Eurotrip Day 10: Last day in Munich (9/24/13)

We were slow moving in the morning but C, D and I had some breakfast then headed back into the belly of the beast for one last Oktoberfest experience. First we went into the Fischer tent for a beer and then into Spaten for food and more beer. 

Inside of this tent looks similar to the one from the other day. They seem to be designed similarly with the brewery's colors and emblem changing.

The 3 of us (E had left yesterday, so today his brother was showing us around and hanging out) about to get our day started off right.

Next stop was the good ole Spaten tent. 

This is more what the inside of a tent I would expect to see, blue and white, with streamers everywhere. 

They even had city murals inside their tent. 

The band stand even had intricate decorations and design work. Still front and center.

Went into another tent just to see what it was like as there wasnt a line to get in. Being there during the day has its advantages. 

Auf Wiedersehen indeed Oktoberfest/Munich!

After a few there, we then went shopping for souvenirs (this is how they get you - drink then buy stuff you don't normally buy). After getting our shopping done, we tried to get into the tents again but by now, the crowds had descended on the Oktoberfest area and we were unable to get in anywhere. We left and went to augustinerkeller just north of the grounds for some beer before getting onto the train to head back to the place. We then packed as D heads back home and I head on with my trip tomorrow.

At a bier garten nearby to get some dinner and one last drink for the night before getting back to the place and getting ready for our departures.

Eurotrip Day 9: A respite from oktoberfest (aka exploring the city) (9/23/13)

E left today, so D and I were to explore on our own. Since D had not been to munich before, I wanted to show him the city that I loved so much from my first trip so we took a day from the festivities to see the city. After walking around the old town a bit, I showed him the surfing area in the english garden and then we explored a part of town I hadn't seen before; another part of the english garden and this really rich part of the town (Maximilianstrasse or somewhere near there). 

We got back into town and start looking around at the architecture and city that is not Oktoberfest.

I am following D. He seems to want to go through the castle gates. We were in this area the first night, but definitely looks different during the day.

Clocktower with a cuckoo clock. Beautiful tower.

Found some greenery to enjoy the beautiful day. Its a shame that crane is in the picture. 

Residence museum of Munich. I thought the different doors looked kinda cool. 

Cool little church we stumbled upon on our walk.

They have beautiful parks to just walk around and explore all around the city. This is one of many.

We also stumbled upon a horse drawn carriage bringing barrels of beer to oktoberfest. Should we just hitch a ride?

Munich's own arc de triumph. Seem like every city has one of these.

This was a university building that I hadnt seen before as we ventured to a new part of town than what I explored on my previous trip. 

Taking pictures as we walk around the city. Many beautiful sights from all over.

Cant remember how many of these bridges we crossed. I do remember one of them started accumulating locks like the famous love lock bridge in Paris. The city then put up plastic sheets to keep people from putting more. Either way, it is a nice view down the river.

That is the building where we will walk to, then start heading back as we have dinner plans with a friend from grad school and C, E's brother.

This building had cars diverted around it, with a drive way going up the the hill to it. Do not remember what it was, but it was impressive.

When in Europe, appreciate the old buildings/churches.

Going back across the river to find dinner. Thought this was a pretty nice view.

Once we were done walking around, we met C and J at the Hofbrau haus for dinner and drinks and to hang out for a bit before C had to take off.  We then explored around Marienplatz to grab another beer before we caught the last train back to the house.

Found our dinner spot. Should be tasty.

Eurotrip Day 8: Crazy Shenanigans inside the Paulaner tent (9/22/13)

We did not get an early start on the day as planned (surprise surprise) but we did get ready and then headed back to oktoberfest after a quick breakfast. This time we got off at Hakerbrucke stop instead of the main stop like the day before and entered the fair grounds through the main gate. We saw that Paulaner had no lines so we went there and got a place inside right near the band (band was up on a giant elevated pedestal in the middle of the tent). One point I forgot to mention is the size of these tents; these things are built to withstand small hurricane force winds it seems and they are massive, housing 100s of people in each of the ~12-14 tents on the fair grounds. 

The proper entrance to the festivities. Game on! 

We made it into the tent. Now lets have a proper oktoberfest experience!

Found some seats at a table. Some good looking fellas right there!

One of many views from inside the tent. that is one direction, as we are in the middle of the tent.

Our table mates (many from australia) all enjoying our time by the bandstand. 

Friends gotta have drinks with each other, regardless of at home or on vacation.

