Arriving in Munich we check in to the hotel and hook up with our "Tres" Amigo Mr. Gary Peruzzini who has been here a few days and scouted out the city.
The biggest highlight - we're two blocks down from the biggest party in the world. Now I've been to Stampedes and Superbowls but his is "massive." Thousands upon thousands of people, mostly dressed up in their Bavarian costumes, with the men in their shorts and women in those wonderful outfits that put a nice accent on their best parts. (Remember - I'm married!)
There is a constant stream of people going both in to the event - and staggering OUT - with several of the guys being 'carried' on the shoulders of two pals who survived the marathon better than he did.
Police are 'everywhere' and armed to the teeth but pleasant as hell as they walk around the festivities. Many pose for pictures - others take pictures - and seem to be enjoying themselves.
As you walk around the grounds it's quite like Capital Ex or the Stampede with rides, cotton candy and other unique German treats and kids are everywhere almost oblivious to the rowdy drunks around them.
On the inside is where it is just insane. Beer guys are yelling and screaming to get out of the way as they deliver giant steins of beer - or Beer ladies with your food.
Food highlights seemed to be roast chicken, but the strangest looking bar b cue's were out front preparing a very blackened type fish that I'd guess was Mackeral.
There are about 20 giant beer halls, each with performers perched at the end. They have all their signature tunes - like roll out the barrels - and when certain keys are hit most of the patrons jump up on the tables - sing along - and dance with the neighboring tables. It's hot - loud and incredibly zany.
The funniest moment of the night was one very over served guy staggered beside us - and as we thought he was about to tip over - dropped trow and let Mr. Happy out - and started peeing on a tree right on the main road in to the Oktoberfest in front of everybody, again, children included. Mr. Norrie posted the pic on his Facebook and again all our pics are on Tres Amigos do Europe 2011.
It was great to hook up with Mr. P who is having a ball. His head start got him to Paris, London and Prague and he is in total holiday mode with nary a worry about returning home especially with the major highlight just ahead of us - the ride itself.
Mr. N continues to hand out our 'signature' pins to almost everybody we meet and this morning handed one to our cab driver who yelled out a racial slur to another cab driver who wouldn't move over for us. I won't print what he said but it did have the word 'camel' in it.
Mother Nature continues to be cruel to me and I'm still struggling with a bad head cold, sore throat and touch of flu. Plus the jet lag/time difference hasn't been easy as I'm now writing this at 3 am in Munich while my body continues to operate like it's the early evening back in Alberta.
Tomorrow off to Erding and meet our fellow bikers from Taiwan, Brazil, eastern US, and the one other couple from Canada - from Hannah. I'll be sure to tell them how the announcers here pronounce the name of their home town band "Nee-kl-Bock!"
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