So our first jet-lagged, beer and sausage-laden afternoon/night in Munich seemed to be a success. We powered through our lack of sleep and medicated ourselves with giant pretzels and the local beverage. Some of our highlights from out first day included visiting the Marienplatz (Munich's main square) to see the glockenspiel perform, climbing St. Peter's Church tower (306 steps) for an incredible view of the city center, and visiting the touristy, yet fun, Hofbräuhaus. We found ourselves an outside table in the beer garden since the inside tables were packed. Our table was between two convivial groups, one Spanish, and one group from Iceland. They were toasting eachother over our heads and singing. We had a great time too but our jet-lag left us in a more mellow mood. It was our first venture in to wursts, sauerkraut, and various other forms of Bavarian potato, cheese, and sausage fare. All of it was very good...but I'm looking forward to my first pork knuckle tonight! Oh, and since we're here in Munich during the Oktoberfest (the 200th anniversary) everyone, and really mean everyone, is wearing traditional Bavarian dress (Lederhosen for men and Dirndl for women). We'll be sure to get some photos of it today.

We've arrived...  It was a pretty long flight and I don't think any of us got any real good sleep on the plane.  We made our connecting flight in Portugal after a 6 hour flight, bought some energy drinks (at what would have been 2am in CT) and then got on the next plane which was a 3 hour flight.

Despite the lack of sleep I think we are all in pretty spirits but arriving at the hotel is needed right now for a little freshening up (and maybe a nap...).  Its 3:30pm here right now and our walk to the hotel showed that everyone is dressed for Oktoberfest.  It’s awesome!  I’m sure we'll have some better pictures when we go out later...

For now I'm in my tiny room and unlike Aaron, Cherie, Matt, and Vicki’s room I have to share a bathroom.   :(    It’s ok though.  It’s clean, and I’m only sharing with 3 other rooms.  Anyways, here's a quick picture of my tiny room.  We'll have some better pictures later for sure... (Not just hotel photos...)

So its the final countdown to leave tomorrow.  We leave from the international airport in Newark NJ, which is a 3 hour drive and we have to be there 2 hours early.  The flight is at 6pm so we'll be leaving Matt and Vicki's at 11am.

Ive just finished packing and I feel relieved.  It's not like I wouldn't survive without 2 pairs of jeans vs. 3 but the thoughts still go back and forth in my head.  I'm dizzy...

Anyway, here's a picture of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.  We will be there in a couple days, but its one if the places I'm looking forward to seeing.  It looks like a post card... but I'm going there! Yesssssssssssss........

Getting excited for the trip!

Yes Ill have the small beer too please!