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.