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!”