of German Lowenbrau. I make quick work of it and continue on trying to make sure I'm never beer less. Eventually the music starts and as you can see it was pretty crazy. Once again I had no idea what was being said but as long as I kept the beers coming I was able to pretend I knew the lyrics and dance on the tables like the rest of the Germans. Anna's friends were all very nice to me and helped me with ordering food and beer, so I didn't have to worry about making an ass out of myself.

(Getting Breakfast)

(Anna and some of her friends)

The madness carried on for the next 12 hours of my day, only taking breaks to pee, eat a chicken, and find myself a huge pretzel. We spent the whole day in the tent, dancing on the tables, singing German and some old American songs, and of course drinking beer. All in all I know I was in the double digits on how many liters of beer I drank. It was definitely the craziest/longest day of my life. I've never been in such a busy place or drank that much beer for that long. The women were beautiful in their dresses, I feel in love in just about every direction I turned. I'm definitely going to have to come back sometime once I learn a little German.

After a very long day I walked out on my own power at 11 that night just a little buzzed but incredibly tired, smuggling a mug under my jacket. Mission Accomplished.
When we got back to Anna's we raided her kitchen for food and by 1 I was asleep only to have to wait up again at 5 so I could catch the train to make my 7:00 flight. If was rough and it wouldn't have been possible had Anna not taken me to the last station possible before I boarded the one the took me to the airport.

(A view down the table)

Once I made it home safe and sound I believe I slept my life away all day on Sunday resting up for my big 21st birthday.

Coming up very soon: My 21st Birthday and boy do I have stories!
Just waiting for some pictures to surface....