Oktoberfest 2006Ach! Kofschmerzen! Oh my head. But it was worth it, I think. Yesterday, we celebrated the Oktoberfest with Alex’s company. They had reservations like last year only this time I brought it up a notch. How, you say?
Meet the pink Dirndl with my lighter shade of pink Schürze (apron). It’s tons of fun dressing up in Tracht (traditional German Bavarian costume). But it didn’t come without the overwhelming male attention. That I hate because I feel like an amateur every time I encounter the next guy who thinks he’s ‘fallin’ after the 3rd Mass. It would be nice to tuck my good nature in another place for a while. It didn’t seem to matter that I was arm in arm with my man. They’d come by anyway, strike up a conversation about their fiancé being away and it being ‘hard’, or develop a permanent neck crick. I get uneasy with that type of attention. But Alex was a super regulator for the evening. Mein Held!
The evening was a mix of German and English conversations. By half a mass, it was easy enough to switch between both. The conversations ended up being a blend of both, probably a nightmare for one who knows only one or the other. I spoke with another American about the difficulty adapting with some aspects of German culture and maintaining identity with the American stereotypes, especially those loud American visitors who flaunt their ignorance on the streets. But he also found it hard because he knows that he will return to the States sooner or later. I told him the same advice I received before I left for Germany: Keeping the idea that you will be returning to your home country some day, so what’s the point? will turn to thoughts of regret. Make the most of each day in your host country as if you were there to stay.
Our reservation included a half a Hendl (chicken) for everyone and a couple of mass a piece. However, the kitchen didn’t count on the number of people that evening (yeah, it’s Monday but morgen is a holiday, duh!) The server told us we could go to the office and turn in our ticket for cash or wait an hour. That was a six o’clock and the Euro is pretty filthy tasting. So we waited. 1:30 hours later, tipsy, we turned in one ticket for wurst, sauerkraut & potato salad. Sauerkraut was not happening that evening. Still no chicken. Our compadres were bouncing on the tables by then.
Finally, one organizer took charge and ruffed up the manager of the kitchen. The manager said the kitchen was out of chicken but we were to receive the last dozen from the spit. But while they were being prepared, the manager gave us ice cold samples of 38% alcohol content Schnapps. Brilliant. Just what I need on a beer filled stomach! But we got our chicken at 9:00 pm. It’s all good. We were having a great time singing and dancing with the band.
Till next year! Happy Anniversary König Ludwig and Königin Therese!
You look adorable in your dirndl!
Oktoberfest is a wild time, that’s for sure. Hubby says he wants to go one more time before he dies. I told him I’m not sure that it just might be the thing that kills him!
I’ve never been to Oktoberfest – the ammount of beer would probably do me in! I bet the schnapps didn’t help the next day! :beer:
Sounds like it was mostly a good time with a few mostly minor inconveniences. Definitely made for the sort of story worth telling. Glad it all worked out though.
Me would like a whole hendl please :jittery:
It sounds like you have a very nice escort :wub:
@Maribeth: I know it’s so hard to keep a healthy pace at the Oktoberfest.
@Haddock: You should definitely attend! There’s stuff for Juniorette to do/see too.
@James: Yep, you gotta take everything with a grain of salt when it comes to German service.
@Tiger: 1 hendl, coming up! :thumbup: