Oktoberfest Pictures

The opening band at HofBrau Haus tent

More of the band members

 Inside of another tent

And yet another tent, they each have their own theme.

 

This tent was crowded and decorated brightly.

This is the tent where we PARTIED!  Oh the good time we had.

 Another crowd picture. 

Mehr Fotos of Europe

Mexican Restaurant in Amsterdam

The Menu at the Mexican Restaurant.  Hum, I wonder what kind of Mexican food?

Germany:  Where is the arrow pointing to????

The most delicious Plum tort I have ever had in Germany!

Crowded but the party has not started.  Everyone is still sober.

These guys were catching up for lost time. 

The Madchen of Oktoberfest...

Reminiscing about Europe 2010

Some photos of places/things in Amsterdam.

An outdoor Classical Concert in front of a church.  Lots of people just taking it in.

At the top of each building is a pulley which is used to hoist large items to the homes/apts.  Only way to get large furniture up.

Amsterdam canals everywhere.  People live on those house boats.

People eat outdoors when the weather is nice.  This place had fantastic apple pie with fresh cream.

All around Amsterdam you get to see old architecture.  As Huell Hauser says: "It's Amazing!"

Can you believe this? A restaurant seating area over the canal?  Didn't eat there but I'm sure it was good.

Amsterdam is a city in love with bicycles.  Bicycles rule and you can find them everywhere.  While walking around the city you have to made sure you are not on a bike path.  The cyclists will run you over or swear at you in Dutch. 

Henri's neuer Hut (new Hat)

Great news.  After looking everywhere Henri finally found a replacement hat. Not exactly like the original but close.  He now has the template for making more custom made hats in case he loses another.  Henri has been busy entertaining one of his relatives from Ireland.  I think his relative really likes the USof A.  Although he is here illegally, perhaps the thought that he can bring good luck or work for measly wages, people will be OK that he is here contributing to the economy.  Check out the new hats! His cousin looks like a million bucks...

Stay tuned for more pictures of the Euro Trip

Henri - HUT search

Henri is still looking for a replacement hat.  He's tried these on to see if one might be a good fit.

This is the Lepre-Gnome look.  Color doesn't seem quite right.

The Mexi-Gnome...This one does look good but still not right although it might help ward off the Chupacabra.

The Witchie-Gnome hat...maybe for Holloween.  A bit too big and somber.

Or maybe the country farm. This is a definite NO!  Looks more like he's wearing a flying saucer.

Perhaps the Cowboi-Gnome for some Rodeo stints on the side when not gardening.

Henri will continue to look for an original Gnomie hat.  In the meantime, he will search the picture files for more Euro travel posts. 

Found a new Artist

Just before going to Europe I came across the music performances of Max Raabe.  I am a officially a fan.






Max und his orchestra are coming to Sacramento.

Last night in Guaire, Ireland

Not much happening with Henri as far as the hat issue.  Did some visiting with authentic Irish locals and got to see their new brood.  They are friendly as can be but still can not get used to the Irish dialect.  It just gives me a headache trying to concentrate especially knowing they are speaking english.  I guess they also think we speak with an accent.  Henri did tell me he also made friends with a another guy in Germany but he is just now telling me.  This guy is a mister fix it,  if it is broke (kaput), he can fix it.  This guy is lean and mean; and his mantra is that the customer comes first.  Henri really befriended this guy and promises to visit him again.

They are best of buddies.

Tuesday is on to Dublin, the Irish Capital for some last minute shopping.  Perhaps we can hook up with Bono or Sinead or Dolores, although it would be great to run into Christy Moore.  Who knows what awaits the adventurous travelling Gnome, Henri.   On Wednesday, it is off to the USA and back home for some decompressing.  It has been a fun filled vacation trip seeing friends, family and friends.  It was a LOVELY, GORGEOUS and fun filled time.  However, it will be back to reality and the day to day grind.  Henri has lots of catching up to do with all the Sacramento Gnomes back home.  

The persistent song

I have to admit that there was one song which has been persistently stuck in my head.  It started in Amsterdam when I saw an advertisement for Salt 'n Pepper doing a show and of course I immediately thought of their big hit.  I am purging it slowly out of my head as the vacation trip comes to a close. 




BTW:  Henri has been in consultation with the Princess of Ireland to see if a replacement hat can be located.  The first suggestion isn't too keen.

A picture of the consultation.

Hat just isn't right....

Popular song

Check out this song.  I heard it played a lot in Germany and Ireland, too.  Catchy tune...  This will be the song which will be associated with this trip (2010) to Europe. 

