Just a Touch of...

Oh Oktoberfest!
September 25 - 27, 2009

Late one night, while sitting at the kitchen table in Michigan, I received a phone call from two of my favorite people who live in London. They were calling to ask if I would be interested in joining them for a weekend in Munich for Oktoberfest. The weekend being, coincidentally right before my birthday. In the past I have always celebrated my birthday at Harpoonfest in Boston so I felt that this would be a great opportunity to celebrate turning 29. So I booked my flight then and there and started counting down the days when I returned to Lugano for my reunion with Hayley and Allyson in Germany!

Friday night, I arrived late in the evening and met Hayley at the airport. Allyson's flight had been delayed for over and hour so we took off for the hotel to meet up with the boys, who had already partaken in the festivities throughout the day. However, they really rallied, staying up at the hotel bar and drinking a couple of beers while we waited anxiously for Allyson's arrival.

Eric was excited to see his flatmate.

Hayley and I

Before heading off to bed, we decided to meet in the lobby at 8:30 because we had to get our spots in a tent before the crowds really arrived. I think that time was definitely wishful thinking because, we met, had a little breakfast, sat around for a while and finally took off for our destination around 9:30 or so.

But not before taking a picture of our subway stop, just in case we needed it in the evening.

I was shocked when we arrived at the fairgrounds outside of the city. I was expecting beer tent after beer tent but I soon learned that Oktoberfest also included an entire amusement park for families to enjoy. Originally, Oktoberfest was held as a weekend wedding celebration. It was such a great success they continued holding it in Munich every year at the same location.

The amusement park

Our first stop

A huge pig roasting on a spit inside the tent

Inside the tent

At our first spot, the Spatenbrau, we were shocked to find out that the place was already packed and virtually impossible to find a seat inside. But we were fortunate to find an entire empty table where we could sit together outside and it was suppose to be a beautiful day with, being overcast in the morning. Our seats were fantastic, right in the middle of a great deal of Italians partaking in a drinking competition and another group that by 10:00 were already a little rowdy. They continually exchange turns chanting at each other and of course raising their steins in a group Proust.

The ladies

Our first round

Hefting our steins, which later caused a little bruising above the thumb

Our seat in the center of the patio was a fantastic location for people watching and getting a feel for the entire scene. Many Germans choose to wear the traditional dress of lederhosen for men and dirndls, blouses and aprons for the women. This definitely made the whole experience a little more ethnic.


One women, was raised about chest high while standing on a table by 6 men in lederhosen while she chugged an entire stein around 10:30 in the morning. It was rather impressive and it brought everyone in our area to their feet, cheering her on.

The maypole decorations throughout the fairgrounds

Our whole group. Hayley, Allyson, Carlos, Eason and Eric

Another man being lifted while he chugged a stein. He was not quite as successful as the young lady before. He dumped quite a bit of beer on the poor man holding him on his shoulders.


Instead of purchasing some lunch I had a real craving for a pretzel. One the size of my head preferably.

We all enjoyed them thoroughly

Eric came back to the table and he had acquired a new hat. Which of course we all needed to take a picture while wearing.

As the day progress, Hayley, Carlos and Eason began to fade so we departed ways and our first beer hall in the attempt to find another to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening. Unfortunately, Saturday's are very busy during Oktoberfest and all of the halls were closed by 2 pm. They had put ropes up keeping people out as well as locking the doors to prevent overcrowding. I was having none of it so at one point Allyson and I walked under a rope and were able to get into another hall. The doors were still closed to the tents but we were able to find a table outside to spend the rest of the day meeting new people and watching the events around us.

At one point, I went for a walk and was able to walk through the kitchen and into the tent to experience a different event. It was absolutely crazy and like nothing I could have expected. There were hundreds of people inside the tent, all standing on their benches and even the tables, with steins in their hands singing and dancing to American music. The intensity was incredible and it really made everyone want to dance and just have a good time. I try to get Eric and Allyson into the tent with me but was unsuccessful so after about an hour I went back out and joined them.

One of the people that we met was a guy named Fritz. Fritz was very intriguing because he was wearing the traditional lederhosen but he also was sporting a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses at night.

I found this to be amusing, I wear sunglasses at night as well.

Around 10:30 Allyson and I ventured out of the fair grounds in the search of food which we were successful finding in the Marienplatz or main square. After a scrumptious dinner of sausage spiraled together we went back and met up with Eason, Carlos, and Hayley who were watching their football teams compete. Hayley's found success but Cal couldn't recover after a slow start.

On Sunday we all slept in and met up to walk into the center of Munich in the search of a huge breakfast. Eason leading the way with a little help of his blackberry led us to a fantastic place that served a quality breakfast of eggs, pancakes, french toast and much more. Very rarely can I find a breakfast like this one in Europe. I was in heaven and I think everyone was in agreement on that.

With full belly's we made our way back to the center and went to the top of Sankt Peter's cathedral. From the tower we were able to see the Glockenspiel and as we turned the corner way in the distance the Ferris wheel at the Oktoberfest fairgrounds.

Glockenspiel

Oktoberfest fairgrounds

Back in the Marienplatz we were just in time to listen to the Glockenspiel go through the routine of music and the characters in the tower spinning around. Coming the second time and witnessing it again, I was able to recognize how goofy Allyson, Lizzie and I must have looked with our camera's perched waiting for the chimes to go. There were hundreds of people in the Marienplatz staring skyward for almost 20 minutes watching something that after a minute you truly get the full effect.

