Munich/Munchen/Monaco

I arrive at the hostel strangely wide awake. After all I had been skiing for a week, had just endured a long late train ride and it was almost midnight. Maybe it was the excitement of a new city or the familiar feeling of checking in to a new hostel or meeting my new roomie... Something re-energised me so I went out with my Czech room mate. He has come to Munich for the weekend to see Snow Patrol play at a concert- the things you can do when another country is merely an hour away! We go to the Hoffbrauhous- Munich's most famous beer hall. It has a fantastic atmosphere: a lively brass band, people of all ages and nationalities talking and laughing, singing and drinking boisterously. You sit wherever there is room and we find ourselves across from a man dressed in traditional attire who cannot speak a word of English. He smiles and drinks his beer contentedly. And on the other side is a group of friendly Doitchlanders. The menu tells me they serve Dampfknudel- a desert that I had been searching for ever since one of the Swedes told me it is something I simply must try in Germany. The waiter brings it out and it is huge! It is a giant sweet cakey doughnut with vanilla sauce. Our companions laugh at me because it is not something that particularly "goes" with half a litre of beer but I eat it all and it is sooo good!

The next day I sleep in and have a very slow morning- dying my hair pink for something different... Outside it is gorgeous and sunny- perfect for exploring. I head to the ground where the annual Oktoberfest is held. It is a huge empty car park with a giant Barvarian woman statue to one side. Nothing special but I can imagine the festivities that take place in October and start planning my return trip to Germany in spring.

The main square is chocos full. Everyone is out and about on this gorgeous Saturday morning. The market is the main attraction it seems. Everywhere there are people eating sausages in rolls and sitting in the sun drinking beer (it's not yet midday but in Munich any time of day is beer time!). I grab a sausage in a roll from the place with the longest line and smother it in mustard and some other sauce like the person in front of me. After polishing that off I head to a stand with free olive and dip tasting and spend a good while lapping the trestle. But I'm a bit too conspicuous to look like someone new each time - what with my pink hair and red coat.

The next stop is the Maxamillion park, which encompasses the river. There is a heap of people sunbaking (and some swimming) down by the river, and after a good long walk around the giant park, I join them and nap in the sun.

That night I meet up with Maddy again and her friend who has just flown in from Australia. We go out to a mini Oktoberfest at one of the beerhalls and meet my swedish friends there. Everyone is dressed in traditional wear and they look fantastic. Our group (which somehow got to about thirty people) are a mix of all nationalities- most are exchange students. We drink litre beers and dance on the tables with the rest of the crowd - the Germans are a crazy bunch!