Saturday, September 17

Day two -

Its September 17th in Munich Germany, where do you think everyone is? Oktoberfest 2011!
Today marks the opening ceremonies of Oktoberfest - a 16–18 day beer festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany since 1810. This event runs from late September to the first weekend in October. It is one of the most famous events and is the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending every year.

That's right you read correctly, 5 MILLION people each year! Any of us in the states can try to compare that to our state fair, or for my Milwaukee locals you might try to compare that to Summerfest (averaging tops 1 million/year) - you just can't do it! 14 large tents cover the grounds of Oktoberfest each one representing a beer that is brewed within the Munich city limits. People adorned in Lederhosen and Dirndls cover the streets.

Here you can see how crowded the streets were (this was around 11 a.m.) In the distance you will see Hofrau-Festzelt, the counterpart to the famous Hofbräuhaus.

This is a decoration on the side of one of the children's rides at Oktoberfest. Even here you will see angels drinking their beer!

The whole family at Oktoberfest!

We made way into Käfers Wiesen Schänke, the smallest of the large tents. Here we stood and enjoyed Maß (term used for a liter of beer- pronounced as "Mas"). This tent was filled with locals and is known for having some of the best food. Waitresses were coming out left and right with all types of assorted meats and bread. The smell alone in this tent could work up an appetite! 

Some of the locals enjoying an array of meats at Käfers Wiesen Schänke.

 

Prost to our family and friends back home! Happy Oktoberfest!

After Käfers Wiesen Schänke, we walked around the grounds and met some locals, Thomas and Stephanie. Thomas was most likely on his 4th Maß and showed great enthusiasm has he spoke to us in his best english. Upon asking Thomas some of his favorite things he knows from the states we found that not only "The Boss" is big with him and his friends but so is John Denver. He started singing "Country Road, Take Me Home" and within a few seconds 5-10 others joined him in singing the famous song. Us on the other hand, stood there just laughing. 

Thomas, our new friend from Germany.

 Thomas and his girlfriend helped us coax our way into the Brausosl - Pschorrbrau-Festhall. The name of the tent originates from the daughter of the brewery owner, Herr Pschorr. As you scroll through the photos below you will get a sense of how crowded this was.

Outside the Pschorr- Braurosl

Security guarded these tents as if it were their sole military mission. We literally had to barter our way to get into this tent. After a lot of sweet talking (and maybe a Euro ...or five...) we got the whole group in.

Yay! We all made it in (you can't see Stephanie or my Dad)

Because words can't do justice for the madness that goes on in this tent, here are some photos from the night. 

Trust me when I say that we fully lived (and surprisingly survived) Oktoberfest. What goes on in Oktoberfest stays at Oktoberfest. . . Until next time.