Oktoberfest...need I say any more??

This weekend I went to Munich, Germany to participate in Oktoberfest.  This weekend was the opening weekend, and I don't think we could have asked for a better time.  Me and 67 of my schoolmates boarded a bus at midnight on Friday and drove through the night to Munich, Germany where our bus driver dropped us at the gates of Oktoberfest at 7am.  It looked much like an American fair or carnival, with outdoor rides and tons of food and t-shirt stands.  We immediately got in line at one of the tents, in which there were tons of tables, but there are far more people, so getting a seat was of the essence.  Plus, they only serve people who are sitting down, so that was also crucial!  After standing in line from 7 until 9:15, they finally opened the doors and the mad rush began.  We were about 25 feet from the door, and had to fight the crowd to get in the doors.  We made it in, ran to the back of the huge tent, and found a small table that was not reserved until 3pm that afternoon, which gave us more than enough time to experience Oktoberfest to the fullest.  This tent was an A-frame about 4 or 5 stories tall, decorated with plants on the pillars and there was a giant 20 ft. tall 'angel' who was sitting on a cloud and playing a harp that hung from the ceiling (middle of the picture on the left).  We waited until noon, when the band entered and the keg was tapped.  We ordered our beer well before this, so that when it was time to get them, we wouldn't have to waste time paying for it...  at least in theory.  After the keg was tapped at noon, it was so incredibly hectic that we didn't get out first stein until 12:45!  We of course caught up with everyone else, and then took the environment in the rest of the afternoon.  We walked around the fair, did a ride, and then found a few local cafes and hung out until our bus picked us up at midnight.  We drove back through the night yet again and then slept all day Sunday at home.  For sure a great experience...literally felt as if I was on the set of 'Beerfest' all weekend!  Absolutely a great time, and definitely would be something I'd do again!  Busy week of classes and meetings, but off to Salzburg and Hallstatt, Austria this weekend!  Hope everything is going well for everyone else!  Keep the emails coming...it is great to hear from everyone!!