Muncih - To Do (ABBA Contribution 06Dec2013) (Oktoberfest)

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Munich - To Do
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OKTOBERFEST
(ABBA Contribution. Text and Pics by Denison Tan)
(Click here for when the next Oktoberfest will be!)
Next years datees ->20th Sep 2014 - 5th Oct2014

The world-famous celebration originating from the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen (say that 3 times fast) in 1810. Incidentally that is also the name of the station (Theresienwiese) that the fairgrounds are located nearby. Apparently the celebration was so popular with the townsfolk that they decided to celebrate it every year, with 2013 being the 180th time!

Half the battle is won just having a room during the festival, especially since rooms go for €325-380 for those thinking of staying longer...

For this annual beer festival, it would seem that nearly everyone is decked out in the traditional Prindl and Lederhosen, looking like the set of Heidi.

While largely known as a beer festival, there is a lot to see for the teetotaler. The fairgrounds teem with game stalls and rides and various delectables to sample. Probably advisable to try the rides prior to drinking.

Unlike the examples seen elsewhere in the world, Oktoberfest runs around 16days in September till the first Sunday of October. And unlike elsewhere, there is no cover charge to enter the grounds or the beer tents/gardens.

Each of the tents/gardens have a different atmosphere. The official site at http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/navitem/Beer+Tents/ gives a brief description of each.

The HB tent, the largest, capable of accommodating 10000 guests had a more celebratory atmosphere.

Hofbrau Festhalle

The Hippodrome seemed to have a more circusy decor and the Fischer tent had a nautical decor with seafood being the feature.

Hippodrom Tent

The ship-shaped bandstand in the Fischer-Vroni tent

Simply walk into a tent and look for a empty table. While a number are reserved, at times it may be possible to negotiate to hang around till the reserved timeslot.

Beckon to a barmaid for the number of mugs needed. Each holds a litre of beer and averages €10.

 

Various vendors also roam about parading their wares, including sandwiches, pins, hats, roses and über-pretzels.

Every once in a while, there is a song played by the resident band, which starts with a distinctive drumroll and ends with everyone giving a toast and chugging their mugs. Despite how it sounds to the English-educated ear, the text is 'Ein Prosit' - 'A Toast' and found at http://www.oktoberfest-songs.com/ein-prosit-lyrics.html

The presence of all the alcohol, makes for surprisingly little rowdiness, and a whole lot of surreal friendly encounters, like strangers professing their love for Singapore and frauleins willingly exchanging phone numbers...

And finally a sobering reminder to indulge but responsibly. Apparently there were over 600 alcohol poisonings at this year's event.Prost!

 

(ABBA Contribution. Text and Pics by Denison Tan)