In Heaven There is No Beer…

…and that’s why we drink it here.  Well, I won’t be too sad if there isn’t any beer in heaven because I certainly don’t drink it here.

Our first trip out of England was a success! Courtney and I went to Germany to take in the spectacle that is Oktoberfest. 

We left London bright and early on separate buses towards Stansted Airport.  Once we had our passports checked, we breezed through security…is what I wish I could say.  There were some minor setbacks including a patdown of Ellie and Courtney’s “suspicious” liquids going through security twice.  Oh well, no worse for the wear. 

After a literally 50 minute flight, we landed in at Frankfurt-Hahn.  Sidebar:  Do you know how many songs you can listen to in such a flight? Six max.  I didn’t even make it through a playlist.  It was shorter than the flight from Springfield to Chicago!  Anyways, we met my Uncle Scott in the airport and he drove us all the way to his home in Heidelberg. 

That afternoon, we just chilled around his house and had American-ish food for lunch! Tostitos, Doritos, and dip!  And Scott made us super yummy chicken quesadillas.  Just what we needed after a month of icky London food.  Around 3:00 we picked my cousin Wojtus up from school and headed to Heidelberg Castle.

Heidelberg Castle was spectacular.  It was on a hill and was only accessible by tram.  I absolutely loved the views on the way up!  Once we reached the very top of the hill, we had a photo shoot, as per usual.  Then we headed down a little bit to the Castle.  It was different from anything I had seen before.  It was a castle in ruins, not one used by a present monarch like the ones I've seen here in England. 

on the way up!

at the top!

Heidelberg Castle!

After we finished at the castle, Ewelina and the kids headed home and Scott took Courtney and me to Old Town Heidelberg.  We got drinks in and sat in the quaint square before heading home ourselves.

Old Town Heidelberg

The next day we got up bright and early to head to Munich.  Three and a half hours on the Autobahn and some gorgeous countryside later, we were there!  Scott and Ewelina’s friends Meggie and Andrus?  graciously let us stay with their family.  Upon our arrival, Meggie served us a traditional Bavarian breakfast of veal sausage and soft pretzels.  Quite the combo.  The pretzels were awesome.  The sausage was drowned in ketchup.  Something I never need to eat again. 

Oktoberfest was next on the agenda.  Scott played tour guide and took us through the Munich’s city center and past where he used to work on the way there, so that we could see a little more of the city.  It was awesome.

Oktoberfest on the other hand was…an adventure.  It was so nice the day we went that everyone and their brother, literally everyone and their brother, was there.  Oktoberfest wasn’t at all what I expected.  The lederhosen, yes.  The carnival-like atmosphere, not so much.  It can best be equated to the Illinois State Fair times 10 million.  Minus the farm animals plus public intoxication.  There were more rides, GIANT beer tents, and of course thousands upon thousands of people.  It was difficult to get from point A to point B, so we didn’t even think about getting in a tent.  So, we went to Oktoberfest and had exactly zero beers.  Oh well, it was a been there, done that experience.  And my uncle almost got punched.  It makes for some great stories, y’all. 

OKTOBERFEST!

After we escaped the craziness of Oktoberfest, my uncle took us to dinner.  And thank goodness he did, we never would have figured out how to order or even what we were ordering.  We did know that we wanted the Schnitzel though.  Great choice.  It was absolutely delicious!

The next morning after we said goodbye to our hosts and Ewelina, Wojtus, and little cutie Alexandra, Scott played tour guide again and took us to Olympiapark!  I was really excited because I love love love the Olympics.  We immediately headed to Olympic Tower and went straight to the top.  Unfortunately it was overcast, so we couldn’t see very far, but I still enjoyed it!  No Alps sightings though.  Before heading back to the bottom, I forced everyone to go to the outside portion of the tower.  It was raining.  It was windy.  I was still having fun!  Before leaving, we peaked in at the Olympic Pool.  We saw a drunk man sleeping off his hangover on the bleachers.  No Michael Phelps,though. 

Munich!

Just a little windy!

Olympic Tower!

Oh Oktoberfest, you get the best of some people.

Soon after, Scott started the drive back to Heidelberg.  I wasn’t the best company.  I slept most of the ride.  Whoops!  We had a delicious Spaghetti dinner at the Brokaw House before heading once again to the airport. 

I had a fantastic weekend, and can never thank my family enough for chauffeuring us around and feeding us and letting us stay with them.  We are so so thankful!