Once that was done, Allyson and I took off heading towards the main train station, while the rest of the crew went to the English Garden for more sight seeing. Allyson and I were on a hunt for Heidi Halloween Costumes and we were successful. I purchased a black and pink dirndl with ties and all, while Allyson find a beautiful red and green dirndl. All in all a very successful shopping experience.

Then we were off to the airport to say our goodbyes with my heading to Milan while the rest flew to London. Only a couple weeks and we will be back together again when Shannon and Ellis come to visit. I can't wait!

Ridge Hike

Monte Lema to Monte Tamaro Adventure
Saturday, September 12

Today was a great day even though it started out a little overcast. At 9 A.M. the Fitts, Sarah B., Sarah G. Brody and I took for the infamous Monte Lema to Tamaro ridge hike. Renowned for its fantastic views of Ticino, Lago Lugano and Lago Maggiore.

After parking my car at the base of Tamaro we all piled into the Fitt's car with the 4 girls in the back for the 30 minute drive uphill on intense switchbacks bringing on nausea in more than one of us. But it wasn't that bad and once at the base we jumped in a gondola to the top and the start of our hike.

There was a haze as far as the eye could see and the clouds rolled in and out throughout our day. However, it didn't make the hike any less eventful. The beginning started out a little rough because we took a turn to the right against Shane's best wishes and we all ended up in bushes as high as our chests.

Beth and I once we made it out of the bushes.

The whole crew. Brody, Beth and Shane, Sarah Boughey and Sarah Grove.

All along the path were these beautiful trees with the red berries. They covered as far as the eye could see. It was quite a sight.


Beth and I conquering our first jumping picture on a huge rock overlooking the valley below.

But that wasn't the only challenge. From there on out our little ridge hike was little more challenging with an uphill hike that left us all breathing heavy and ready for a little lunch. At this point we were half way and it was much easier from there on out.

A self service hut equipped with wine, food, and all sorts of goodies. Got to love the Swiss!

The Girls

When we turned the corner after lunch we were stopped by a herd of goats blocking the path. They ruled the place and felt that we had no business being there. However, Shane sweet talked one of them and gave him a good pet before we were on our way again.

Love the trail markings!

The path got narrow at points. Brody wasn't a huge fan of these sections and he would often take off running just to get them over quickly. This part however it wasn't possible because there were mountain bikers coming at us from the opposite direction. I was afraid they were going to slide down the mountainside.

A dog bar at one of the self service huts along the way

Almost to the end we had to capture a jumping shot of the whole group. The clouds were really rolling in at this point.

Descending on our final destination.

Four hours later we took our final group shot,
caught a gondola down and began all the car jockeying to get everyone where they needed to go on time. Then back to TASIS to prepare for an evening out for Masa's birthday.

We started the evening with Margarita's and a dinner with a slight Mexican flair at Etnics.

Lizzie and Beth

Masa and I

Then Masa had arranged a table at Club 1 for the rest of the evening. It was a great table where we could see everyone who entered the bar as well as a private space to have a little dance party.

A great night to end a great day!

Mendrisio Wine Festival

September 5, 2009

I had a great weekend, and it was much needed for sure. Friday night all the ES girls got together and went to the Lido bar for a couple of drinks by the water. It was absolutely beautiful sitting on the deck, with the full moon glistening off the surface of the lake. With that backdrop it was the prefect opportunity to get to know some of the new teachers.

On Saturday, Lizzie, Beth, Shane and I headed for Mendrisio for the 53 annual Wine Festival. I don't know if I would call it so much a wine festival or a more so a market but they had a lot of food and clothes stands spread throughout the center of town.

A small obstacle course set up on a hill for little kids to ride through during the festival.

A little stud carrying his car up to tackle the obstacle course a second time.

Shane and Beth always goofing around

We wandered around for quite a bit, eating sausage before settling at a table with a bottle of wine for a little people watching.

Beth and I

Not to long after, we went back to Lugano to relax and finish the night with a fantastic dinner at Bella Vista.

Lago Lugano from the Red Bench

San Abbondino on my way home from dinner.

It's a great start for what I predict will be a wonderful year.

Faculty Banquet

September 2, 2009

Tonight we had the faculty dinner. The buzz was there as always about what everyone was going to wear, who we were going to sit with and of course the menu culminating in the favorite Tartufo.

A couple days before flying back to Lugano I went shopping with my mom at Somerset and purchased a dress at Ann Taylor Loft. Unbeknown st to me, a lot of people had done the same and it turned out that Beth and I had on identical dresses. Which was pointed out to me immediately as I entered Casa Fleming for the cocktail hour. Luckily we both were quite amused and took a photo for a split screen of who wore it best.




After a little mingling I had the opportunity to go up the tower and catch the beautiful view of Lake Lugano and DeNobli.

Lake Lugano

Denobli

The ladies of the elementary school in the tower of Casa Fleming

It was absolutely breathtaking. This was the 1st time Lynn had opened the upper floors of Casa Fleming during the banquet for us all to explore.

Some of the returners. Allie, Carla, Lizzie and I

Lizzie, Guia, Carol and I

Now the answer to the next question...who will be at my table. I have to admit I was extremely excited when I realized I had Jen, Dan, The Bendels, Allie and Matt Walker. Granted I was in the exact same seat and table position as the year before but the people were fantastic.

Matt and I were put together again!

Jen and I

We had great conversation and many laughs throughout dinner. Until we realized that the dessert had been changed from Tartufo to a grapefruit sorbet. This was the 1st time in 53 years that the menu was altered. It was absolute devastation. But I guess we all survived with only a little grumbling.