Oktoberfest

Since even before I knew I was going to be studying abroad in Germany, I have been eagerly anticipating experiencing one particular event: Oktoberfest.  Despite such lofty expectations, the three days I spent last weekend at Oktoberfest  go down as some of the best times I have had in my life.  Held annually in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is a two and half week long festival that is the encapsulation of everything Bavarian: amusement park rides, sausages, and beer.  The festival is located on a field named Theresienwiese near Munich's center, providing a spectacular setting for Oktoberfest.    


After a quick 50 minute flight, my friend Greg and I had arrived in Munich, where we were greeted by my girlfriend Sam and her college roommate Klara.  Our apartment, incredibly organized by Klara, was located a short U-Bahn trip from the festival's grounds, a perfect location to get to Theresienwiese quickly while still being able to escape the masses of people that attend Oktoberfest.    

Me and my new Austrian friend

My trip to Oktoberfest can really be divided into two parts: Thursday/Friday and Saturday.  The festival, quite obviously, was not nearly as crowded the first two days I was there as it was on Saturday.  Since the crowds were not quite as overwhelming, I had much more freedom in strolling around the festival and was able to dip in and out of the beer tents basically at will.  I rode several of the amusement rides, which were far more extensive and elaborate than I had expected.  On Thursday and Friday I was fortunate enough to meet great people from all over the world, including Austria, Spain, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and, of course, some native Bavarians.  (I also met some Italians, but I thought they were creeps, a sentiment seemingly shared by many Oktoberfest visitors.) 

Hofbrau-Festzelt from the outside

Inside of Hofbrau

Saturday's crowds, however, did not allow for such mobility.  Knowing that it would take hours to get into any particular beer tent by the afternoon, several friends and I headed to the Hofbräu-Festzelt tent in the morning to secure a table.  The largest of Oktoberfest tents, Hofbräu-Festzelt has garnered a reputation over the years for being the most popular tent among American college students.  Once in the tent, it was pretty incredible how many college kids I either knew or had mutual friends with.  They say it's a small world, and I can personally account for Oktoberfest making it even smaller.


Before having to head to the airport to catch my return flight to Berlin, I went with my good friend from Eustace Jon Maniaci and his friends from Georgetown to Dachau.  Located just north of Munich, the quaint town of Dachau is infamous for the concentration camp located there.  Established in 1933, the Dachau concentration camp was the first large-scale camp created by the Nazis.  My experience seeing the remains of the camp was very similar to that of when I visited Sachenhausen.  Walking through the remaining barracks and other camp structures, including the gas chamber, provided ample opportunity for quiet reflection.  As with Sachenhausen, I was grateful for the opportunity to bear witness to the memory of the atrocities committed there, despite the feelings of disgust that accompanied my visit.


Since my program's midterms are being held this week, I don't think I'll have many experiences worthy of blogging about until next week, when my friend Derek is visiting for the week.  We'll be in Prague for a few days next week so I will be sure to write about our adventures in the Czech Republic.  Until then, take care and go Phillies!