Oktoberfest 2010

What a day!! I was slightly nervous about going period because of the crowds and the dogs. But, we didn't have much of a choice. We were going to be gone for so long that we couldn't leave them at the apartment for that many hours, so we knew we had to take them with us. That was also something we considered before we brought them to Germany. Whatever we did, they were going to have to come with us!! We got on the train in Erlangen around 8am and there were lots of people already drinking! One thing that I didn't realize about Oktoberfest is that all the locals dress up in traditional German clothing (most people at least). It was really neat to see all outfits! When we changed trains in Nuremberg, we got on right by the bar...we decided that it would be fun to stay there! And it was...we met 4 American guys. 2 were actually in Erlangen working for Siemens also (they left on Sunday) and the other 2 were military guys. So, we got off the train in Munich and the station was PACKED. We found the lockers to put up the puppy carriers and followed everyone out in the direction toward Oktoberfest. It was pouring!!! I felt oh so sad for the puppies, they were soaked and shivering. We finally got to the grounds and saw a sign that said no dogs. We were turning around when I decided to ask the security gaurd at the gate. He said they were fine to come in!! It was empty outside around the rides, etc. We found our way to a beer tent...and there was a REALLY long line of people waiting to get in. A woman told us that it was one in, one out and it was still pouring. We knew the pups couldn't get in, but Tyler was going to try and go in and have a beer. I had seen a covered bar on our way in that wasn't crowded, so we decided to go back there just to get out of the rain and decide what we were going to do. I really wanted to get somewhere that I could dry the dogs off, they were so cold!! We found a seat, got a beer, wrapped the pups up in my scarf and decided that we would stay put for a while and see if the rain let up. Our train wasn't until 8pm and we were trying to plan out the rest of the day and then tossing around the idea of coming back the following weekend for a shorter amount of time and leaving the dogs at home. BUT...the day turned out to be great!! 4 really cool American guys sat down at the table with us and we ended up sitting there with them all day and having a blast! The rain let up for a little while and I walked around and got some pictures. Later in the afternoon, the guys left and 6 older German men sat down with us. Not one of them spoke a lick of English...it was quite entertaining to watch Tyler try and communicate with them! We walked to the front entrance (not where we came in) to get a picture of the sign...when we turned around to come back in, we were stopped by 2 security gaurds and told that the puppies couldn't come in!! Turns out dogs AREN'T allowed in Oktoberfest and our pups had been hanging out all day. :) We did notice that there were no other dogs, but we just thought we were the only ones dumb enough to bring them! Then the gaurd told us if we went around to the side, they weren't patroling as much and we could get them in there. We got a few souvenirs and then we were ready to look for some dinner in somewhere covered because it had started raining again!! Here are some pictures of the rides there. They looked like so much fun!! But it was slightly cold for me to get on rides. :( I said it quit raining...the sun never really came out, it was still pretty yuck all day. Some locals admiring a few of the rides...I wish I would have gotten some better shots of all the outfits, but so many were covered up with jackets, etc. An example of the side bars that were set up all over the place...not the ideal hang out, most people want to hang out in the tents. These boys saw me taking pictures and started screaming at me to take theirs...pretty funny. Our beers...not quite as big as what they were serving in the tents, but that was just fine with me! Everyone bought these cookies and was wearing them around their neck all day. I am not sure what the majority of them said, I wish I would have translated some. One girl told us that hers said "My house or yours?" So...I stuck with a generic one that said Oktoberfest. :) There is no telling what I could have been walking around with! I also got the smallest one because they were expensive!! Dancing on the tables to a man who played "When the Saints Go Marching In" on a trumpet over and over and over!! Me stressed out because the puppies were absolutely terrified of the damn trumpet. Sprocket was shaking like I have never seen him shake!! The crowds outside of the little bar we were in. When we first got there in the morning, this area was completely empty. Once the rain stopped, it filled up fast! Tyler winning a toy for the pups!! Which I think already has the eyes chewed out. But, they loved it! Trying on some hats at the train station on our way home... Wemsie wanting to be like mommy!! The Hippodrome tent where all the celebrities hang out. Kim Kardashian had been there a few days before us. :) There was apparently also a huge soccer game in Munich the same day. All of these guys were hyped up over the win and trashed on the train on the way home. It was pretty crazy. I got some good video of them singing songs and if I can ever figure out how to upload them to the blog, I will share. The bartender in the beer cart on the train lied and said they were out of beer because these guys were so drunk. They had gotten on the train with some, but they used it all up shaking it and spraying it everywhere! It was an interesting ride to say the least. As we were getting off in Nuremberg, they started singing "Everybody was Kung Fu fighting" and Tyler and I sang the next line thinking everyone would sing along, but apparently we were the only ones that knew it!! So, everyone started cheering really loud! Then they were screaming "American sing us a song!!" (That is what our new Military attorney told us) but, we were getting off so we didn't have the chance! Overall it was a great day! We met so many interesting people and had a really good time. We didn't leave the couch all day on Sunday! The weather has cooled down a lot this week and we are having to bundle up more and more. It is a fight every morning over who is going to take the puppies out! Tyler got off work a little early today and we went to Hertz to reserve our rental car for next weekend. Reagan and Mikey will be here and we are headed to Prague!