Oktoberfest 2011: same procedure as every year

This is our fourth Oktoberfest as locals. Since leaving my parents’ house at 18, I’ve never lived anywhere else for more than three years, so this is kind of weird for me. I’m not used to doing things for a fourth time.

But here I am, getting out the dirndl (paired with sensible shoes for dancing on wooden benches) for Oktoberfest number four. Conversations with friends all include an exchange of details about which tents we will be in on which nights. The guest room is booked for almost a month straight with various configurations of friends and family. You know, same old same old.

Today was quite rainy, so we settled into a balcony table at the Ochsenbraterei tent for some fine people-watching over a couple maß (and some ox, as pictured above).

I suppose there are some advantages to living somewhere for four years in a row, like getting to show off all the local knowledge you’ve acquired. We’re pretty good at showing our wiesn visitors around by now. We know which tents are our favorites and how to get into them. We know whether the historical section is worth the €3 admission fee. We know how to come and go while avoiding the massive crushes of people on the subway. And of course, we know the dances.

If you find yourself visiting Oktoberfest and don’t have a local to help orient you (but are the type of person who enjoys being oriented), you can always peruse our archives for our accumulated wiesn advice. Here are some of our most helpful Oktoberfest posts from years past:

Here for the first time? Check out our guide to Oktoberfest for beginners.

Looking for vegetarian food at Oktoberfest? There’s actually a lot to be had.

Wondering what to wear to Oktoberfest? Or which tent to visit first?

Wearing a dirndl to Oktoberfest? Tie your apron the right way, or the fashion police will get you.