Apologies for the brief interlude. With less than 2.5 weeks to go now (hopefully) before the arrival of Small Person no. 3, I find myself obsessed with two things only – sleeping and cleaning.
Being the size of a barrage balloon does have it’s advantages however, dictating what the baby absolutely needs to eat at that precise moment in time for example (he or she currently has a bit of a thing for ice-cream which is always nice) and not being able to do various hated household chores (which is always a bonus).
Sadly, with the advantages, come the disadvantages too, and along with not being able to get up too quickly without fear of blacking out, not remembering what my feet look like, and trying not to worry myself sick about giving birth in a “foreign” hospital – for the first time since we moved here I find myself contemplating an Oktoberfest free year. For yes, frighteningly it is already that time of year again!
Saturday sees the first of the traditional opening parades, and Mr R’s first table invitation. I am just hoping that he doesn’t make the same “accidental standing on a bench with a bier in hand mistake” as he did last year, as I won’t be there to supervise!
As I cant go, I thought I would put together a little round up of past visits to give you some idea of what it’s actually like if you haven’t been, and just exactly what I will be missing out on *Sob*.
The proceedings start at 11.00 this Saturday with the Grand Entry of Landlords and Breweries with beautifully decorated brewery carts and horses, followed by the staff who will work tirelessly for the next two weeks. Whilst Sunday will feature the massive Costume and Rifleman’s parade, featuring around 8,000 people from all over the place in their very Sunday best.
Here you can read about what it feels like to wear traditional dress that is very much not your own for the very first time (I don’t actually think we Brits have one?) – especially mortifying when you are on your own and your train breaks down while you are wearing it, as detailed in my post My First Oktoberfest back in 2012…
I have written about the fantastic experience that is Oktoberfest in the dark in A Night at the Wiesn 2013 (with pictures that I am not proud of, but am particularly impressed I was able to take at the time!) to the much more beautifully detailed Night at the Wiesn 2014 where I had obviously had a much more sensible evening – which hopefully gives you an insight into the amazing atmosphere of Oktoberfest at night.
Letting you in on a few Oktoberfest Secrets (the Oide Wiesn, where to avoid the tourists, and what not to do in a bier tent) has to be my favourite post of the lot though, and perhaps captures everything that is great about the biggest bier fest in the world.
So if you are going, think of me whilst I am nurturing my ever expanding belly (whilst worrying about whether it’s indeed possible for it to get any bigger) and I will raise a Maß of alkoholfrei bier to you all whilst missing out.
For a good Insider’s Guide to Oktoberfest by a few other Munich bloggers, do pop over to Wimdu where you will find a fine cross-section of views from a good few of us (and a hideous picture of me at the very top!) Prost!
A great round-up of your Oktoberfest shenanigans.
So pleased you got to meet MsCaroline from Asia Vu.
It was fantastic to meet her, felt like I had known her for years! Thanks Trish! :)
Oktoberfest…. have you considered hanging around anyway – imagine if you gave birth in Oktoberfest, surely free beer for life… imagine the combined enthusiasm of the crowds, a few songs to cheer you along, am sure you would sail through labour (also then you wouldn’t have to worry about giving birth in a foreign hospital – bonus). Just a thought!
Please feel free to delete this comment if it is not helpful.
Hahahaha… Actually, I wonder if anyone has? I bet you someone has along the way! They have these lists of weird facts after the event like “how many chickens were eaten”, “how many beers were consumed” and “how many false legs, false eyeballs etc. have been found”, I will check for “how many babies were born” when this fest is over and done with! :D
It sounds like a lot of fun and a shame you had to miss out (although with a very good reason) my hubs would love to go
Totally good reason, I am only a little bit sad really! Thanks Abi! (:
The end is in sight! There is always next year :D
If we are still here! :D Thanks Laura (:
Not long to go now! I think missing Oktoberfest is well worth it for the wee one you’re currently incubating :) I’m currently 31 weeks pregnant and can’t believe how big my belly is, and there’s still quite a bit of time to go!
