MUNICH

Oktoberfest, Munich was probably the most exciting event I've ever been to and truly a highlight of my travels. If I didn't like beer before, I certainly don't like it now...

 After a stormy night in our 20 Euro tents, we awoke at 5am to get to the grounds early for the opening ceremony. All dressed up in traditional Bavarian outfits (pictured above) we arrived at the grounds surrounded by swarms of people also trying to beat the queues. One thing I noticed is that the majority of people around us were actually foreigners, rather than locals. After meeting a few Germans further on in my travels, I found that most prefer to steer clear of the event. Oktoberfest really is for tourists, especially Australasians. I don't think I've ever seen so many Kiwis and Australians outside of our own countries before. But despite it being less of a local tradition, the amount of like-minded beer crazy foreigners helped create the most rowdy atmosphere. 

  

As the doors opened, people swarmed in, rushing to get a table. At that moment, my life seemed to flash before my eyes, and the risk of being trampled to death felt real. We managed to find a table, but it was still a long wait till the first keg would be opened, and the drinking would begin. Many pretzels and chants later, the first barrel was brought out, and a stir of excitement turned into uproar! I had never been so excited for a beer in my life! 

  

The first person to get their beer stood on a table and proceeded to down the entire Maßkrug, and everyone cheered him on as if he was famous. Music began and beers went down. By my third it's easy to say I don't remember a lot of what happened next. I do, however, remember an old German lady looking down her nose at me, as I vomited all over my shoes.

 Oktoberfest was one of the most memorable and fun experiences of my young life. We only managed to go 3 days in a row before being too run down and exhausted. I have to recommend to any young person that if you are in Germany or Europe from September - October, to add Oktoberfest to your bucket list. There are so many beautiful buildings, lovely parks, or, for something a little different, river surfing on the Eisbach.