Oktoberfest

Eine, Svie, Trie, G'suffa!! Brings back memories from my lederhosen-wearing days at Busch Gardens. We had a reservation at one of the oldest established beer tents, Hoffbrau. This is the same company who owns and sells beer at the Hoffbrauhaus.

When we arrived, the flow of people coming in was immense. It was like 15 minutes before a Yankees game only they're not playing the Mariners, but the friggin Red Sox in game 7.

We stayed at our table for 5 hours singing all the songs and climbing up onto our benchs and tables. Michael's friends came too and explained a lot of the traditions and meanings of the songs and rituals.

After 4, we went on a few rides including a haunted house where a masked man jumped out sparatically. I may have been scared if I were able to translate what he was saying.

This morning we are up early again for our last jaunt to Vienna. I'm listening to a few hangover hellos 'uhhh' as I sit quietly in the office. I'm still trying to convince Mike that Arnold's house isn't too far off track, but he seems uninterested. Of course, I missed the Mr. Olympia weekend while I was here and I am sure Arnie is there.

I miss everyone dearly and can't wait to come back, show pix, and tell more detailed adventures. If anyone really wants to call me and can't wait, just dial: 04 345 48373 343 2995 1722 87 3887 398 8822 8474 836 4883 2933 4992. That's the home #. Cell is: 37 399 19328 3884 2993 7711 232 8484 38772 94882 343 492 8227 39982 474 2342.

King Ludwig 2

Today we went to King Ludwig's 3rd castle which was completely amazing. The entire place was a replicate of the Castle at Versailles because he was so obsessed with King Henry 2. The rooms were enormous including 2 bedrooms, 1 which was never used. Ryan and I thought we maybe something like this would be listed on Craigslist as a 2 Bedroom somewhere upstate, but I doubt it. Oh and the bath was the size of a small living room, took 9 hours to prepare and was only used twice. Why, you ask? Was Ludwig a stinky king? No, my friends. The reason he only took 2 baths there was because he only spent 10 days there.... total. The rest of the time he was sipping margaritas in the Medd and singing in the hills somewhere in Austria.

The 6 degrees of Ryan were connected again at dinner tonight. Ryan met Ben knows Jen who met Michael at...

Tomorrow is leiderhosen shopping (for Oktoberfest) and then rock climbing. I hope I get a grip.
Ben