oktoberfest!

Our reservations were for 11 am inside the Hippodrom tent. The word "tent" is so deceptive here - it was an elaboratly decorated tent. Even the toilets were nice (thank you, bathroom attendant).
These tents were packed full of jovial folks from all over the world that were ready to drink.
Beer for breakfast!

Along with bread topped with various spreads

The way it works is that you reseve the table for a set amount of time - we had it for three hours. The money you pay to reserve the table is your tab for the time - which is very generous. We ate and drank to our contentment.
 
I was amazed at how happy everyone - everyone was having a ridiculous time. An hour in all the tables around us were full and we were back to back to the people sitting behind us. In a sober setting, I probably would not have appreciated an older british man rubbing his back against mine - but in this instance - it was ok. Go ahead my friend, keep my back warm.

And then of course - there was Marcel. He was our - what is the male version of beer wench?

Once our time was up - we attempted to sit on the patio which we got kicked out of - for reasons that are kinda hazy. So we went off to explore the rest of the festival. We'd heard that a lot of the tents tend to reach capacity and close the doors but we didn't think it would happen at 2 o'clock on a weekday afternoon. Wandering through a festival with a group of 8 is quite the task. We all lost eachother several times. I found myself several times thinking that I was going to be stuck at oktoberfest for the rest of life. Because that is totally plausible, right?

The rest of the area resembles your typical state fair (minus the fried food)

You can't take anyone serious if they're wearing a dirndl or lederhosen.

Up next - PRAGUE!