Day 40- Berlin/ Munich

Day 40- 24 September 2008 Today we went souvenir shopping and had breakfast out. We then went to the airport around 11am. We checked in early and got to our gate and waited, and waited and waited and waited. Finally our plane disappeared and we were told it had mechanical problems and they were looking for a new plane and pilot. Then we waited and waited and waited and we finally got a new plane, but they were looking for a new pilot. Unfortunately i did not think my cessna 152 and 172 trainíng would qualify me for the job, so we waited and waited and waited. Eventually we got a pilot and after another wait got on the plane and we were Munich bound... We arrived in Munich and after a 40 minute trip were in the city centre. We then found our hostel, checked in and headed to the site of Oktoberfest. Catholics have the vatican City and beer drinkers have their own pilgrimage, their most holiest place in the world. Ýes there are some imitations like the melbourne show grounds but nothing really prepares you for the journey and the inspiring and holy place that is Munich.... Walking to the site, there were people everywhere dressed in german outfits, ledenhose and festive hats a plenty. The crowd was flowing equally in both directions from and to the site. After crossing a couple of bridges and going down a street we caught our first glimpse of fun and festivities a few hundred metres in teh distance. Then right in front of us, the true mark of a big day drinking, some drunk chucking up in teh street just metres ahead of us... As we continued walking and cross one final road and there it was a massive gateway in front of us. It said "Oktoberfest 2008", we were here. The pilgrimage of thousands of kilometres was almost complete. Only a few final tasks were required to fulfil this holy quest. As you past through the gate you realise that you have walked into a magical land that rivals disneyland or anything you will ever see. Imagine the fun and excitment of the melbourne show as a child walking through the gates with thousands of other kids ready for a fun filled day of excitment and adventure. Multiply this feeling by a thousand, add 20 or so years to your age and replace those thousands of kids with adults, then you are getting near the sensation that is Oktoberfest. It is like a massive show carnival with rides and there are massive buildings on either side of the road which are the massive beer halls. As we arrived near nightfall all the beer halls are lit up and it is quite a spectical. After walking past a few beer halls we selected a classic to start off, the HB beer hall. Upon entering the door, we were confronted with a site of a massive wooden tent with thousands and thousands of people enjoying 1 litre beers, a band playing on a raised stage and people dancing on the bench seats and tables. What a party. After figuring out how to be served beer (which is harder than you think) ness and i had a 1 litre beer stein full of HB in our hands. Ahhh the picture postcard was complete the holy quest was almost fulfiled. Ness was impressive and handled her litre quite well. We then headed out and checked out the rest of the oktoberfest site and a few more beer halls where i sampled some more oktoberfest beer. We enjoyed some bratwurst and got giant gingerbread hearts and hung them around our neck and the oktoberfest quest was now complete. My alcohol enhanced reflexs also gave my super rifle skills and won ness a poodle with shooting 11 out of 12 targets. Very happy on a beer infused party atmosphere we decided to retire back at the hostel. Oktoberfest, Awesome.