Oktoberfest in Munich (by day)

I hadn’t seen my good friend Chris (an American from New York) in over 2 years.  We first met in Salzburg while studying there in 2009 and fell hopelessly in love (with the Alps, of course, not each other) before going our separate ways.  He’s currently living in Barcelona now and we’ve been trying to see each other for quite awhile, given that with so many discount airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet – well, why the heck not?  But when he asked me to meet up with him at Oktoberfest, I had to deliberate for a bit before eventually agreeing.  When it came down to it, I just couldn’t say no on account of the fact that I am hopelessly devoted to preserving each and every friendship forged in Salzburg during that special year; I have a bond with these people that I just can’t explain.

And only such a bond could bring me back to Oktoberfest.

Last October, I attended the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest…and I sort of hated it.  For starters, I’m not a fan of beer (why bother going to Oktoberfest?  good question) and being surrounded by drunk people in claustrophobia-inducing beerhalls is just asking for an anxiety attack (for me, at least).  In fact, after leaving last year’s fest, I proclaimed right here on this blog that I’d never go back.

….cue my strolling right into Oktoberfest one year later.

I have to say, though, this year was quite different.  Whereas last October, I went on a Saturday (the final Saturday of the fest, mind you – terrible idea), this year, I went on a Thursday.  And because of this, I now liken Oktoberfest to ‘a German version of the Oklahoma State Fair’ (albeit with less crystal meth addicts wandering around) rather than ‘Hell on Earth, give or take a bratwurst’.

All you really need to know is that, while most people spend their money on liters and liters of beer, I spent the majority of mine on every type of food imaginable.  And lots and lots of rides.  Am I 5?