Oktoberfest 2009

It was another GREAT weekend in Munich!

But before you get there, it is always question of "how". We usually like to take train since we can both relax and read, have coffee in restaurant car and so on. However, taking train to Munich during Oktoberfest is not always the best choice.



These drunk Swiss people were continuously singing and shouting as they were already in a tent. When you happen to be same wagon with these kind of people, 5 hours ride to Munich becomes nightmare.

Anyway, we survived.



This time, we stayed by Thomas, a friend of Odie. I see him like a cousin of Odie since they know each others for a long long time. Thomas cook fabulous.



Ohhhh this pasta was gorgeous. After experiencing hell in train, I jumped up to heaven. It was really delicous.



He was like a professional cook.


Since we took it easy on the first night of our arrival, we were in full power on the next day.



I explored the city, where my father used to live. I have some memory that I walked the city with him.
It was a beautiful day.



I love Victoria Markt.



Munich is great, even the city is locating inland, they have variety of fresh seafood!!



I had really nice lunch.

Our weekend of Octoberfest is little bit different from last year. Last year, we stand in a line in front of the test at 9 o'clock in the morning. I was so exhausted in early afternoon. This year, we enjoyed the city for a while and headed to Wiesen around 3 o'clock.

I think this is the best to start a party.





Thomas is also in Lederhose.



Odie bought me a Lebkuchen as usual...



with strange sentence as USUAL!!:) "My funny bunny".

He prefer finding these unique phrase than simply "ich liebe dich" and so.



Thanks to our friends who we met by wedding, we managed to get seats in this tent.



It was very kind of Anna and Christian. Without their kind offer, we could never find a seat.



As usual, it is sooooo amazing how many people are squeezed in a tent.



What great about the test is live music. If you just want to drink, there are seats outside as well where you don't have to reserve. But this live music is something encourage the atmosphere of Octoberfest.



Jumbo pretzel.



Traditional German food..



Beer, beer and beer...



Although I cannot drink beer, I enjoyed the fest year by year. It's because I getting know these "Octoberfest lied" better than before. I can slowly sing even with gesture! Indiana song is my favorite.



But later in the evening, more people get drunk. Sometime I had to dance with a stranger whom I even didn't want to.



and a German guy in my neighbor never allow me to toast with water glass anymore. Every time we toast, he forced me to take a beer. Ohhhh nooooooo.

I never stayed Otcoberfest so late. We stayed until the test close.



Thomas is half dutch and he is the strongest in alcohol. Even though he had lots of beer, he was sharp enough to shoot the targets:)



and I got many flowers! Thanks Thomas!

But afterward, Odie and I have been dragged to roller coaster. We were knocked out:) Roller Coaster after drinks..What a tough man..



On the next day, we had a beautiful Sunday brunch and nice walk in a garden. I'm sure people in Munich are happy to have such a wonderful, big garden in the middle of the city. We have visited Octoberfest twice in the past but I think this year was the best. We concentrated on the party from Saturday afternoon but the rest, we've just relaxed and enjoyed the city. Yes, Munich is the city worth to stay and hang out.



Although we were annoyed by drunk people in the train back to Zurich, sunset at Bodensee was beautiful as usual.

Which cosmetic matches to this event?



Weleda Sloes Fit Juice 200ml<br>
After many glasses of beer, you need to detox and bring your body condition back to fit. Weleda Elixir will help you.

You can get it here.

City Cruise

... with bicycle cart:)



From Wiesen, you could take a ride to the city!

Not cheap but fun! We took two cars and drove together with 2 pairs.


At first, I was a little bit afraid and wishing "please don't bang to anything!" but soon, I found it very comfortable! A woman who drove bicycle was very good and also talkative. She joked, "Slim Japanese and Swiss are easy!"



In Japan, there is a smiliar one called "Jinrikisya" which means, "Car of Human power". Instead of driving bicycle, a man pull the cart and run! This is very tough work. Interesting that this bicycle cart is called "Richshy" in German. Similar name!


Baby in the stomach of my friend was also satisfied with comfortable shake:)



It was a great closing of a fun festival day!! Also see the video

Oktoberfest

Over the weekend, we went München!! The purpose of the visit is of course, having party at the world famous Oktoberfest!! Yes!! Thanks god that we're living in Zürich. We could enjoy this popular festival only over the weekend without taking extra holidays.

Visiting München means more than enjoying Oktoberfest for me. I have couple of friends there. On Saturday, a friend of mine who is Japanese girl, joined us whole day even she is planned to have a baby in one month!
First thing we've done before going "Wiesen";the big platz where Oktoberfest take place, is buying traditional dress. Girls wear a dress call Dirndl and boys wear Lederhose. There were variety of Dirndl, many different colors and different length of skirt. I chose blue-purple one which is my favorite color. My husband bought full costume from shoes to shirts:)


So we are well equipped and went Wiese. Oktoberfest... it is indeed a HUGE festival. I say, one big amusement park is suddenly appear in the city where you can drink all day. There are a number of attractions and food stands just like in amusement park. What makes it different from amusement park is that there are lots of temporary made giant tents where people squeeze in each tables and drinking like a hell:)

Drinking inside...

Drinking outside.

It's true that tons of tons of beer are served in every seconds. Can't believe how powerful these waiters and waitresses are.. They are carrying 10 huge glasses at once.

Tents are normally reserved in advance. I heard reservation is accepted from beginning of the year. Outside seats are also totally full but we had a luck to find a seat.

Roasted chicken is the popular food served at the test. And other German foods which is basically all about meat.

Huge Prezel!!

Shame that I can't drink beer. But I can enjoy the atmosphere without drinking!! People easily get to know each others with neighbors. The guy behind us often came to our table and asked to sing together. The other guy, who was totally drunk constantly bothering us and at the end, he spilled the water on my camera!!
But I also got to know a girl who was sitting at the table next to us. We talked indeed a lot. She was such a heart warming girl.


Mattias, a husband of my Japanese friend is a real German. He is totally satisfied and relaxed after couple of beers. We also had lots of fun together! Hmmm, this is the way you enjoy beer.. How to enjoy beer can be learned from real German!
My husband tricked me. He bought me a pretty cookie in heart shape. Something was written on it but since it was Bayern German, I didn't understand. I was happily hanging the heart cookie from the neck but somehow it dragged the attention from everybody. As I was waiting for my friends to come, some boys even tried to kiss me. (just teasing me) Later, I found out that it was written "GIVE ME A KISS"!

Girls are checking Dirndl dress of each others. It is like a Tanabata festival from my hometown. Girls all go festival with Yukata (Japanese traditional summer dress) on. At the festival, most of them check others Yukata since it also has many colours and designs. I was really satisfied with my Dirndl but it was also interesting to see other girls how they are wearing it.
We left around 6 pm but of course party goes on until late and for next 3 weeks! How the city spend energy for the festival (maybe it profits more!) is amazing. And it prove that having party with beer is absolutely the best pleasure for German people. The people, totally strangers gather at once and all have a good time, talking, singing and even dancing together. This culture of course attracts many foreigners as well and involving lots of tourist as well every year.

It was blessing day. Catching up with friends and at the same time, experiencing new culture. My weekend couldn't be a better one!!