Claire xx
Thanks Claire! You wait for a few more weeks yet, I just feel ginormous now! :D
Oh I didn’t realise you were expecting, congratulations. Oktoberfest does look amazing, I know my eldest boy is desperate to go
Thanks so much Kara! :)
only a couple of weeks to go! How exciting! I have another two months to go until my second. Oktoberfest looks wonderful, something to look forward to for next year :) x
Thanks Fritha! It comes around so quickly!! :)
I’ve always wanted to go to a German beer festival. They look like so much fun. Good luck with the bubba
Thanks so much Anthea! (:
Lovely post – looks so colourful and fun. Why don’t we have celebrations like that here I wonder? X
But we do Mum, the one in London is a fraction of the size but it gets bigger each year! :D x
Oh I have enjoyed reading about your Oktoberfest adventures over the years, but new, exciting adventures ahead! :) All the very best Emma xx
Thanks so much T! I know you are right! (: xx
Oh what a pity! But it´s for a good reason :) And you can always go to Starkbierfest ;)
Definitely, definitely! Thanks Marta (:
Good luck with the baby, hopefully you can make Oktoberfest next year
Thanks Tanya, this may well be our last year here, but I can’t say I didn’t make the most of it when I could go! :D
I’ve never been to Oktoberfest but have always thought it looks like fun
It is brilliant raucous fun. Thanks Nadine! (:
Our best friend spent part of his childhood in Germany and his Dad still works there. He loves visiting for Oktoberfest. I can not wait to see Number 3!
Thanks Jen! (:
ohhh you are so close now :) I the Oktoberfest looks fantastic, I guess the closest we get here is the Frankfurt Christmas market which comes to Birmingham every Christmas. There is lots of beer there too.
They do love to make merry these Germans! :D Thanks Anne!
Oktoberfest always looks and sounds like SO much fun. Except the downing a very large bier in one while standing on a bench, of course! Pity you have to miss out but what a wonderful reason why you have to. The very best of luck in the coming weeks Emma and sure hopefully you can make up for it next year!xx
Thank you V. I will be very glad come the following mornings when everyone else is suffering apart from me! :D I think the reason why I am quite sad about missing out is I am not sure there will be a next year. Can’t say I haven’t experienced it now though! :)
It sounds like a wonderful time :) Good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy and hope everything goes smoothly with the birth xx
Thank you Sonia! (:
I’ve never been, I don’t think I want to and I don’t like beer – I’m the perfect German, aren’t I? Haha x
You know there’s a wine tent don’t you?? :D
I would love to visit Oktoberfest one day, but I think we will be waiting until the kids have grown now! I hope your little one arrives soon
Thanks so much Bex, so do I! Getting impatient now!
Sorry that you will be missing Oktoberfest this year, at least you have newborn snuggles to look forward to in the coming weeks.
True enough, true enough! :D Thank you! :)
Oh exciting for person number 3 but boo to no photos of bearded men and you in your dirndl. I hope you get plenty of rest over the next couple of weeks before little person comes along.
Thanks Aly! Liking the sound of a rest! :) x
Great post Emma, and fun pictures too. Good luck in the last few weeks of pregnancy!
Thanks Brooke, we miss you! :) x
oh that looks like something else to add to my bucket list of things to do.
It is brilliant fun! Thanks Emma (:
Oh such a shame that you will miss it this year Emma! It’s something I would love to go to one year, maybe 2016 we can have a large beer together there :)
If we are still here Annie, I would love that! :D
Aw it looks amazing, I would love to go. Just think how great it will when you return after having a year out though? (looking on the bright side!!). Good luck for the arrival of no. 3!! :)
Thank you Nicola! (:
B’Sha’a Tova! It means ‘at a good hour,’ in Hebrew. We say to pregnant ladies meaning that everything should happen at the right time – a safe time with no surprises. xxxx
Thanks so much Rachel xxxx
Love these images….next year then?
Quite possibly! Thanks Amanda! (:
I hope you feel well during your final weeks and that your labor is quick and safe. I was pleasantly surprised by the hospital here so hopefully you will be too!
Thanks so much Elizabeth, congrats on your lovely news! :)
Ah yes, the “baby needs to eat now” stage. I am still doing that, and the “baby” is 16 sadly. Make the most of it!! I have never done Oktoberfest which is surprising as my parents lived there for years, and my husband is Germany and beer obsessed. It is definitely on the list of must do’s in the near future though, so thanks for the tips!
You must, you must T! I think you would love it, it’s great fun! (: x