Munich Oktoberfest 2001
There's nothing quite like the Oktoberfest. Often imitated, but never duplicated. Held annually, it's one of Europe's biggest and best parties. It's all about beer, but there are so many different attractions, you'll have a blast even if you don't like beer.
The Oktoberfest started in October 1810, when the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig I married Princess Therese from Saxon-Hildburghausen. The Crown Prince commissioned horse races as well as an enormous party in front of the city gates. Munich locals loved it so much that they began to celebrate it every year. It now attracts almost seven million people each year who consume about 5.5 million liters of beer, 600,000 chickens (the yummiest chicken ever!), 90,000 pork knuckles, 80-full grown oxen and who knows how many giant pretzels.
Sadly, this year's Oktoberfest was overshadowed by the tragedies in the US, and many people were afraid of further terrorist attacks. The council was even considering canceling it outright. However, it did start as planned on the 22nd of September, and although the number of visitors decreased to five and a half million (drinking their way through 4.8 million liters of beer), a great time was had by all except for the stall operators. This year, the queues for rides were less, and you we even managed to get a table inside one of the huge beer tents - holding 15,000 at one time - without booking months ahead.
This year - like every year - there were a lot of Australians and New Zealanders who had made the pilgrimage to Munich. The internet cafes were full of them, and random shouts of "Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!" could be heard throughout the drunken melee at the actual event. Anyway, on with the pictures...
This is traditional Bavarian clothing, complete with Lederhosen. A surprising number of younger people were wearing it too for the fest.
There are lots of rides and attractions in the Oktoberfest grounds, ranging from the boring to downright scary. I normally like rollercoasters etc, but the Frisbee (left) is just plain evil. I couldn't decide whether to throw up or pass out. The giant ferris wheel (right) was just what I needed afterwards.
This is what Oktoberfest looks like from the air (from the ferris wheel). The huge tents are on the left, and all the rides are to the right.
And here's a view of the Alps to the south.
In terms of beer-drinking, you could join the three people who were drinking outside, or...
... you could go into a beer "tent". Here is the outside of the Paulaner one.
This is one of the more civilised pictures of the crowds inside a tent. This was early in the afternoon, so no-one was that drunk by that stage. The obligatory oompah band is in the middle on the platform.
Although the beer-drinking was down on previous years, I've seen these ladies carrying seven one-liter beer steins in each hand. I can barely lift one to my mouth.
So far, I haven't taken any photos of any drunk people. That'll change with these...
These guys had all passed out on the bank. There were plenty more like that, too.
The guy on the right in this photo was so drunk, all his inhibitions went out the window. Five seconds after this photo was taken, his face was firmly planted in this lady's breasts.
I bet I'm not the only one who finds this photo a little strange - this guy was certainly out of place in a traditional Bavarian beer-drinking festival. Thank god I had my camera with me, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to share. :)
Can't wait until next year, when (hopefully) some friends from Australia and New Zealand will be paying a visit (hint hint).