Week 5 - Munich, Germany

 

What's Germany without beer? And what's beer without Oktoberfest? Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival, was not only the highlight of my time in Munich but possibly the best day of the trip so far. From the preparations the night before to the very last song played by the band, every moment still brings a smile to my face. People often say that how you approach an experience can make or break it, so I dove into the festival headfirst. Fully absorbed by the spirit of the Wiesn, I walked away with a bucket full of unforgettable memories. In short: I’ll be back. And next time, I'll bring along a list of what I did so I can have an even better time. It's a list I'm excited to share with you.

1. Start with one drink. Just one round with your friends to loosen you up, set the mood, and get you ready to dive in. Looking around, you’ll see dozens of tables filled with people trying to have just as great a time as you are. So make it a challenge: earn your right to that next drink! (Or litre, if you really hit it off.) It's the perfect way to pace yourself, keeping you at each table a bit longer and giving you time to consider your next move. And if your first attempt fails, embrace it! There’s no shortage of tables—or chances—to try again.

2. Have something that makes you stand out. Think of it as a calling card. Before you even step into a tent, look for ways to catch people’s attention. I spotted one group where each person wore a different hat—one was Pikachu, another a unicorn, another a chicken, and on it went. It was the table that made me say, "I want in on that." So that’s exactly what I did. Scoring a drink with this London crew ended in a dance battle that had the whole tent buzzing. My own "hook" came in the form of a traditional dance from a 16-year-old YouTube video my dad requested I perform at the festival. Before I knew it, it was my way to start a conversation with just about anyone. 

3. Shoot your shot. If there’s one thing I learned at Oktoberfest, it’s that it’s worth going all in. I had one day there, and I was determined to make it count. Whether it’s the beautiful person across the tent, the seasoned regular slamming down a litre, or the table that can’t stop laughing, take your shot. Remember, you’re the only one who can make it awkward, and you’ve probably already messed up at least once. Every. Single. Conversation—'successful' or not—is a story you’ll look back on and laugh about. When someone gave me even the smallest of glances, I’d approach them, and by the end of the day, I’d spent time with Londoners, Austrians, Belgians, Germans, Danes, Aussies, and more. I left satisfied.

4. Embrace the chaos. By the end of the night, here’s what happened: a litre of beer spilled on my jeans, my jacket was soaked, my shoes were trashed, and I’d slipped off one too many tables. I saw tables flip, lederhosen rip, and even a small brawl. But these were all just part of the experience! Every little inconvenience only added to the stories and laughs that kept me going. Some of my best memories from the night came from those moments, when I could have called it quits but stuck around just a bit longer.

5. Be in it for the long haul. "Nine to nine," I remember one friend saying on the metro ride home. By the end of the night, they’d stopped serving water, and since we didn’t have a reservation, if we left, we wouldn’t be able to get back in. Nothing was forcing us to stay except for the fact that there would be no more Oktoberfest tomorrow. The last hours were some of the best and definitely the wildest. As the band’s tempo picked up, the waiters seemed to disappear, food became impossible to get, and water ceased to exist. I was exhausted, but each conversation and connection from earlier in the day felt like it was paying off. So no, this isn’t the stereotypical guide. I came in with zero expectations, and I think that’s a huge part of what made it all so incredible.