My Very First Oktoberfest in Dubai

I thought we were going to keep to ourselves as we chugged down liters of beer.

The beer part turned out to be true, but we certainly weren't alone. We celebrated Oktoberfest with hundreds of other people - mostly from Deutschland.

This month-long German festival surprised me and crushed the stereotype that Germans are a serious bunch who can't have fun.

Where do I begin? 

First off, big fat warm pretzels served with sweet mustard. 

Then, a big plate of sausages, with pure pork fat on the side as a spread for the bread.  I didn't have any of it, but I did devour the rest. The sausages were sooo savory good. Every bite was sinful, and I don't regret it.

Of course, beer. I hadn't had beer in a loooong time, and that evening I had half a litre of German beer. It was sweet and heavy and gave me a big hangover. But it did aid my dancing skills. Which brings me to my next favorite thing about Oktoberfest...

Everyone danced and laughed and there was an air of merriment in the tent that can only come from intoxication and good music. We danced on our table (we fell at one point) and clinked pints with strangers, some of them wearing the traditional Bavarian costumes (read: long sleeved checkered shirts and trousers that awkwardly end several inches below the knee). We even met a Dutch guy who lives in Germany, and he had only been in Dubai for an hour when he joined our table and decided that we were going to be his party buddies for the evening. We obliged. Duh. 

I had so. Much. Fun. And I think it's because the organizers did a great job at making sure people had fun, the toilets were conveniently located and accessible, guests didn't need to wait to get a table, and they got their orders on time. Especially the booze. Very very efficient - a German stereotype that I believe to be true. Way to go, Grand Hyatt.

I can't wait to go next year. 'Til then, I'm going back to my vodka lime soda and karaoke habit.