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Munich, Germany: Beer, Food, and Festivals

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow"- Lin Yutang

 It's a surreal feeling, arriving back to Ireland after a full month of living in a fantasy. I anxiously watched the ocean stretch out below me, waiting what seemed like forever for the beautiful Irish green countryside to merge with the crashing waves below me. Once I saw the first glimpse of patchy greenery, a smile spread across my face- who knew I would miss this little island so much?

Our final stop on our European tour was to Munich, Germany. Aka, my homeland. German blood runs deep through my veins, and definitely has something to do with my drink of choice (uh, beer please). So we checked into our hotel and found a restaurant where we promptly had our first liter of beer. Yes, a liter. The mugs were unreal sized, and the beer was extraordinarily tasty- and only a small glimpse as to what we would experience during Spring Fest.

When we booked our trip to Munich, we had no idea what we were going to do there (besides, obviously drink a few brews). But, to our surprise, we booked our stay on the opening day of Spring Fest, or mini-October Fest. Essentially a glorified fair, but with sausages, and pretzels, and beer tents that hold over 2000 people. It was quite the experience to see something so packed, and to watch in awe as the Beer Maids carried 8 liters of beer to tables full of drunken men in traditional German clothing. With no open seats in the tents, we wandered off to this little beer garden that had a Carrousel bar. So we perched up on a table, and almost immediately meet some new friends. After drinking and chatting, and more drinking, our new friends Tom and Franziska, who were most definitely the cutest couple I have ever met, invited us to their friends house a few blocks away. It's pretty incredible that we were able to meet a couple of true Germans (technically, Bavarian- yes, there is a difference between the two) at Spring Fest. They were so eager to teach us about their culture, and we left the night with two new friends, and memories to take with us for the rest of our lives.

Although we weren't in Munich long, I can definitely say that I will return, because it's true what they say, travel is the only thing you spend money on that makes you richer. Allowing myself to sink into each new culture, I find that my limits and knowledge are constantly being tested. I have had to rely on the kindness of strangers, communicate in difference languages, and get lost- all to understand where I am. It's hard to believe that an entire month has already gone bye, but it's even harder to believe that I won't wake up in a foreign land tomorrow- I'll wake up in good ol' Cork, Ireland, in my own bed, with clean clothes.

EuroTrip was easily the most incredible thing that I've ever done- but right now, it feels pretty good to be back in the Emerald Isle.

German beer is better in liters


Just some German traditional music and dancing

#powerpoint

Spring Fest!

Inside the Beer Tent

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