Oktoberfest

Although it's nearly 8 months away, I am already getting excited. We are expecting a lot of visitors this year for Oktoberfest, which is wonderful. I love an excuse to wear my dirndl... and to see Stefan in his lederhosen. Having friends here to share in the excitement is the icing on the cake. We're hoping everyone is able to come around the same time so we are able to reserve an alumni table since we all went to the same university.

The difficult part about Oktoberfest is how quickly the tents fill up. Once they are filled they simple close the doors. My first year we went opening day at 7am to the Schottenhamel tent, where the mayor taps the first keg, which kicks off the festivities for the next few weeks. There are plenty of characters and long days. I remember meeting some guys from Australia and New Zealand who didn't even have a place to stay, and watching others fall asleep in their food around 11am. For the merry makers that make it past that, it's a really fun day that rolls into a crazy evening that is filled with lots of singing, happiness, and celebration. We all enjoy having a few maß and celebrating life.

There is also a lot of fascinating local history that goes with it, including the prized position of 'Münchener Kindl'. The young girl that receives the prestige leads the parade dressed in a black and gold (the colors of the city) robe, as depicted on the crest of Munich. She is typically the daughter or tent owners and must make appearances in addition to learning how to ride a horse. It is neat to see the horses dragging kegs in - and these are monstrous kegs. The parade is a big production of who's who in Munich society, or as they say here 'the schicki micki' - basically all of the tent owners who you are paying nearly 10€ to for one litre of beer... and you thought gasoline was expensive. But the revelry and fun are very much worth it.

What a great city to live in!