Germans know how to party

Octoberfest in Munich. What a party!! We had trouble getting Eurorail reservations from Paris to Munich the day before Octoberfest begins. The London agent was so patient and kind. More than 30 minutes later he found a way to get us there. It meant changing trains 4 times, but that's ok because we got to see all the beautiful France and Germany countryside. We were also very impressed by the efficiency of Eurorail.

Octoberfest officially begins at noon on Saturday, Sept. 17 with the tapping of the first keg by the mayor of Munich. 

The day was sunny and pleasant. We walked a couple blocks from our Hotel to see the parade, and what a parade. All the breweries in Octoberfest are represented - Hofbrau, Lowenbrau, Paulsner, Augustinea etc. Their  coaches were being pulled by teams of Clydesdale horses all dolled up. The bands, the flowers, the beer all passing by us. After the parade we followed the crowd to Octoberfest, another 4  blocks away. It is amazing to walk through the gate and see the amusement rides and the mass of people. I especially enjoyed all the costumes. The Lederhosens (suspendered shorts) on the men and the durendels (dresses) on the women were all unique and the German people are very proud of their heritage. The durendels are so colorful and feminine. I was tempted to buy one, but I don't know where in Florida I could wear it except at a Floridian Octoberfest.

OK. Here's the scoop on Octoberfest. RESERVE A TABLE. We didn't and no beer was sold by the outside vendors. Imagine not being able to buy a beer at Octoberfest. Say it isn't so. The only beer sold in in the Bier Gartens if you have a reserved table. Thankfully we found one Garten that sold beer at a bar and we stood and drank and listened to the band. It still was lots of fun.

We returned that evening hoping to find a seat at a table. All the popular Gartens were filled to capacity. We returned to the one we found a beer in and wonder of wonders there was available seating at a table outside. Couples from India, London, Kenya and Bosnia were sharing the table with us. We ordered beer and danced on the table to the music. The band played many American songs "Sweet Caroline", "I will Survive", etc. What amazed me is people from all over the world were singing the songs in English with the band. Of course, we also heard many German songs which were also upbeat.

We saw one more parade Sunday morning. It was a drizzly day, but we were dressed in our LL Bean jackets and ready for any weather. This parade was different. Every Bavarian community was represented. Everyone marching were in the traditional costumes of their communities and these costumes are all adorable. 

We returned to Octoberfest hoping that the crowd may have thinned due to the weather and we could sit down. Eddie really wanted to go into the Spaten Garteen. No luck. We returned to, I believe, was the Paulsner Garten and ordered a beer at the bar. We stood and listened to the excellent band for a long time. They were imitating ZZ Top,. They even sang "Take me home Country Road" by John Denver and the whole hall sang along. 

We would love to return to Octoberfest. Next time we're reserving a table. Anyone interested? 2013 perhaps? It is a great party. The Germans know how to throw one. More to come. Innsbruck Austria next for one night and then on to Venice.