Oktoberfest - München 2005

"Ein Prosit!" (More photos following post)

Everyone we have talked with since arriving in Germany told us, “...you don’t want to go to the Munich Oktoberfest! It’s too crowded...you won’t have fun! There are too many tourists there!” Well, we “bit the bullet” and went anyway! And you know what???? THEY WERE WRONG!

They were right about the “crowded” and they were right that there were a lot of tourists (but heck! Isn't that what "anyone" is when they visit a destination other than their home town or where they live??) I mean, that’s what WE are here in Germany—tourists! Sure we are going to be here longer than the “normal” touring persons. But that does not make us any less "hungry" to see and do everything this country (and Europe) has to offer!

Opening day officials said they were expecting 100,000 people—and—I am sure there were at least that many! BUT you know what??? It didn’t matter! We went expecting to have fun and we did! Yes it was crowded but no one seemed to mind. We arrived early. We saw the opening parade. We saw the German people proudly displaying their native dress. The young and old alike parading with great pride. I felt honored and proud to have been one of those “tourists” in the crowd—honored in the respect that-- I am a visitor here in Germany and I am seeing a tradition that has been carried on for over 172 years. Where would I ever see this anywhere else in the world but in the birthplace of where it all started? Yes, there are other Oktoberfests...but this is "THE" Oktoberfest! (Sound like a "kid" right!?!....so what...don't care!! ...smile!!!)

We met people from all over the world. Nice people! There was the group from New Zealand. A group from Gibralter. A gentleman from Norway. A nice family from Hamburg. A Filipino from Virginia! Young. Old. Light skin. Dark skin!!! Mothers. Sisters. Fathers. Brothers!

When we returned home from the festival, and my husband went back to work and I talked with friends and acquaintances about our experience. They “cringed” and cried out the familiar, “oh no! You didn’t!” These were the same folks who said “...it’s too crowded...you won’t have a good time...etc.” We asked them what year were they there and what exactly happened that they had such a terrible time. Their reply was, “...well, we actually have never attended...” or “...I’ve/we’ve never been...” and, “But we talked with others who advised us we wouldn't have a good time...." Those comments got us to thinking that “having a good time” is all relative and that we/you must consider the source(s) of who is telling you or advising you to go or not to go. We’ve come to the conclusion that “we” (Porter and I), make our own “good time” wherever we go. We always have and always will.

So what is our advise should you ask us about attending or not? We say to you...if you enjoy life and enjoy people, then by all means “GO!” But if you do not, then perhaps the Munich Oktoberfest is NOT for you. You be the judge. As Henry Ford once said, “..whether you say you can or you can’t, you’re absolutely right!”

Oktoberfest 2005

Oktoberfest 2005 - A Polizei who stopped to "smell" the flowers!

Oktoberfest 2005

Oktoberfest 2005

Oktoberfest 2005

Oktoberfest 2005

"Ah...Paris!"

Well, the day finally arrived and we departed for Paris—a city we have studied about in history; read about in fiction, non-fiction, and magazines; seen in movies and heard about in the news.

One of our first stops and, in our eyes, one of the landmarks known throughout the world and synonymous with Paris was the Eiffel Tower! They say a picture is worth a thousand words...well, in a “nutshell” this picture reflects the view and feelings we were afforded when we stopped and looked up!
("Ah, Paris!" ...more to follow...)

"Ah-Paris...!" - Sunrise

Sunrise on the River Seine...This was a peaceful sight as we walked across the bridge leading to Notre Dame in the early morning hours. The waters were calm. There was no traffic. No noise to speak of (other than the “clicking” of our cameras!) Certainly a peaceful moment that we knew would not last as the day would progress...

"Ah...Paris!" - Notre Dame

Notre Dame - Pictured here are two of the "Rose" windows of the Cathedral. This is a beautiful structure with so much beautiful artwork within its walls! Again, (as in the Strasbourg Notre Dame) there are over 300 steps--387 to be exact--that must be negotiated to reach the top of the towers! Definitely worth the effort! As always, I am in such awe of the beauty housed within the Cathedrals of Europe!

"Ah...Paris!" - Le Bistrot

"Le Bistrot" - I wish I could tell you that we ate at this wonderful little Bistrot, but I cannot tell a lie! I posted this picture because it appeared to be the a little "hole in the wall" type of place I would like to eat in. We spied this little bistrot in the the "early" morning hours of our touring and it had not yet opened for business. Being a lover of “tartes” and food in general, we thought we might go back later in the day to try it out. Needless to say our tour(s) took us far and away and we really couldn’t remember what street the shop was on! (Ah...well...next trip!) (Don't worry...more food "stuffs" to follow later!!)

"Ah...Paris!" - Black Eyed Peas

"BEP'z..where are you?? We were on one of the boulevards where there are shops all about and we happened to look up across the way and spotted a concert hall where the “Black Eyed Peas” were playing. Porter had to go and check it out since he had just purchased BEP’z latest CD. (Heh..heh..What a "tourist"!!!)

