After coming back from Munich, we felt that it was only appropriate to make an Oktoberfest themed blog post! Our weekend definitely presented itself with its own set of obstacles. Mastering the art of Oktoberfest is definitely a difficult feat, so here we have made a guide to the basics.
Our first Oktoberfest survival tip:
1. What to wear:
Due to the strict policies regarding the size of carry-on luggage, we began making our packing lists a solid week before the start of Oktoberfest. We realized on our previous trips that we have a tendency to over-pack, so we only intended to bring the essentials to Munich. Planning outfits for Oktoberfest takes a fair amount of strategy. Waiting in line outside is cold, but the inside of the tent gets hot. And while clothes may get spilled on, you obviously want to dress to impress. Taking these complications into consideration, we came up with the following outfit plans…
If you don’t intend on buying or renting the traditional dirndl (aka the typical German “beer girl” Halloween costume), we recommend going the black legging-and/or-dark-skinny-jean route. When it comes to shirts, you’ll want to layer. After taking a few hundred pics in your favorite sweater with all of your abroad besties, you’ll want a short-sleeve option when double fisting beers on elevated surfaces. Pack a scarf or two to throw on as well if you’re aiming to look “so Euro.” Because footwear takes up the most room in your suitcase, deciding which shoes to pack requires considerable brainstorming. Clearly, it is unacceptable to arrive at Oktoberfest without a pair of boots or booties. If that’s not specific enough, the boots you bring should be from last season. Why? They will likely get spilled on and muddy, and who wants to destroy their brand new leather Fryes?!
In reality, everyone at Oktoberfest will be so focused on proving their frattiness by finishing their steins first that most likely no one will pay attention to your outfit. So we recommend dressing comfortably, being prepared for spillage, and raising a glass to the best weekend of abroad (and maybe even of your life).Â
2. How to manage your time:
After hearing about the numerous activities of Oktoberfest, we started to become a bit overwhelmed about how we were going to fit everything into two short days! We needed time to wait in line, eat, drink, rekindle long lost friendships, and of course go on the rides! After perfecting a day in the life of a study abroad student at Oktoberfest, we thought it would be beneficial to share our findings with you.
Our first tip is to GET THERE EARLY! People start lining up at the door of the beer hall by 6 in the morning and you’ll want to get a table with all of your friends in a great location! Once you are let in around 9, everyone mad dashes to claim their spot to post up for the day. Then, after a round or two of beers, you will realize that you have been up for over 5 hours and have only consumed beer. This is prime time to try some of the foods you have heard so much about and make some small talk with people you haven’t seen in forever. After some food and some more rounds of beer, you will realize that you have been in the same room for a few too many hours and decide it is time to venture outside. Here, you will find rides and, of course, more food! While going on the rides may seem like a questionable decision, go anyway.
We admit this is not a perfect formula, but it is a well thought-out tentative schedule for your Oktoberfest activities. But, at the end of the day, as long as you have some beer and try some food, everyone always has fun!
3. What to eat:
Oktoberfest is known for a very eclectic – yet delicious – array of food. What makes this food different from anything we have seen before is that everything is literally 3 times the size of what you would normally see! This is important to keep in mind as you order. The pretzels are massive and could probably feed a small army. These end up being shared between you and all of your friends because there is no possible way a person could finish one alone! The beer halls sell cookies on a string which have different messages written on them. However, while these do look really cute in pictures, they are definitely not worth eating! There are also full baked chickens that are passed around, something kind of unexpected but hilarious to eat in the middle of the tents. The macaroni and cheese is a must, definitely one of the best we have ever tried! Once you leave the tent you can get more typical carnival foods, including an array of fried goodies, donuts, and crepes. While this feels like something more familiar, everything is still larger than life so be careful when ordering something to eat alone!Â
Amore Always,
Jolie and Katie