Oktoberfest - 28/9 to 4/10 Oh.. this is hard to write about as it is one of the most surreal experiences we have ever had. Germans of all ages dressed in traditional kits, drinking steins and absolutely thrilled to be showing of their festival to the world - the more the merrier seems to be the motto!!
This year we started Munich off Aussie style - watching the AFL Grand Final and oh.....what a day! Up at 5am to the tunes of 'We are Geelong' courtesy of TC, we trained in into Ned Kelly's bar where we arrived to a packed house. Troy, Carls, Milton, Raj and Jerum were up for a stein for breakfast in the best seat in the house (once again Troy came to the forte!). TC was super nervous and didn't talk to anyone in the first half (editors note: she did h
appen to get thru 2 steins however!). The crowd was loud and merry, the beer good and the Cats were smashing Port! When the final siren sounded the Cat supporters went nuts singing and dancing....what a relief - after 44 years they had done it - Ronnies wish had finally come true. All this and it was only 9am!!! We looked at each other and the decision was made - off to Oktoberfest to celebrate!!
After a massive 18 hour session (well it was 44 years!) with TC still in Joel Corey's Geelong Footy Shorts, we caught up with 4 new arrivals from OZ - Clay, Jo, Hayden and Ang - who came over just for the fest. We headed in, got a great table courtesy of Tim (Milt's Mate) and caught up over a few cold large ones..... and I'm not talking about the pickles! Later that day there was no more dancing on the tables f
or Clay as he had trouble even standing up! Not sure if it was jetlag or too many steins but .... refer to 'tool of the week' for more info!
Needless to say - great city, great festival, great beers, great food and great company led us to have a super great time over the entire 6 days! Thanks to everyone who made not only Oktoberfest but our last week in Europe a BLAST!!
Oktoberfest...in a few words
Crowds, Phil Narkle, giant pickles, dumplings...but not bread ones!, Country Road, novelty hats, PROST!, snitziel sangers, bratwursts (x 15), crackling, singing, sore thumbs, mauling, late night phone calls, 21 in Italian, great cleavage, goulash, sauerkraut
Highlight of the week
After 44 long years (as Ron will testify to) watching the cats win the Grand Final will go down for TC in particular as the highlight of the year let alone the week. To be in Munich with close mates celebrating was something special and will be in our memories for the rest of our lives. GO CATS!
Tool of the weekSurprise, surprise....who else but Clayton could be so drunk, who else but Clayton could be so stupid, who else but Clayton could be so uncoordinated??
After heading home early from the fest on his first day, Jo guided the great man the whole trip home until she saw the hotel sign.....'Yes we're home!' she thought BUT our fearless leader had other plans - he missed the last step off the bus and headbutted the concrete. He was knocked out, had chipped his 2 front teeth and was lying in a pool of blood. Less than 24 hours in the country and in need of medical assistance......BUT to his credit - after a trip to the dentist at 10am the next morning he was back drinking at the Fest by midday! Congratulations Clay u r now the tool of the week and red hot favourite for TOOL of the YEAR!! PROST!
