Did y'all know Oktoberfest is actually called Wiesn in Germany? Did you also know that I'm headed there after work today? I'll spend the weekend there and head back to Munich on Wednesday. I'm a lucky girl, I realize that. Beer festivals might just be my essence and in the next few days I will be basking in all things related: I will be dressed in a dirndl, "Prost"-ing old friends, dancing to oompa bands, lusting over men in lederhosen, devouring roasted chickens and oversized pretzels, singing at the top of my lungs, and of course... drinking disgusting amounts of BEER.
Just writing singing at the top of my lungs reminded me that I didn't have a voice for ten days after Oktoberfest last year. Let's hope I fare better this go 'round. Let's also hope that this dude is still alive and there to entertain:
I have met loads of people in the last 16 months that I've lived in Europe, whether home in Karlsruhe or traveling in Turkey. Usually, these people are great company and fun memories. You hug goodbye, say keep in touch, if you're ever in Germany call me, but most of the time it's just words. Sure, you mean it, but you know it will just never actually happen.
Oktoberfest 2011 was my greatest exception to this. During this time, I had only lived in Germany a couple of months and had a solid two friends in this country, one of which did not live in Karlsruhe (the other was this dude). Then, the last Saturday of Oktoberfest 2011, I was with some friends visiting from the USA in the Hofbräuhaus tent when a lovely German girl asked me my name, in German. I responded with my basic German introductory lessons, but immediately switched to English. They were less than happy to find out I didn't speak German, but we were friends all day nonetheless. Come night time, we bid adieu and I surely thought I'd never see this pair again. That was far from true, thank goodness, and this evening we will be reunited yet again!
Lesson Learned
People can be just a good travel memory and that is perfectly Ok. I can name tons of these. Every now again though, you meet some extra special folk and make an exception. An exception that makes you decide to hop on a train to Munich on a whim to go to Oktoberfest to re-experience the magic of when you all met. Simon and Uschi could have easily been just another pair I added on Facebook after a great trip solely to share photos with, but we made each other exceptions and I'm happy to claim them as amazing friends who certainly contributed to my unforgettable experience in Germany. We made the exception to being just a memory and decided to live exceptionally!
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit, der Gemütlichkeit!
24 comments
they should call it "robbery". c'mon 9.30Euro for 1L (if you are lucky it's 1L, most of the time is an half foam) of beer is way too much. Stuttgart has a beer fest as well in the same period. It should be better than ocktoberfest, never been there (Hildur did last year) but give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI went to the spring one in Stuttgart and it was a blast! I'm also going to the one in Stuttgart on October 12, so I will let you know how they compare. Although, at the spring fests the price of beer in Stuttgart may have been 50 cents cheaper. Not a whole lot better haha. Can't put a price on the time of your life! At least, this is how I justify the wad of cash I just withdrew from my bank account. You should actually write on your blog Stefano, would love to read!
ReplyDeleteProst und O'zapft is! Have lots of fun auf der Wiesn! :)
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous in your Dirndl!
we're going to an oktoberfest here in nyc but i'm allergic to beer aka im a shitty german soooo i wont be drinking.
ReplyDeletei wish i could be in Germany by now :(
ReplyDeleteand you're right, the memories on travel. some just lasting for however long.
have a great time and share some silly pictures, haha
This is the sweetest thing in the world. I hope you're having a blast there, I'm kind of jealous@
ReplyDeleteI envy you to have the original Oktoberfest ;-) I went with some friends to the biggest Oktoberfest here in the States to Cincinnati. It wasn't the same as in Germany, but the beer was great :-P
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Louisville
i have been living in germany for all my life - well exept for my au pair year in the states - but i have never been to the oktoberfest. plus i don't even have the excuse that i live too far from munich as it is only 1 1/2 to 2 hours from here aaaand i have releatives and friends in munich too. ha ha. anyway... i never felt the urge to go there. does that make me weird? don't say yes now!!
ReplyDeletei want a dirndl. and i want to go to oktoberfest. please stay in germany forvere so when i move back that can be our blate?!
ReplyDeleteI would love to go need, but 1litre of beer would finish me off! View Spass.
ReplyDeleteI definitely have met some of those people that make you hop on a train like that! Have fun at Oktoberfest :)
ReplyDeleteI had a blast and looking forward to heading back this week! Except my voice isn't because it's pretty gone and Wednesday is not enough time for recovery.
ReplyDeleteA lot of times they have wine at the beer fests! Hope you still had fun :)
ReplyDeleteOh definitely have some silly pics coming your way!
ReplyDeleteAdd it to your bucket list - it's quite hte experience! I've been to an Oktoberfest in Texas and it was very fun too, but definitely not quite as epic :)
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely try and hit a German beer festival during your study abroad experience!
ReplyDeleteHa I meet a ton of Germans that don't care to go, but it's certainly worth checking out. Try it on a week day so you don't ahve the miserable crowd experience. Or, at least check out Fruehlingsfest come spring!
ReplyDeleteYOU HAVE TO GET A DIRNDL AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS BLATE. It's very possible I'll be around for awhile longer so this needs to happen.
ReplyDeleteha, then you'd just save a lot of money! Because they're certianly expensive!
ReplyDeleteI had a blast - can't wait for round 2. Thanks Susi!
ReplyDeleteOh how I love to live vicariously through you! I love meeting new people, and Oktoberfest sounds like a total experience. Can't wait to hear how it all went down!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, it's just amazing!
ReplyDeleteI was in Munich this time last year, just before Oktoberfest started, but people were still sitting underneath the trees in the Viktualienmarkt. I wish I could be back there now! But this time, I'll travel smarter, I was so tired after a city tour
Have so much fun, Alex!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a lot of fun!! :) Love your dirndl! I'm definitely getting one for next year :)
ReplyDelete