munich loves you

This episode written just for you from somewhere in the Alps aboard a bus to Venice after leaving Munich. It has not all been fun and games, these are serious times in Munich with pretty girls in pretty dresses, pretty boys in pretty leather shorts (Beth's words), and litres of the finest Bavarian ales.

We arrived for the first day of Oktoberfest at 8am with hopes of getting a seat in one of the famous beer tents. Much waiting saw us sitting outside in the shining sun, eating pretzel, waiting for the beer to flow. On the first day the beer doesn't start til midday after a parade and the tapping of the first keg. It was clear that the locals don't let this delay affect their fun, as everyone in the know had bought along picnics and their own beverages to fill in those first few hours. The fun began at noon!

Behind us, our loud and happy Italian friends. In front, our Bavarian friends (no, I don't know what I'm doing with my face...).

We were warned by Thomas that the best way to line your stomach was with famous Bavarian chicken and pretzel. Delicious.

We went for a rest break amongst the fair and it was huge! I won Beth some romantic presents with my gun-ninja skills.

And now some other pictures...

The next day, held back by what could possibly have been a hangover (surely not...) we went sightseeing in central Munich.

We also took a stroll through the gardens – surfing in central Munich! Rad!

The greatest pleasure of our stay in Munich has been staying with our new friend Thomas and his wonderful family! On our last night we were treated by Monica to a traditional dinner of roast pork, sauerkraut, potatoes and gravy. So homely and so very delicious!

Oktoberfest was great fun and not nearly as drunken-seedy as we had feared (although we read in the paper that a poor Aussie wandered in front of a train post-festivities) and we wished we had more time to spend in Munich and to hang out with Thomas and family. Next time...

James and Beth. X.