Oktoberfest
By Peter G • Oct 26th, 2008 • Category: PlacesHi everyone! Just wanted to let you know I’m back after suffering a bout of flu/sinusitis the last few weeks. Couldn’t swallow, sleep and most importantly eat! I’ve had enough of chicken soups for the time being. So I want to get back into blogging today with a post about that great German beer festival known as Oktoberfest. I had the pleasure of attending the last weekend there in Munich a few weeks ago and I took a number of pictures of my time there. Hope you enjoy!
A friend and myself made our way from Frankfurt to Munich via the very efficient German train system. Had a quick “brekky” at the station of pastries and coffee for about 10 Euro! It was a comfortable three and a half hour journey to Bavaria. I was quite impressed with the cleanliness and the organisation of the railway environment.
Munich provided a very “Gothic like atmosphere” with its architecture and the weather really added to the mood too. There were obviously a lot of people in town ready to enjoy the last of this alcoholic festival.
Autumn had really begun to show itself here. It was quite cool and there was a sight drizzle but that didn’t keep the crowds away. People were here to sample the beer and pretzels and to be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect when we made our way to the main area where the Oktoberfest activities were being held…
Don’t you just love the decorations? I could easily try to fit that in my apartment! My best description for Oktoberfest would be to call it the “alcoholic Disneyland”. I have never seen anything like it. This is the world’s largest gathering of beer makers. Picture it. Gigantic halls, one after the other with lines of people waiting outside just to get in to drink beer and enjoy the entertainment! The trick is to line up quite early and of course everyone thinks the same….
So we stayed outside in the drizzling rain enjoying our “steins”. There was no way we were going to get into the hall. Oktoberfest runs on very strict rules in regards to beer sales. All the beer prices are set at one price by the brewers. That “stein” is a litre and it costs 8.80 euro for one. (Those pretzels are 5 Euro each). But you have to be “sitting” at a table to order it. So after a few of these I was very tipsy. I had to try and contain myself because I was trying to get decent shots. And then it happened! A security guard left her door for a moment and my friend and I just casually walked in….
Now I know why people line up forever to get inside…the atmosphere was quite “electric”! It was a sea of tables with people drinking and dancing! Bavarians take their Oktoberfest celebrations quite seriously and a lot of them were dressed in their traditional garb. The men wear an outfit called a “lederhosen” and the females wear a “dirndl”. Everyone was very happy to pose (after I told them I was a reporter…ahem!). And the music…one minute it’s a traditional Bavarian knee slapping song and then the band breaks into a version of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”! LOL…I’m telling you, in it’s own odd way it actually works!
The real heroes are the staff at Oktoberfest. They can carry up to eight of those mugs in one go. Remembering that they each weigh one litre, that’s a lot of heavy work! But they do it so casually and make it look easy. Everyone was really friendly and they greeted us with a smile. These are actually the last images I remember taking…A few more steins and I can barely remember how I made it back to the train station to get back to Frankfurt. I do remember eating a few “wurst” with mustard at some point. I had a great time and I can’t wait to do it again next year.
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Peter G is a passionate foodie of Greek descent living in Australia. You'll usually find him cooking up a storm in the kitchen and photographing all his exploits.
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You were there? I’ve been there three times and now I refuse to pay so much money for beer and pretzels. But after seeing these pictures I think I need to go next year again LOL! Great pics!
When I was 18 I was in Munich at a Beerhausen but not during Oktoberfest. Kitchener/Waterloo in Ontario where I grew up has a huge festival but perhaps not as grand as Munich!!!So sorry to hear that you have been sick as well..but well on the mend:D
great photologue…I could almost smell the beer.
When the hell did you find the time to pop to Germany and back to OZ in no time…are you an astronaut? lol
Great photos, Munich is on my list of places to visit and I love that whole sausage and beer ritual.
Sinusitis is my worst nightmare. I really don’t understand how they haven’t yet managed to find a proper cure! I always wondered what Oktoberfest would be like. Thanks for sharing and hope you get better.
I am glad you are feeling much better now. Lovely pictures and it seems you had fun. Too expensive though. We have a lovely beer festival in Cyprus and the beer is free!!!
I have an Award for you to collect.
amazing stuff peter - and i thought greece was expensive, but 5 euro a pretzel and nearly 9 for that beer? i love your coinage: alcoholic disneyland indeed! i love sausages, so i could really dig into all that wurst; the picture of the building with the huge bowl of food on its roof really sums up the atmospere; so strange to see people wrapped up in their woollies - we’re just about to start looking for our coats and jackets…
Thanks for sharing those great pictures with us! I’m sure you had a good time there…
Cheers,
Rosa
Hi there P!!! Oh, I know sinusitis, I got it last year on my Dad-in-law funeral, could not stop crying and snorting… horrible. Have you cooked yourself a good chicken soup with lots of homemade chicken and vegetable stock? I think it will help. Have a great rest, P!
I’m glad you are feeling better, Peter. Great photos! Except now I want a beer and a soft pretzel. Or maybe a brat in a pretzel roll
Glad you’re feeling better Peter. Great shots! The people look so friendly and happy… I’m glad I wasn’t the one arranging all those streamers though
Thanks for sharing that great day! your photos are great!!
Reminds me of when we lived in Germany quite a few years ago…I think my husband as been there, will have to look at his photos..He went with a group of friends, from the Royal Air Force…sore heads the next day !!!!
Sooo Happy you feel ok by now Peter! This is my kind of Feast!!! Aaaaah I adore Munich… had such good memories of this city :D.
It’s great to see you had a good time and great to have you back posting! Salud Chico!!!
wow, looks like a hoot!! I want that big wok as decoration outside my house this xmas!!!
good to hear u are recovered. looking forward to more yummy photos
Oh, Wow. What fun!
These are some fantastic shots…
So glad that you’re feeling better too!
These shots are awesome! Visiting Bavaria is on our list and at a time like this, wow! It’s pretty amazing how much you get around the world and document it so well.
By the looks of your photos I was in the same tent as you on the same weekend - I hope you tried the signature beef of the Spaten tent? Gold.
I follow your blog and am glad to see you enjoyed Bavaria as much as I did. I made your Spanakopita (spelling?) the other night - delicious!
I used to live in Bavaria (I even have a dirndl in my wardrobe). I think they serve some of the best food in Germany. Those bretzels had me drooling at my screen. Mmmmmmmmmm would love to have some of those bavarian sausages for lunch today….
Wow! Looks like a great trip. 10 Euros for a coffee and some pastries sounds a little steep! Thanks for sharing the pics and observations from your trip.
Your photos are fantastic and capture the real Oktoberfest that can only happen in Munich! I’m married to a Bavarian, and spent seven wonderful years in this city. I get homesick just reading this post. Thank you for sharing such an authentic glimpse of my favorite place on earth, at one of the most special times!