Ireland: Land of the Leprechans

9/24-9/25

Arrived unscathed in the Emerald Isle.  The weather could not be any better, lots of sun and the Irish are running around like it was 100 degrees.  More like upper seventies.  There is some bad news.  Henri lost his hat during transit from Wein to Dublin.  He is devastated about this loss.  His hat had been in the family for hundreds of years, it was passed down over several generations.  Irish officials for Aer Lingus have received Henri's request for assistance.  Although not hopeful of recovering the hat, Irish officials are pretty slow to act on issues, Henri will be looking for a temporary hat.  Meanwhile, the stay in Guaire, County Wexford has been going well.  Henri is looking for his distant cousins (the Leprechans of the O'Sheat family).  The moon is full tonight so  things look promising in locating relatives.

If you never have been to Ireland, rainbows are plentiful and the hills and valleys are every kind of shade of green one can imagine.  Sunday will be spent in Dublin Town checking out an antique fair and who knows what else may happen.  

Above picture of Crown Jewels in Austrian Tresury.

 Came upon a Vietnamese (not Viennese) restaurant.  There are plenty of food eating choices in Vienna.

Hum, must translate this:  Guess it means "day exit and not free stopping"

 A bit of an Irish meal...potatoes are KING.

This isn't a Leprechan.  He is a crazy Irish toddler running around the Hood.  Seems to be wired up, A.D.D.

Germany to Wein

9/21--9/24
Off to Vienna via train from Munich. It was a five hour trip. Got to see some of the beautiful countryside as the train moved along. Arrived in Vienna at approximately 2 pm. Henri suggested a slow paced afternoon just walking around getting acquainted with the city. It is Old world and new world at the same time. Amazing that some of the architecture and statues throughout the city are so old

Henri got up early for breakfast which is included in the hotel price. Not the kind of breakfast we have in the states. More like bread, meats, cheeses, juice, boiled eggs, yogurts, cereals...looking for the big omlettes or the Denneys big meals, not here. You can probably find such a menu but one would have to look around for it.

Went around town checking out the museums, statues (there's lots of them), some grub and a fantastical tort for desert. Went to the Shoenbrunn Palace a visit not to be missed while in Wein. Getting around town is pretty easy with the mass transit or one can do the hard core walking tour.

Left Wein to Ireland in morning and arrived in Dublin around 3pm. It is about a 3.5 hour flight but once in Ireland had to do the Customs thing. Once arrived in Gorey, County Wexford had the first PINT of Guinness, it was the best. Henri split to seek out his distant cousins, the Irish Leprechans so do not expect to see him for a bit.

View of the Schonbrunn Palace

Henri's meal:  Real Vienna Sausage

One of the many fountains.

Delicious: Ham and cottage cheese sandwich.

View of Vienna from the top of the St. Stephans church dome.  300 plus stairs to get to the top.

Henri posing at Schonbrunn Palace.  It is so massive that a one day trip is not enough.

Another statue in front of a public building.

The architecture throughout town is amazing.

Vienna is all about music and culture.  Did go on a tour of the Opera Haus.

Stopped by a local church.  Henri had to take his cap off in respect.

In memorium monument to the Jewish people who died due to Nazi persecution.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest, Oktoberfest, Oktoberfest. Henri managed to get a group of us into the Hofbrau Tent. A wee bit of an incident when he squeezed into a bench area which was being saved by some junge madchen. The bier frau told them they could not save a space so she freed up the space for all of us. The Madchen were pissed, they started chanting some weird German phrase: Schiesse, schiesse, schiesse. We thanked them and proceeded to sit. Did I mention Henri got us into the tent around 9:00 am so we had some waiting to do until the first pour started at NOON. Our table did not get served until 12:25 pm, who was counting? It was a long wait but once the first pours started it was festivus all around. There was bier, hendl, pretzels, drunks, Aussies, music, Aussies, drunks, music, drunks...there were a lot of drunk Aussies doing all kinds of crazy stuff, it was the biggest party on earth. Oh yea, there were a lot of men dressed in dirndl's, don't know what that was all about. The tent was full of all nationalities...and they all got drunk the same way...excessive drinking, belching, puking, and all those fun things. Left the tent around 4:30 pm to walk around the fair grounds. Plenty of trinkets, carnival rides, food and every thing Germania. Got back to the hotel and rendevous'd with Henri. He had ditched us and went to hang out with his peeps. Next morning went to see the Oktoberfest parade (about 2 hours) and then for a walk through the fair grounds with a clearer mind. Those Aussies were still partying. The photos speak for themselves...

Entrance to Oktoberfest

Henri's first biers

People partying

Bandstand

Pic of one of the tents

Another tent

More tent partying

The band playing and dancing

Line for the pisser

Next day parade

Henri the day after