Oktoberfest: Day 2

Oktoberfest: Day 2

9/22/2024

Somewhere over the Atlantic - Istanbul - Munich - Augsburg

Beers Drank: 2 liters

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Ok, so sleeping was more like intermittent napping throughout the flight. Having only two-ish hours of sleep prior to traveling helped us to fall asleep each time something woke us up. The cabin lights slowly brightened a couple hours prior to descending so we could get breakfast. We both elected the omlet over the waffle option. Delicious.

We landed 30-40 minutes later than planned at Istanbul Airport and learned that our flight to Munich had already started boarding. We power-walked the length of IST international terminal to make it just in time for the final boarding call. The boarding gate actually brought us to shuttle buses that brought us to the tarmac to board the plane. Jake and I were separated for this flight, I was at the very front of coach and Jake was all the way in the back. I had plenty of legroom up front and the window seat. 

My neighbor was very chatty. From Missouri headed to Oktoberfest (what are odds, or not since it was a flight to Munich) for a bachelor party. Or stag party as the Europeans say. This was the first time I experienced the “traveler questions”. Akin to the vanlifer questions, it consists of the typical where are you from, where are you heading, what places have you seen (really how many places so I can compare). Very chatty until he abruptly was decidedly not chatty. Maybe he was put off by my lack of impress at his stating he had been a professional baseball player or maybe he read my put offness at his question “were your trips to Mexico real trips?” Yes, there are people, or travelers, who think that if you stay at an all-inclusive resort, it’s not a real trip because you don’t experience real culture or something like that. Whatever, for someone who considered himself a traveler because he has been to, oh so, many countries, his lack of travel within the US was obvious. Travel is travel, its not a competition.

Regardless, I turned to my new tv screen and the screen was not the best so I couldn’t change it to English. I did manage Spanish after French and Japanese, so I am calling it a win. 

We were treated to second breakfast by the delightful TA and it was some sort of Turkish egg dish with yogurt and muesli, I inhaled it. My neighbor seemed to not like it, real traveler, my ass. Anywho, I was able to enjoy the incredible view from my window of the Swiss Apls, breathtaking.

Passport control in Munich Airport was loooong. It took us over an hour, but the agent/police person was really nice and friendly and talked to us about Oktoberfest. Jake’s stomach was not doing well so we made a pit stop in baggage claim. He apparently didn’t enjoy second breakfast as much as I had. Probably because he’s likely more dwarf than hobbit with all his handiness and tools. Elves, we are decidedly not.

Anywho, we had our mobile Deutschland train tickets already due to yours truly amazing planning skills, thank you very much. So we found the S-bauhn easily and jumped on. It was an hour-ish ride to Munich city center. I enjoyed the scenery and Jake was trying very hard to not fall asleep. I made an oopsies with our transfer train which resulted in waiting an hour for the next train to Augsburg. I’m calling it a learning opportunity.

Finally on the Bayern (regional train) to Augsburg, we found the cabin relatively empty. Jake fell asleep and I continued to be enchanted by the Bavarian countryside. We got off at Augsburg Hbf (central station) and had a scenic stroll through town to our hotel. They likely heard us well before seeing us arrive due to rolley luggage on cobblestone racket. I did well if I do say so myself on accommodation choice. The boutique hotel was picturesque and had super helpful staff. 

sleepy Jake, soft Jake, little ball of…beard, hehe

Our room was third from the corner above the awning

Jake showered and napped as soon as we entered our room. I unpacked and then showered before rousing Jake. My original plan of obtaining our Oktoberfest uniforms was quickly nixed due to everything being closed on Sundays. So instead we ventured out in search of an early dinner around 3pm. Jake found us a nice quintessential German cafe where we parked ourselves at one of their outdoor tables and enjoyed the next hour and a half drinking beer and eating (currywurst and Vienna-style schnitzel). We strolled around some more while digesting the sights and our food before heading back to our hotel. I crashed as soon as I laid down, hard.

FYI, if you ever find yourself in Munich/Augsburg area, I can not recommend the Dom Hotel enough. Honestly, one of the best places we have ever stayed and super reasonable pricing. I do not do affiliate links, we gain no monetary value if you stay there, we just loved this place so much.

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See all Oktoberfest posts

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