PROST to OKTOBERFEST!

I LEAVE FOR OKTOBERFEST TODAY MY FRIENDS. Get ready for a weekend of complete drunken debauchery, german beer and pretzels, drinking songs and costumes. AND I GET TO SEE ALL OF MY FRIENDS FROM HOME!!! THESE PICTURES DON'T EVEN BEGIN TO COVER HOW EXCITED I AM!!!!!

I could not be more excited for this festival. For reals. Not only for beer, and friends and undoubtedly ridiculous stories, I am such a dork for dressing up for things (like every sorority event I have ever been to) because it makes everything way way more fun when you look ridiculous.

HENCE: Dirndl

"The Dirndl, or female dress of "Tracht", also emerged in the 18th century as a servant's or maid's dress. This simple dress generally consisted of a blouse, bodice, full skirt and an apron and it was practically suited for a woman's work around the home or a farm at the time. Women typically wore slightly different styles and fabrics in the winter and in the summer. The winter dirndl was often a full dress with long sleeves, made of heavy cotton, linen or wool with warm skirts and aprons. In contrast, the summer dirndl was made of lightweight cotton and short-sleeved blouses were worn under sleeveless, tailored bodices.

Today's dirndl, while still sporting the basic elements of a blouse, tailored bodice, full skirt and apron, now ranges in style from the soft and simple, to very vibrant styles exquisitely crafted with rich fabrics and embellished with intricate embroidery. While they are not necessarily worn as an everyday dress anymore, many women still wear them for traditional cultural events or formal occasions, such as a wedding, or to show their regional pride. In recent years, the dirndl has also gained in popularity among the younger crowds. Younger women today often enjoy wearing shorter, flirtier and more revealing versions than in years past. Other women also opt for a style of dress called "Landhausmode", which are dirndl-like dresses and skirts, but a more casual style than its traditional counterpart. The best place to see the varying contrasts in styles among dirndls would be at the Munich Oktoberfest, where young and old, traditional and modern all converge to participate in what is most likely the largest gathering of folklore in southern Bavaria."

Hoping to get my hands on one of these babies for ~50 Euros. So worth it in my opinion.

So here's the deal with Oktoberfest:

 From what I have heard from people who has gone weekends before me, there are a certain number of 'tents' (aka banquet halls really) with hundreds of tables with 10 people to a table. Beers come in 24 oz steins and cost about 8 Euros a pop. But, at around 6% alcohol, you're getting you money's worth.

Here's a map of the layout of the festival, complete with Ferris wheel, swings, festival games. Not pictured: 6.4 MILLION PEOPLE.

Another factor of this whole weekend experience is the fact that I will be camping. Outdoors. In a 2 person pup tent. With at least 300 other college age students. In >40 degree weather. Yup. Roughin' it. 

This also means no internet, no electricity, no communication. (Sorry Mom&Dad). 

Even though Porter and I will be freezing our buns off, I think it will all be part of the experience. In 5, 10, 15 years from know we will look back on it and say hey, remember that time we camped at Oktoberfest and froze our buns off, we were so dumb, never doing that again. Good thing is, my roommates from Rome are in hostels/hotels not too far away and, worst comes to worst, I will just crash on their floor and take a warm shower in their showers. 

Regardless, this weekend is going to be one for the books! 

PROST!

UNITL AFTER MY FRIENDS!!!!

Devotissimo Suo,

M