"Ah...Paris!" - Hotel des Invalides

Hotel des Invalides - This is not your typical "hotel". The Hotel des Invalides is not a hotel per say, rather, it was founded by Louis XIV to house wounded soldiers. Currently, there are only a few veterans residing within Invalides. The complex houses one of the world's most extensive military collections. (Again, because of our limited time, we were unable to view the collection as we would have liked to, i.e., taking our time, etc). Napoleon is buried within the Eglise du Dome. This building is quite impressive and is easily spotted in the Parisian skyline because of the gold covered dome. This is also on our "return to" list when we return to Paris for a longer period of time.

"Ah...Paris!" - The River Seine

The River Seine - We took this “shot” of the River Seine because it was the complete opposite of our earlier “sunrise” picture. Not only was there heavy boat traffic on the river, but there was also heavy automobile traffic on all the streets as well as pedestrians everywhere! So much for the “calm” we had enjoyed earlier in the morning!

"Ah...Paris!" - The Pyramid at the Louvre

Pyramid at the Louvre - While we did view the "Mona Lisa" and the "Venus di Milo" there was only so much we could view in a few hours! The museum itself, is a work of art--the walls, ceilings, flooring... This is a definite "must return to..." museum. Our plans are to return during the winter months and take our time viewing the magnificent works of art.

"Ah...Paris!" - Crême Glacée

Breaktime! Touring can leave you hot, tired, and hungry! Since it was not yet the hour for our next meal, we did the next best thing—stop for crême glacée. I have to admit even though I got “caught” taking a big ‘ol bite...I really did not mind. The look that Porter caught when he snapped the picture says it all, “mmm...this is SO good!!!”

"Ah...Paris!" - The Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower - Of course we are "tourists" and of course we must have our picture taken with the Eiffel Tower in view!!!

"Ah...Paris!" - Sacré Coeur

Sacré Coeur or "Sacred Heart" - This Basilica was built as a memorial to over 58,000 French soldiers who perished during the Franco-Prussian War. It is the second highest point in Paris, second only to the Eiffel Tower. The view is "free" and thousands of Parisians and tourists alike flock here for the beautiful view of the the City. We visited this site just before sunset and indeed, the view is spectaculiar! To access this steep area we caught the Funiculiar and later took the "steps" down.

"Ah...Paris!" - Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe - I got the feeling the German tour operator did not want to stop at this monument. I can only speculate the reasoning. Everytime we came near, she would say..."..this is the Arc de Triomphe...blah...blah...", but we never stopped! (We had to "catch" photo's as we drove by!) It was the same with the Champs Elysee! We never stopped! We must have traveled (going to different locations) by the monument and on the Champs Elysee at least three different times...but we did not stop! There was no mention of the viewing platform by which one can look back over the Champs Elysee and the Place de la Concorde. There was no mention of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier nor any mention of the small historical museum that is located halfway up the arch. Well..WHATEVER!!! We are going back to Paris and we will stop and we will view this monument!

"Ah...Paris!" The Eiffel Tower at Night!

Eiffel Tower at night - After dinner we decided to take an evening cruise down the River Seine. Upon arriving at our location to board our boat we got out of the bus and was looking towards the river admiring the view. For some reason we both turned around (not even realising the glorius view that awaited us!) The sight was definitely something to behold! As we turned, we immediately saw the Eiffel Tower lit up in all it's glory! And...to top even that, there are additional lights that sparkle (like giant fireflies) all up and down the tower! I liken it to the excitement felt when watching a grand fireworks display! It was very magical! And talk about the view! Once we boarded the boat and set out up river...well...again, the view and the scene was simply "Si Magnifique !"

"Ah...Paris!" - Tourist in Paris...

Tourist in Paris - Yes...that's me with my new camera (still trying to figure out how to use it!!!)

"Ah...Paris!" - Pont Alexandre III

Pont Alexandre III Bridge - Quite a beautiful sight! It's truly amazing how everything (monuments/bridges) are lit up at night! Truly makes for a wonderful and romantic evening!

"Ah...Paris!" - The Moulin Rouge...

Moulin Rouge - Ah...the famous Moulin Rouge! We did not see any shows/performances...but we were excited just to do a "drive-by" and see the lights and all of the "interesting" people in and around the area!

"Ah...Paris!" - Versailles

Versailles - This is the beautiful "Hall of Mirrors" and the sight of the "signing" of the Treaty of Versailles which officially ended WWI.

"Ah...Paris!" - Time for "Reflecting"...

Reflection of Paris..via Starbucks! - This was interesting shot that Porter took while we were taking a break. It's almost as if I am reflecting on a "refreshing" drink from Starbucks--as well as on our Paris visit/touring! (I was actually reading some brochures that we picked up along the way and there was a Starbucks poster off to the side!)