Oktoberfest... Sonnenalp Style

He was going crazy because of his red rubber boat… At least that is what they translated the song that was playing at the end of the night. Beer in hand, my feet in rhythm to the thumping of the base, everyone standing around laughing and joking, and at the end of the night walking away from the cloud of cigarette smoke to the smell of cow / horse / goat / whatever manure. It was by far the most entertaining night here so far… I can still hear the music that the old Germans are still dancing to across the road from the lobby… They even slipped in “We Will Rock You.” Random groups of them are returning the hotel giddy after the Sonnenalp version of Oktoberfest… the beer certainly kicking in.

At first Maya and I were desperate to find things to do when our shift began this afternoon. I wiped, re-wiped, and triple wiped the same tables in between the random scoops of ice cream. Wrapped bowls of wurst salat and bread baskets then went back to wiping. We knew something was happening today, but not exactly what it was. We ate dinner, changed into new jackets and walked down, over and around to another building…. Normally the indoor tennis court, but today it was a festival. Walls draped with the blue and white checkers of the Bavarian flag, tables with pretzel hanging holders and a stage on one side with a band doing sound checks. Trees lined the walls and then there were stands set up with pine tree branches and large copper serving dishes. The smell of roasting duck and pork made my mouth water as I watched smoke pouring out of the super hot ovens…  No worries…Nothing on fire… just the intensity of the heat… Soon everyone arrived impressive and professional looking in their chef whites, long white aprons, and tall paper tokes.

We began the evening listening to a speech from Mr. Sonnenalp himself and toasting and prosting, front and back of the house, with a shot of schnapps. We check the final details of our stations and the guest came walking in. Some dressed in traditional German wear but mostly in blue or red checks. The beer came out and soon the crowd started coming up to the stations with hungry and eager eyes. One couple spoke English giving me a chance to explain their appetizer options, but for the most part when the guests came up I looked over at my scooping buddy and he or she would respond on my behalf. The band began to play and the tables began to sway to the beat. More eating, some dancing, more eating, and lots and lots of laughing.

It was wonderful to see a room with every inch alive and happy. All seemed normal… then they rolled in the trampoline. Yeah… that’s what I said… and yeah… that’s exactly what I thought too… I got my camera ready as the dance floor cleared and three guys performed a trampoline show for the guests. I couldn’t help but stop everything  I was doing and watch. I wish I could post the video but the internet speed will not allow it. I didn’t know that there was such a thing as a trampoline show… No idea a guy could bounce so high either. It was at times impressive… others very odd, but certainly fitting the festivities. The crowd’s ooh and clapping urged them on and the performers left the room in the lederhosen drenched with sweat. Didn’t see that one coming… not sure if I really every need to see that again either. Interesting to say the least.

I would randomly go out the side door to sample the traditional Bavarian treats. Overall very good  but my palate isn’t too keen on the flavor of vinegar… Especially with the wurst salad. This is the worst salad I have ever had! Pun intended. Sausage (similar to bologna) cut into strips, raw onions, pickles, and vinegar… very local food and I keep trying to like it but each time… I just can’t do it. Another delicacy everyone loved and did not was the sliced bread spread with pig fat and crispy bits of pig skin. I liked the crispy bits…. But the thick layer of soft, room-temperature pork fat... not so much. Those were the two items my taste buds fought against the most, but overall everything else was delicious…. The roasts, smoked fish, the spaetzle, the sauces, fresh berries, crepes, strudel…. I could go on…

Once the crowd was full of all the good foods they hit the dance floor and if my father was present, he probably would have called it, “tight.” It was a mixture of German tradition and the generic party songs… I enjoyed listening to the German singer slur her way through the English songs… Maya and I stood at the dessert station swaying and bobbing to the tunes of “New York, New York” and “Sweet Caroline.” Some of the guests as well at the waiter enjoyed watching the American girls dancing along in our little corner, but it helped pass the time and ignore the sore feet. Then it was over… we had our beer and stood around laughing and relaxing…

But on a more serious note. We won’t be able to go anywhere tomorrow. Chef had to get some health checks made and won’t be able to take us anywhere tomorrow. He is okay but things still need to be taken care of, so please pray for him that he is back up and around in no time with all good results received.