Once at the Oktoberfest in Munich! Many on their desire trip list. DW-reporter Hallie Rawlinson has fulfilled this dream, here is her report from the largest folk festival in the world:
I’m American and live in Germany for two years. I wear imagine which picture to make my friends back home about my life here: how I get up every day, my Dirndl and half-timbered houses over the course of, while I go for a pretzel to eat and to work.
But Berlin is far away from the tradition-rich South of Germany, I have never worn in my life a Dirndl. And I’d probably reap the irritated glances when I would come in a Bavarian costume to the office.
The Oktoberfest – a copy of
Sure, I was already wearing to an Oktoberfest in Ohio or Florida, where everyone is either a Lederhosen T-Shirt or a beer girl Halloween costume.
Real Oktoberfest Food: chicken with potato salad, a perfect combination of creamy and salty. Delicious!
The Americans love it, the culture of their ancestors and to experience the other. Especially, when it rotates at this Fixed about food and Drink, such as the St. Patrick’s Day.
Approximately 44 million Americans have German roots, because it seems only right that for many a trip to the “real” Oktoberfest in Munich is on your To-Do list. I felt more than ready now, after two years in Germany, at my first Oktoberfest.
The Outfit is everything
The first challenge is: Get yourself a Dirndl! I was shocked when I realized that a traditional Outfit is between 90 and 900 euros. I don’t even want to know what the cost of the Designer versions, we see German celebrities at the Oktoberfest, so. After all, a decent Dirndl you can get to the 200 Euro.
I found my dress online and fell in love immediately: a pink Dirndl skirt with a cute Top, tied with a beautiful pink bow. A white peasant blouse, a floral crown and a velvet collar from the purchase of the house completed my Look. I’ve learned that almost everyone is wearing on the “Wiesn” – as the Locals call the Oktoberfest in a Dirndl or leather trousers and that this increases the fun considerably. You do not need to buy the most expensive Outfit, but in Jeans, you will feel quickly as the underdog.
The Marstall tent is just as colourful and varied as his audience.
A World Party
The Wear my dirndl, a right me to the Party in the Bavarian style. When I’m on the way to Oktoberfest, I see how many people from all over the world are happy to dress up for a day as a Bavarian, or Bavarian.
What is the Oktoberfest in Munich is different from the American versions, is the authenticity. The Locals love their traditions, and it makes you proud to see how many people travel from far away just to have these traditions, see. And God knows that many travelers!
I meet a group of twenty-year-old from South Korea who are coming directly from the plane to the Oktoberfest. And a family with two small children in Pennsylvania and a man from Peru, to visit his German girlfriend.
This cute Couple comes from Munich for more than 40 years on the Oktoberfest.
Others did not have to travel too far. I speak with a Couple from Munich, it’s been 40 years, every year on the Wiesn. Share the joy of your favorite attractions: a 150-year-old magic show, when a spectator “loses his head” and a carousel, the classic Bavarian folk songs, plays. Your best piece of advice for a more authentic Oktoberfest experience is Pushing you in one of the large beer tents to a table and make new friends!
New Friends
It is notoriously difficult to get a place in one of the beer tents. They are booked up to a year in advance, and you will only be operated if it has found a seat.
But my experience is: if you’re alone or a couple on the go, and politely asks (The Oktoberfest is definitely not a place to be shy!), then the people back at the table and make room. I will do exactly that and close the all-day international and Bavarian friends.
In each tent, a Band plays a special mix of folk songs and German party hits. My tablemates and I, we talk, laugh, and try, songs to sing along to. I’m fighting with my foreign neighbors through the more traditional songs. And raise my glass to a “Cheers”, just like all the others do it. (Don’t forget: make eye contact with all the Zuprostern!)
Really funny, I find the Moment in which the Band sings a verse of “Country Roads” by John Denver and all of the perfect sing-along. It is a special experience, when one feels in a tent with thousands of people in the middle of a huge group of friends. Especially if it is in the song a place in the vicinity of your home.
Bavarian Specialities
After I’ve secured a place at the table, can I try some of the Bavarian courts. I study the menu and order a “Hendl” (roasted half chicken), and “cheese spätzle” (German pasta with cheese). And: I get to eat a feast! Both are very lush and hearty, incredibly tasty and fits perfectly with the beer.
I raise my scale to the “Oans, zwoar, g’suffa” toast. Cheers!
I realize how important it is to create a proper basis for the beer. Because the Oktoberfest beer is specially brewed strong, and a “Mass”-glass of a quart to fit. So drink slowly, because of you, it is expected that you take each Time a mouthful, when your “Oans, zwoa, g’suffa!” sounds. (Which happens about every 10 minutes, to encourage you to Drink.)
Conclusion: I can only recommend to everyone to go to the Oktoberfest. With all of the traditions that I have met, the friendships I made, and with the photos to prove to my friends back home: *in fact* I live in Germany! – it was worth the trip. Cheers!