Summary

An American recounts her first experience attending Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, where she navigates the festivities while maintaining her sobriety amidst a sea of revelers.

Abstract

The author shares her personal account of attending the iconic Oktoberfest festival in Munich, Germany, for the first time in 2018. Despite initial reservations and a commitment to sobriety, she embraces the local Bavarian culture by donning a dirndl and joining her husband and friends in the festivities. The narrative describes the massive crowds, the vibrant atmosphere of the beer gardens, and the challenges of managing small bladders in packed venues. While she partakes in some drinking, she avoids excessive intoxication, unlike many other attendees. The trip culminates in a mix of cultural experiences, amusement park rides, and people-watching, leading to a memorable yet one-time experience for the author.

Opinions

The author initially viewed Oktoberfest as an over-the-top celebration but came to appreciate its cultural significance and fair-like atmosphere.
She expresses amusement at her husband's traditional lederhosen outfit and is pleasantly surprised by her own dirndl.
The author acknowledges the potential for overindulgence and trouble but chooses to partake in moderation.
She is taken aback by the level of intoxication among some attendees, particularly noting the sight of passed-out individuals and the frequent use of bathrooms.
Despite the debauchery, the author emphasizes the joy of people-watching and the communal experience of the festival.
The author concludes that while Oktoberfest was a unique and enjoyable experience, once was enough for her, and she suggests that others can find similar celebrations closer to home.

An American’s First Time at Oktoberfest

Somehow I managed to not be the girl passed out on the toilet

Before heading to Oktoberfest, I thought of it as an extravagant and out-of-control party that was an excuse to celebrate all over the world. Starting in Germany back on October 12, 1810, it commenced the start of the Bavarian culture.

Now, the 17-day festival begins in late September and runs until the first Sunday in October. Around 6 million people flock to Munich to guzzle beer by the gallons amongst others that came to clink their glasses and celebrate life.

Or, to throw up on the carnival rides and pass out on grasses, in bathroom stalls, and just about anywhere outside.

Four years ago I agreed to the idea of flying to Germany to attend Oktoberfest. My husband had been two times without me, both times I was sober and had no desire to go.

This time though, I was probably going to drink on the trip, and return to live my normal sober life.

Sounds like a plan, right? Overdrink for a week straight, head home, and you’ll be just fine.

My twisted thinking always got me in trouble. Now that I look back on this time, I could have very well gone sober and had a good time. It is really just like a giant fair.

Before we left my husband urged me to get a dirndl. He said that everyone wears one and he pulled out his lederhosen with the matching hat.

He looked ridiculous and I loved it.

I scoured Amazon to find a dirndl although most of them looked like Halloween costumes and I wanted something that looked more authentic if I was going to be wearing it for a few days.

We had a few weeks before we left so I was able to order it from another site and when it arrived, I was pleased. It was pretty cute. I don’t know why I resisted.

My husband and I in our traditional outfits — Photo Credit: Author

The day arrived in late September of 2018 when we would depart from Los Angeles International Airport to fly to Munich, Germany. We were flying with my husband’s brother and sister-in-law while meeting another couple in Munich.

After the 11-hour flight and not much sleep, we embarked on a taxi through beautiful Munich to our Airbnb, which ended up being in a central location close to the U-Bahn. It is similar to the subway in New York City.

Our friends that were staying at the Airbnb with us arrived at the same time and we got all checked in.

We had a three bedroom and it was the perfect size for us three couples. Even the fridge was stocked with drinks. Our plan was to head out to dinner and hit the sack early so we were well-rested for a whole day at Oktoberfest.

The next morning, we went for a run through a nearby beautiful park before our week of debauchery. Somehow that would counteract what we were about to ingest all day.

Inside the English Garden — Photo Credit: Author

The English Garden was an incredible place for a run/walk and I should have spent a little more time there, and a little less debauchery. But, that is not how the trip went.

After our run, we showered and got all gussied up in our Oktoberfest gear, hit the U-Bahn, and arrived at the entrance. My husband wasn’t kidding when we told me how crowded it was going to be.

Inside Oktoberfest — Photo Credit: Author

Good thing that the venue is gigantic and there were tons of beer gardens (Biergarten in German) inside.

Once we got in, we took all of our obligatory photos and headed to my husband’s favorite Biergarten, Hofbrau.

Even though the venue was quite large, the Biergarten was packed full. We were lucky enough to spot one small table and we elbowed our way through the sea of people so we could post up.

“Sweet Caroline” begins to play and the crowd goes wild. The huge glass steins (beer mugs) were waving around in the air, while beer would slosh out of them into the air. When the song comes to an end, everyone lifts their glass and screams “Proooooosssssstttttt!!!!”

Giant chickens on platters are seen moving through the air by waitresses holding them above their heads. Schnitzel, pretzels, potatoes, and cabbage seem to be the other staples. My husband devours an entire chicken himself. Impressive.

One large beer deep and I already have to frequent the bathroom, which I will continue to do throughout the day. Having a bladder the size of a pea when you are around thousands of people isn’t ideal.

Each time I would use the bathroom, I would see something interesting. The “water closet” is packed full like sardines, everyone drunk and trying not to lose it before they hit the stall.

A girl that looks the same age as my daughter, but probably 18, is laid up on the ground speaking nonsense. Her friends are all trying to get her to stand up and get out of the bathroom. I immediately try to help them and they finally get her out.

Another time, an older lady is passed out on the toilet. This should make others stop drinking but to no avail, that doesn’t happen.

2 mugs in, my sister-in-law and I decided that we can’t fit any more beer in our bellies and wandered outside of the tent to scour the carnival for something lighter.

We settle on some “wodka” and red bull to pep us up, as it’s only 2 in the afternoon and we have to make it all day.

Later on, our group decides that we need to try some of the rides, and while watching a few people get sick on one that we are waiting in line for, I decided to sit that out.

Spinning around in a circle while drunk isn’t a good idea — Photo Credit: Author

People watching was good enough for me and there was plenty to be seen on the sidelines.

We all made it through the day unscathed, got back to our place late that night, and went to bed just to repeat everything the following day.

While it was a fun trip and we all had a great, tipsy time, it was a one-and-done for me. If I ever get the itch to go to Oktoberfest again, it’s easy to find one in California, as the tradition of Oktoberfest spread to the rest of the world as an excuse to celebrate and get “turnt”.

Prost!

Have you been to Oktoberfest or do you plan to? It is happening right now in Munich and all over the world, which reminded me of our trip.

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Thanks for reading!

Much love, Michele