The real Oktoberfest
I was not properly warned.
See I have seen a billion photos of Oktoberfest, and people told me how packed it was, and how much beer you drink, but that all was a VAST understatement. Let me tell you about my day Sunday.
Alarm goes off at 5:00 a.m. and its time to get up and dressed. Everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) wears a Dirndl or Lederhosen, but because I have not yet found the perfect one for me, I decided my Han Solo Disney Dress, a pair of boots, 2 pairs of socks, gloves, and a sweater which was definitely not enough for any day in October in Germany. Did my hair and makeup, and hoped in the car to get to the Nuremberg Haupbanhof where the super cheap 35€ train ticket for 4 lets us travel anywhere in Bavaria all day.
After finding a seat at a table, we settle in for the 2 hour train ride at 6:30 a.m., but not 20 minutes in does a teen with a beer come peddling around to see if we want to buy one. I of course was still smashing a pastry and a smoothie down my throat and couldn’t even think about drinking this early.
But seriously, 7 a.m. is a little early right? So i waited till 9 a.m. to have my first beer. but when you think beer in the states, its a glass. a measly glass. when you ask for “Eine Bier Bitte” and raise a thumb in the air, they think you mean you want a beer that is the size of your face. We later found out that they also play music in the tents that are all old drinking song, meant specifically to get people to drink more and talk less. Clever right? Until It is 11 a.m. and I am walking a zig zag holding on to the arms of my friends. Not because I was drunk! Because You can’t get through the crowds of 100,000 people without holding on for dear life to your friends hands while following the skinniest person in the group squeeze their way through the gaps in the never ending stream of people.
We were also not warned about the costs. I figured 50€ would be plenty, I didn’t plan on drinking too much, and wanted food and a souvenir. in reality if I had brought 200€ i would have only change jingling in my pockets by the end of the day if I actually enjoyed all that Oktoberfest had to offer. There were rides and fair games for as far as the eye could see. The ones that strap you in, spin you upside-down, and in loops. Games like wack-a-mole, something where you catapult a chicken into a basket, and pop the balloons. Haunted Houses, merry go rounds, and teacups. Colorful food stands, roasted everything, sweets galore, and smells that blended together to make you hungry no matter how much you have already consumed. The catch is all of the rides were 5€ - 8€ each, even the sausages were 5€, and a plate of food clocking in at 23€. Then of course you have to have a beer every 2 hours, so say you arrive at 9 a.m. and drink till 6 p.m., that is 5 beers at 9€ each. Your wallet magically looses weight at a remarkable speed.
But it is all in good fun, and it really was a blast. Didn’t have to worry about driving home after because all we had to do was catch the train home. enjoyed great food, amazing beer, great company, exciting atmosphere, amazing traditions, and memories that will last until next Oktoberfest. Until then I will be saving up in the piggy bank so I can get a real outfit, eat all of the amazing delicacies, drink a few more beers, and really enjoy the festival like a German.
