I will start at the beginning. Last Friday, following my Wichtel Wiesen at work, I made my way home excitedly because my oldest friend Danica and her partner Matt had arrived! They have been living in London for the last 2+ years and are slowly making a final tour of Europe before they head home to Australia for Xmas. We were lucky enough to be their first guests when they had first settled in London when we had our honeymoon nearly 2 years ago.
And now, in a splendid twist of fate, they are our first visitors in Munich. And they perfectly timed their visit with the start of Oktoberfest! So this is how our Oktoberfest story starts.... the official opening of the festival - the parade!This was Dan and I - together again at last!
The parade was full of huge bands, like at least 20 full brass bands! They were incredible to listen to and watch!
The bands were separated by beer displays by each of the big 6 beer companies represented at Oktoberfest.
After the parade, we couldn't help but pose for a shot or two. In front of a church....
... at lunch....
.... and with the Milka Cow and Milka World.
Saturday night we stayed in and caught up over a dinner of lasagne and garlic bread, along with a few beers/wines. This was all in preparation for Sunday - the main event. We went to Oktoberfest for real.
So, Michael and I had the full kit, dirndl, lederhosen... Michael even wore the long socks!
Dan and Matt couldn't be left out so we quickly picked up a shirt each the day before.
Once we arrived, we were in awe of the size. But we did get there really early so it was really empty.
Each tent was very well decorated.
Like so!
We finally settled in the Augustine tent for a beer!
The tent itself was beautiful. The band however was a big let down. They were clearly spending more time drinking than playing, and they would play the 'drinking' song every 15 minutes, having only played one song in between! And they didn't play my favourite, the Fliege song!
Of course I reached for the menu straight away!
Michael tried to prove he was as strong as a beer wench. This was 4 half full beers (each a 1L maß), and a 5th empty. Most the wenches were carrying upwards of 12.
Of course Dan got her bretzel.
Matt enjoyed the Augustine. He was hoping to make his way through all 6 while he is here.
We did make our way out to the sunshine eventually. Matt very kindly bought Danica a lebküchen - a gingerbread heart - that said 'Ich liebe dich' (I love you!). The lady selling it to Matt was quite pushy, and insisted that he needed to present it to her, and give her a kiss!
The ride section was almost as big as beer tents! I am hoping to go back and start with the rides because they all look so good and too dangerous to do after a beer!
Except perhaps this one.
This was just a giant slide, but with the strangest conveyerbelt to get up. Most people were aided by a ride operator, but the occasional man tried to go it alone. Most only stumbled a little, but one did go completely head over heels, and travelled all the way up on his back, feet first! We stood for ages just watching these guys.
I will leave this post here, as this is where we left the day. There is of course plenty more to come in the way of Oktoberfest visits, crazy fun with Dan and Matt, a football match, and a multi-country day trip. So keep watching this page!
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