OKTOBERFEST!!!!!!

So we decided to go to Oktoberfest a little last minute. Many people plan the event out months or even an entire year ahead. We, however, finalized our plans about a week before. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't entirely sure whether or not I really wanted to go to the fest because I didn't really know what to expect.

Let me just say I'm glad I decided to go.

Because we're young and dumb, we decided to book a night train so that we'd get to Munich at 7 in the morning and then we'd be able to party at Oktoberfest all day. So we took the midnight train from Bonn to Munich and slept on the train. We got to our hotel in Munich at about 7:30 and got ready for the day. We took a taxi to the actual grounds of Oktoberfest and waited outside of the Paulaner tent with hoards of others. Once they opened up the doors it was a mad rush to find a table. After about 20 minutes of no success, we finally found a table and sat with 2 german girls and 4 Texans dressed in lederhosen (I know right?).

They don't actually tap the kegs until 12pm so we had to wait about 2 and a half hours to actually get our first beers. The beers came just in time too because we were all tired from traveling and ready to start this party. Finally the tent livened up, people started to yell and stand on tables and music started playing; it was time to tap the keg. After a 30 second countdown in German (which I was very proud to be able to do) the party began and the beer was brought out in droves. I have no idea how the waiters and waitresses were able to carry 10 beers 1 liter each to each table but it was surely a sight to be seen.

After the first beers were brought out, we had reached the point of no return. More live German music was played, people continued to dance on tables and the day just got crazier and crazier. Women were walking around with breathalyzers so that people could find out their blood alcohol content and even get a certificate to show off their high score. It was seriously one of the most fun places I had ever been to; after people started to dance on the tables I knew I wouldn't have a problem fitting in.

We pretty much partied in the tent all day and in the evening walked all around outside looking at the carnival rides. After we were done walking around we decided to go back into another tent (the other Paulaner one) and see what it was like. This time we found a table with some Italians and proceeded to dance on these tables as well. Each of the tents have a different feel and even though this tent was owned by the same owner as the one we were at earlier, it definitely seemed more American. The singers in this tent were definitely German but played a more classic American playlist with songs like "Proud Mary" and "No Woman No Cry" we obviously enjoyed this very much but got tired out really quickly and left for our hotel at around 10pm.

The next day was a little bit more relaxed. We just walked around and looked at all of the tent. Gabby and I had been talking about the Hippodrome for months so we went in and decided to take a look around. The tent is known for being super exclusive but somehow we got in and were seated by a hostess. It was fun but I was happy that we had spent the previous day in the Paulaner tent. After the Hippodrome, we walked around and met up with some friends who were also at Oktoberfest outside the Lowenbrau Tent. It seemed as though we picked the interntational tent because there were so many people from other countries surrounding us. We sat in between some Australians and a few Englishmen. Finally it was time to head back to Bonn. We took another night train and returned to Bonn at around 5 in the morning. Luckily I had no class all day and was able to sleep and reflect on what an awesome time I had and how lucky I am to be able to experience all this!