Off the Map

Oktoberfest

Prost!

This Saturday afternoon and evening myself and 13 other kids caught the train over to Munich and hit up the One, the Only, the Biggest drunk-fest in the world (7.1 million attend): Oktoberfest!

I just put up half of the photos, which you can check out HERE.

Oktoberfest in Munich (the original city) is complete and utter drunken debauchery. There are more people there than you can imagine. There are more drunks there than you can imagine. There are even more giant pretzels there than you can imagine. Especially on the way in, its totally overwhelming (and really dirty).

The good news is that after you get over the initial shock and figure out a way to keep your group together in the dense crowd, it starts to become lots and lots of fun. You people-watchers out there would definitely treasure every moment. Because so many people go to the fest, you have great variety of nationalities, ethnicities, income levels, etc. We sat at tables with Cubans, Italians, French, Americans, and of course, Germans.

The streets themselves are lined with stereotypical "County Fair" boots - Elitch-style rides, Ferris Wheels, Wurst shops, Pretzel and Munchie shops, Candy shops, Horror houses, and those rigged Contest booths with the giant stuffed animals. But what really sets O-Fest apart are the Beer Tents.

These tents are scattered between all the other booths, but are big enough to hold several thousand people at once. And they do. The only way you can get in is if someone inside leaves - they're that full. [Ed. The booths are policed by staff so as not to exceed Capacity regulations (this IS Germany, after all) and you won't get served until you have a seat].

Everyone and littoral their mother is drinking from 1 liter BierSteins which run for $7.10 euros a pop. Expensive enough to keep me from over-doing things ;-). The beer is all fresh and on-tap - so it tastes Excellent! Once you have a seat and have your beer, you chat with everyone around you, whether its the group you came in with, or some random Cuban (as was the case for us). Aside from the frequent drunken fights (one of which knocked over a lady in our group), there is a great sense of community and brotherhood. Yes, its a weird contrast, but it works. Every so often some group starts singing a drinking song. If enough people around them are from the same country, the others will pick up the tune too, and then everyone jumps on the tables and dances to their own song.

"Heeeeyyyyy Baby! I wanna knooooowww, 'OH-AH!', if you'll be my Girl! Acht-Zieben-Sechs-Funf-Vier-Drei-Zwei-Eins! [Drink from Stein] Heeeeeeyyyy Baby! I wanna knooooowww if you'll be my Girl!"

This was probably the most popular song with the Germans (but comes from some American '50s tune). After I had figured out what they were singing drunkenly with German accents I jumped up on the tables with them and danced along!

Another great experience was finding a restroom. Turns out you've just got to know where they are, otherwise you end up like me: urinating alongside 20 other guys on a hillside while people walk above and below us. When in Rome...

On the way back to the trains the party didn't stop. It spilled out onto the streets and into the Station. Only on the trains did things quiet down, as the gentle rocking soon helped even the most betrunkenes of revilers pass out on the seats (or floors).

posted by Jason @ 10:10 pm