Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit, Gemutlichkeit!

Two German-loving Americans could not have asked for a better experience than the one we had at the Cannstatter Volksfest.  After failing to make reservations ahead of time, we were forced to wait in the line of "ohne" people (meaning people "without" reservations) and hope for the best in order to get into one of the largest beer tents. 

After waiting more than an hour and being squashed and blocked by secuirty guards, we had a huge stroke of luck.  A drunken fight broke out by the door and the security guard was forced to leave his post blocking the door in order to stop it. 

The husband and I took the chance and snuck in as quickly as we could.  Luckily, we were not detected and soon melted into the crowd of merry beer drinkers.  A sketchy entrance, but hey, we proceeded to spend a lot of money there.  And so began our night of fun.

One of the first things we saw after walking in was a giant beer.  Confirming that yes, indeed, this is a happy place.



Me posing with giant frosted cookies with sayings like "Wild Stier" 



The only State Fair-esque ride that has every scared me.  We were both a little scared for our lives while riding it and we were both 100% sober.  It must be terrifying after a few liters.

Who knew the Statue of Liberty was so promiscuous?

Here we ate the first tasty corn we've had in Germany.  The Midwest still does a better job, though.

Our view while waiting to get into the beer hall.  Notice the yellow arm.  That is the security guard.  Notice the guy in the blue shirt.  He was so drunk and we were all squished together so tightly that he was sleeping on the guy in front of him.

The heavenly light shinning upon us as we entered the beer tent for the first time.

 First lederhosen sighting!  The closer we got to the music, you could see that most people stand, dance, and sing on the tables, rather than sit at them.

A kindly stranger.  He and his buddy took pitty on us because we had no table reservation.  They let us sit with them so that we could order our beers and food.

Soon me and the husband were their new best friends.  And happy with our first liters of beer.

Dancing and singing along the best we could in our broken German.

Everyone's favorite person in the tent: the beer lady!  Look at how strong she is.  I saw her carry up to 10!

Me getting comfortable in my natural habitat.

Me with my new friend, the King.

The King dancing with the husband  The King also spent a fair amount of time lecturing me on how I need to buy him a proper pair of Lederhosen.

After three liters each, we closed down the beer tent and walked to the train with two more new best friends.  Where they bought us donner kebap and the husband offered them our couch if they ever make it to the US.

One super happy couple!  Amazingly, we were still able to walk at the end of the night.