Over the past few years, Bill and I have taken to going to the Cannstatter Volksfest on Sunday afternoons.  It seems like the crowds are less obnoxious on Sundays, although there were definitely plenty of people festing yesterday afternoon.  This year, I talked Bill into wearing his kilt, since I wore my dirndl.  He was a good sport, although he was afraid he might get in trouble for wearing it.  He heard some Scotsmen wore their kilts to the Oktoberfest in Munich and were stopped at the gate because they were mooning people.  I don’t know how true that story is, especially since Munich, in particular, seems to be pretty relaxed about public nudity.  Nevertheless, he was concerned about it.  I’m happy to report that the kilt was not only acceptable, it was a big hit!

Anyway, below are some photos from yesterday’s drunkfest…  Yes, I did drink way more than I should have and some of the photos might reflect that reality.

Bill in his kilt.  He got several comments about it!

A shot of the countryside near Herrenberg.  Too bad I didn’t roll down the window.

 

We made the 12:46 train to Bad Cannstatt, which takes about 45 minutes to get to from Herrenberg.  I don’t really enjoy riding the train, but I will admit that the train makes it much easier to have fun at the Fests.  We ended up sitting with a nice family from the States.  The dad is a teacher on Patch Barracks.  I was glad to get to talk to them, since it made the travel time pass.

I managed to get a nice shot of us.  For some reason, I seem to look best in a photo if Bill is with me.

 

We arrived at the Wasen along with many others.  I managed to snap a few photos.  I wish Bill liked riding the rides.

This guy was collecting bottles.  I liked his hat.

I’ve seen it more crowded.

Let the drinking begin.

We sat in the Furstenberg tent, which I think is the same one we went to last year.  It was quite festive and there were a lot of people there, although they didn’t seem too wound up at first.  I think I got more funny pictures and videos last year.

The band was alright.

The chicken was just okay… it was a little dry.  Last week’s was better.

These guys were having fun!

I call this my Bill Cosby look.

More merrymakers!

In a world of lederhosen, wear a kilt!  One lady selling cigars came by and told Bill he looked great.

Doing the Macarena!

Head and shoulders above the rest!

Around 4:30 or so, we decided to go to the Wine tent.  To be honest, I think it was really more my speed.  It was much less crowded and there was an older crowd in there.  Instead of a full band, there were two guys playing a keyboard and guitar.

But this guy wasn’t among them.

They had fish, too!

More my speed.

We ended up sitting with a really nice German family from Calw.  It turned out the parents are from the Wiesbaden area.  They didn’t speak English, but their daughter and her husband filled them in.  I think it was the kilt that got them talking to us.  We learned that wearing Trachten to the Volksfest is actually kind of a new thing.  According to our new friends, fifteen years ago, no one dressed up for them.  Now, Germans love to put on their best Lederhosen and Dirndls!

They did a lot of dancing divinely!  I sat and drank too much wine.

Nice bar area, too.  I think I might stick with the wine tent from now on.  But then, we may not be back to the Cannstatter fest next year.

That wraps up yet another fest season for us.  We’re not the kind of people who go to it repeatedly because it’s just too much excitement.  It’s a one and done deal for us.  I don’t even remember much of the ride back to Herrenberg…  It’s probably just as well!  I think I’ll spend today recovering.