Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/157485
Hoppiest THE place on earth A taste of Munich's Oktoberfest by joe wiebe I can hardly keep my balance. I'm standing on in the centre of the room with a large band on top – easily a bench, bouncing and bucking with a dozen men and 20 musicians along with three singers in Bavarian garb – women, most of whom I've just met, some of whom speak playing a medley of pop rock tunes and traditional Gerlanguages I don't know. I take another big swig from the man drinking songs. Green cascades of aromatic hop giant Maßkrug (litre mug) of beer clenched in my hand and plants hang down from the ceiling and the hall's huge support pillars. We're at Munich's Oktoberfest, in the look around once more at the mind-boggling scene. heart of the action. Our table is just one of hundreds, all I catch the eye of my buddies, Shawn jammed with happy, beer-guzzling danc- (opposite) The Himmel der Bayern and Hughe, who are grooving to the beat ers – many in lederhosen (Bavarian leather (Bavarian Heaven) Oktoberfest across from me, and raise my giant beer breeches) or dirndls (colourful, corseted tent; (below) writer Joe Wiebe (centre) toasts with friends dresses) – filling a building the size of a Shawn Bouchard (left) and Hughe mug for a toast. They grin back at me and hockey arena. There is a large, raised stage Rose in the Schottenhamel tent. lift their glasses in response. (right) Joe Wiebe, (tent) George Steinmetz/Corbis p36-43_Oktoberfest.indd 37 GOING PL ACES >> Fa l l 2 0 1 3 37 13-08-14 1:27 PM