The aussie guy and I hanging out.

Let the table standing begin. 

The tents have these elevated seating areas in them. I think that is a boar looking at the camera. 

Other side of the tent. With the german eagles. 

View looking across the tent. these tents are massive!

They tried teaching us an aussie drinking song. it didnt go well. I had this card in my wallet for months after this trip.

The beer servers are hosses. I couldnt count the number of mugs shes carrying (with one hand) but DAYUM! 

Apparently Tigger is a drinker. Dont show your kids this. 

We sit at a table with a good mix of people and just enjoy talking to them as we drink and eat as one does at a festival. As the day wore on, I noticed that the people in the tent were getting more into the spirit of the festival; starting to stand on tables during Ein Prosit, reveling in the company of the people around them, typical happy drunk people stuff. It was a much different/more rowdy atmosphere from the previous day. Somehow we lost E while in the tent (that story for later). 

We outlasted our original table mates and found some new ones.  

Band playing out to the crowd. Us enjoying the night. A little while before this, Elias somehow got lost and we spent the rest of the night just the 2 of us.

I made my way up to join the band. There was a door I just walked through and they let me come up and hang with them. I was expecting to be thrown out 

Me making fun of Dodd cause he couldnt find me as I was calling his name. 

This guy is probably thinking "stupid american!" but hes smiling so I did my job.

Hanging out behind the drummer as he rips it up! hahah Not sure if traditional german music constitutes ripping the drums but yes.

As D and I were sitting there drinking, I decided to try and go up to join the band; to my surprise, whatever I told the bouncer worked and I was allowed to go up into the middle pedestal thing and take pictures and yelled down at D to come join. So we drank while the band played before going back down to the table and eventually stumbled out of there. On our way out, D had the brilliant idea of riding those swinging chairs that take you high into the sky and whip you around - just what this drunk guy who is scared of heights needs (to this day i am surprised I didnt hurl as I do not do well with heights). We did it, though it was expensive for us (5E each), and then we made our way back to the house, having some doner kebabs on the way. 

Remember those chairs I thought were a "great" idea. Yeah we are about to get on them. Stupid Dodd! I hate you! :) 

We need a ticket to ride the chairs? Well alrighty then. Here we go.

Wee!!!

Now for E’s night - he had had enough drink and got back to the house only to realize that either I or dodd had the key. so he was stalking around his brother’s place trying to find a way in while hiding from cars driving by because he left his shirt in the cab or something like that. He eventually found us as we were walking to the house through the neighborhood. It was definitely an interesting night.

Eurotrip Day 7: A brief adventure on opening day of Oktoberfest (9/21/13)

Had breakfast at the house before heading into town to explore the oktoberfest grounds. Looked at all the carnival rides and stuff happening all around us. Then we go to the beer tents and realize there are long lines everywhere. Lowenbrau did not have a line so we went right into the biergarten and got a seat with a mixed group of locals/foreigners. We stayed in that biergarten all day just taking in the craziness that is oktoberfest, drinking steins of lowenbrau until no more could be tolerated. Headed home around 9 to get some rest and have a big day the next day.

So the thought process on having this here "what could we have at our all day drinking fest?" "how about a contraption that swing people around in a circle high in the sky?" "BRILLIANT!" (foreshadowing on our great ideas)

Part of one of the beer "tents" As you will see more in depth tomorrow, these tents are bigger than some convention centers.

Each one has its own decorations.So pick your favorite one and go for it!

Why do all these places have lines? Cool seeing all these people in one place but so many lines.

At one end of the grounds is this greek building. People were sitting up there presumably drinking and just hanging out. No idea what the building is.

We finally got into a tent (or at least the outdoor biergarten) so beers for the gang.

View from the inside of the biergarten we were in. I think those towers were actually climbable (stairs inside) cause I remember people being a the top.

We found a table and decided to make friends with our neighbors.

Some sun and suds. Instant friends.

One of the guys at our table was a Japanese fella traveling on his own. We had some fun times at this table.

Where are all these hats coming from?!?!?! 

Still on those first beers. :) Pay no attention to those empties in front of us.

You want a definition of a hot mess???? This guy was all kinds of it. Not sure where he left his shirt but it was a spectacle. 

My drink is finally getting empty. It took me all day but I finally conquered it. 

Sunset view. Beautiful sky for such a great day.  

Walking home after a successful day of oktoberfesting. Tomorrow we get up early in hopes of getting inside a tent.