Oktoberfest

If there is anything I miss from Germany, one thing for sure is the Oktoberfest in Munich or Canstatterwassen in Stuttgart. For those who are not familiar to Oktoberfest (and I hope that I explain it correctly to avoid complaints from my dear "Bavarian" friend!), this is beer festival held annually in Munich which was first started on 12th October 1810 to commomerate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Due to its growing popularity, the mayor of the city of Munich decided to continue this festival as yearly tradition. They also decided, however, to move date of the Oktoberfest earlier in Sept (starts normally around third week of Sept and last until the German Reunification Day on 3rd October)


In Shanghai, Oktoberfest is celebrated in all Paulaner's restaurants. Paulaner is one of the famous beer brewery from Munich and they have 3 restaurants here in Shanghai with one brewery house where they brew their own beer in here. To celebrate this festival, they brought one of German band (also said to have played for the Paulaner's Oktoberfest tent in Munich this year) and a lot of people showed up wearing traditional German clothes, singing and dancing German's volksongs. It's unbelievable to see how many Germans are living in this fast growing city.


One downside of the good old jolly Oktoberfest is of course the morning after. So we are soon off to a relaxing & pampering body massage!


Update: I actually asked my German friend at the office today and he told me that there are about 100.000 Germans are registered in the city of Shanghai today.