just john

Which means Spring Festival. Also called a Volks Fest. The different names tell me it's just another excuse to drink beer, of which I highly approve. At any rate, I went to the Fruhlings Fest here in Stuttgart which runs about four weeks. For a frame of reference, picture the Anderson County Fair with much newer rides, a giant tent filled with benches for beer drinking, and much less trash (both kinds). It was explained to me as a smaller version of October Fest but at a different time of year, city, and fewer tourists...AKA, excuse to drink beer. I went with a work colleague who had a table reservation for us and she also had a spare ticket for me: 2 beers, 1/2 a fried chicken, and a German roll. The beers came in Krugs, which is just a glass mug, holding 1 liter.

Please reflect upon that last sentence. minimum suggested and encouraged level of participation is 2 liters of beer. German, 5.5% - 6.5% beer. By the second hour, the entire hall was standing on there benches dancing to a live medley of classic German drinking songs such as "Shout" (Animal House version), "Do You Love Me," and "Summer of 69." I was sorely tempted to shout "Play Freebird." The duck dance song was no where to be heard. Surely you can see, as has been clearly outlined, that I had a good time.

Fortunately, none of us expats had thought to bring extra cash and no one was able to buy a third (liter) of beer. Spirits were high and it might've happened in spite of it being Thursday. I think I am scheduled to go back with some other co-workers next week.

For the sake of reference, 1 liter of beer has 1000 calories.