*flash back*
This trip was planned 4 days prior to the departure date.
Two other CAPA students posted about the opportunity to go to Oktoberfest with the company Stoke Travel.
I decided to book with them because it was pretty inexpensive for what was offered and it seemed like a great opportunity.
It turned out that about 13 CAPA students booked with this company and we were all looking forward to the amazing experience.
Part of reason why the booking was so inexpensive with StokeTravel?
We travelled to Germany from London via charter bus…
Yes- this does seem like a crazy decision but when you’re with a great group of people you don’t really worry about long bus rides.
….. after what was supposed to be a 14 hour bus ride which ended up taking 22 hours (don’t ask) we finally arrived at the site where we would be staying for the new few days.
The next day we headed off to the Oktoberfest “tents” (they aren’t your typical idea of a tent).
After meeting up with the entire group we headed into the event… but made a quick stop at the ATM. The beer halls do not accept cards therefore it was necessary to have cash on you at all times.
Note: Germans are not the nicest people and therefore the service wasn’t the best. Also, english isn’t that well known and that made communication pretty difficult as well.
The beer halls are very packed and people tend to reserve tables months in advance (sometimes even a whole year in advance).
It wasn’t too difficult to find a table towards the back of the halls/outside but inside in the middle is where all the beer chugging fun happens.
An Oktoberfest tradition is to standup on the tables and chug an entire german stein (which typically consists of 2 pints of beer).
Overall the trip to Oktoberfest was hands down amazing.
A few things to keep in mind if you decide to go to germany:
- Public transportation is very difficult… the signs are 100% in german and if you do not pay attention it is very easy to get lost.
( I got lost on the “tube” and the next thing I knew was that I was on my way out of the city of Munich heading towards a small town….) - Try to meet as many people as you can. I guarantee you will meet so many different people and they will make your experience even better!
- Try to understand/learn some German!
- Plan ahead! Make reservations/book a table in advance if possible.
- There are many different beer tents to explore, big and small. Try to visit as many as possible.
- EAT THE CHICKEN !
- There is also a mini amusement/carnival type thing going on, check out the rides. Its even better after you have a few steins.
