Had craving for something soupy last night and decided to look for a Vietnamese restaurant for a bowl of Pho. Googled came up with a few options, and chose one of the listings enroute back, with higher reviews – Nam Gio.
Turns out that the place is rather popular, but as I was there early, I managed to get a table. Shortly after I settled down, the restaurant owner asked if I could share the table with another single diner, and so I said yes.
Terry, an American who had been living in Bavaria for the last 30 years, stays just round the corner from the restaurant, and mentioned that he frequents the place regularly. He found it interesting that I had managed to find this quaint little diner in an out of the city neighbourhood and we strike up a conversation about my travels. This was when he said he usually books a table at the Oktoberfest on the 1st and last Saturday, and today being the last Saturday, invited me to join him and his party, whom will be there from 5pm.
Timing was tricky as I am due to fly out tonight at 10.30pm. But the offer was also tempting, as I wanted to experience how the “locals” celebrate Oktoberfest, and also to experience first hand the crowds, as was told door admission to individual beer tents usually gets restricted by 11am (!).
This time round I got to see the set-up from the upper level, and the crowds blew me away! It was sooooo completely packed, that people could hardly walk. It was super atmospheric, and great vibes all around. People were cheering and singing to the songs by the live band.
Had a beer with Terry and his friends, and a couple of his neighbours who frequents the same Vietnamese diner regularly, and they were surprised at a Singapore girl who managed to take > 4 months out for travelling, and randomly meeting Terry and getting invited to the Oktoberfest on the night of her flight :D
About 45 mins later, I had to say my good byes and quickly made my way to the train station to catch the train. While trying to make my way through the crowds at the Oktoberfest grounds, I saw a couple of people being wheeled out of the grounds – probably from passing out after one too many drinks.
The entire grounds were also more heavily guarded today, and even at the main train station located about 10 mins walk away, traffic was strongly controlled as certain areas had been cordoned off including one of the lines to the airport.
Luckily I had factored in additional time in lieu of potential delays and took another train line to get to the airport.
Flying off in an hour – Auf Wiederschen Germany and Mexico, here I come!
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