Bundesliga and Beer
We met Michael and Tim Jr. at Hofbrauhaus on Friday night
with hundreds of other pilgrims pre-gaming before events begin on Saturday. We had to split up to find spots at tables
which is good practice for the tents. I squeezed
in with Finn and six guys from Milan where we began the practice of finding
enough common vocabulary between English, Italian, Spanish and German. They were
a group of dads, sons and in-laws who drove from Milan to make opening day at
the festival. This was also our first ‘What’s
up with Trump?’ experiences which promises to be repeated often. Michael and Tim were with some Kiwi’s, Liam
with other Americans and a Qatar’i? Brendan,
fully recovered from his flu, checks out McD but joined us at the Italian table
where we start to merge and outnumber them.
After a few bosses of beer we headed to U-bahn to navigate back to the
hotel. I immediately lost everyone but
with enough phone charge to get back thanks to best friend google maps. We all return safely.
At about midnight, Patrick and Tim text that they can’t find
Michael and ask to crash with us since he had their only room key. Of course we welcome them to very comfortable
floor space in our 10x10 room. Michael
texts that he is back at their place at about 2AM. His phone had died and he was also diverted
with his regular U-Bahn inspection journey to the outer reaches of the
network.
Day 3 begins with opening parade featured in today's video. All the landlords enter the festival
grounds with their beer wagons led by teams of massive Clydesdales, the heritage
of the Bud tradition. We entered the
festival with thousands of enthusiastic revelers eager to down some litres
accompanied by pretzels, half-hendls, and radishes. After an orientation walk around the grounds
we each fight our way one-at-a-time into the Fischer-Vroni tent where Michael,
Patrick and Tim staked a spot in the beer garden.
Celebrating her 30th soon, guest of honor, Kate,
arrives with Liam and Brendan. We are
right next to the band, who play classics like New York, New York and Take Me
Home Country Road to get everyone going.
Patrick and Liam decide to attend Bundesliga match between Munich and Koln
when they score great seats online. Off
they go. We stay a bit longer but starving
Kate leaves the tent and can’t get back in.
Brendan and I left to rescue her and decide to end our afternoon early. Finn stays on and checks some other tents, more
beer and meets some Aussies and Americans.
Capped the night with a burger at a nearby café.
