Oktoberfest...the REAL one

(Don't we look great?)

After returning from Venice, Matt and I didn't stay home for very long. The weekend after the Venice trip, Matt and I boarded an overnight train bound for Munich with over 20 of our friends. We arrived into Munich the following morning at 7am and started our long day of festivities in true style. Dressed in our traditional Bavarian lederhosen and dirndle, the two of us spent the remainder of the day and the following day holed up in Oktoberfest tents enjoying the local fare of beer and pretzels. Everyone dresses up for Oktoberfest, so we fit right in with our Bavarian apparel. To explain Matt's 'wild' socks...those are his A-Flight Friday Socks. Matt bought them when he became A-Flight commander and has given them to every member of his flight to wear on Friday's and to squadron related events. This was our second time visiting Oktoberfest in Munich and as always, this trip did not disappoint.

Matt and I had a fun time spending our weekend in the Hof Brau Haus and Hippodrome tents as well as the famous Hof Brau Haus (the location of Hitler's meetings) with all our friends. The picture on the left is of the outside of the Hof Brau Haus tent and the one on the right is of the Hippodrome tent. All of the tents except for the Hippodrome tent are temporary structures that are put up strictly for Oktoberfest. The Hippodrome is the only permanent tent that is up year-round. The bottom right picture was taken at about 10am--right after the doors opened. By noon, the doors are locked and the tents are at their maximum capacity. In order to be served food or drinks, you have to be seated, so even if you're inside it's not a guarantee for a good time. Getting through the front doors is like being in a rugby scrum, as everyone is shoving one another trying to get inside to claim one of the few tables available. In the course of the day, if you get up to go to the bathroom, you better have a friend sit in your seat for you, as people will come and try to plop down to take your seat before you have even stood up. If you're lucky enough to get reserved seats, that's the best way to go--but they're hard to get. We had reserved seats at the Hippodrome on Saturday, so that was a treat.

If you ever get the opportunity to visit the real Oktoberfest in Munich, it's an experience you'll never forget (you don't have to drink beer!). I don't think there is anything else in the world like it. Oh, and Oktoberfest doesn't happen in October--it takes place the last three weeks (yes, it's packed even on the weekdays) in September!