Shit Happens (Oktoberfest and Embassies)

Tom was very sick when I woke up! Poor guy had caught a bad cold from one of his millions of couchsurfers at his house in the past couple weeks. Dingo was out at one of the tents, so after hanging out for a bit with a sick Tom I went out to meet up with the aussie in one of the beer tents. I found them easier than I thought, and proceeded to participate in the madness!!








this went on from 2 in the afternoon till at least 11pm. I was drunk. I caught the U-bahn home somehow and talked to Tom for a bit before passing out on the floor.

Now the next few days I am going to run through all together because many were horrible and I don't feel like drawing it out. Basically at the 'fest I was told that I only have 90 days total in this "Schengen" zone, and that I will be overstaying when I go meet my parents in Italy. I was freaked and spent all the next day hung over researching this on the internet. There is no consistency on the internet, and most of the articles were from 2007, so it just confused me more. I freaked out more, and decided to catch a ride up with Dingo to Berlin to go to the Candadian Embassy to ask about my options. Dingo was insisting there was a bridging visa I could get to make things fine until after my parents leave. The Embassy seemed to think there was a visa thing too, and wrote the German name for it on a paper and told me to go to a German town hall. I went to one just in time but they told me to go to another office that does those specific visas. They were closed until monday. I was supposed to take a train from Munich on the wednesday, so that was really pushing it. Floh called the office in Munich early on Friday since the Munic office was open on Friday... They said it shouldn't be a problem and to come in on Monday in the morning. I spent a last day in Berlin with Floh, went out to an excellent CS meet up/bar night on the Friday with him...



...and left Berlin yet again on Saturday in another rideshare.

I arrived back in Munich and this time went to meet up with Tom and Jimmi at Oktoberfest instead of moping around. I would have gone nuts sitting around at the apartment, but I was feeling physically ill from stress and didn't drink. We went to the river and watched fire performers which was soothing. Reminded me of home a lot. It got cold though so eventually we went to Tom's.



The next day I hung out with Ali and and got my scarf and computer foot back. We met at Oktoberfest on it's last day, walked around, then went to the city center since Ali hadn't seen it. It was dead because of the 'fest, but it was nice! We grabbed a coffee, hung out, and then I went home to sleep early since the next day I had to go to that office.

I went in super early. I was the first one in an office. I was told there was no visa available to me since I was now already just over my 90 limit by four days (three of which were waiting for the office to be open!). This was very bad news! I started crying a lot asking what I could do to see my parents. The guy said I just had to leave and then I could come back for another 90 days. I was so surprised I didn't believe him. I wanted to see that law. He kept insisting that it's recent but it's the law; that I can leave and come back the same day and I can get another 90 days. I was supposed to be in Italy in three days. I was still crying and he offered to let me talk to his boss, which I did. The boss re-affirmed that I was allowed another consecutive 90 days, and that the law was only a couple months old so it was very new and printed the section off for me (in German). I left in shock. I went back to the house and cancelled my train, bought a ticket to London Stansted and back the next morning. I had asked the boss if I would have problems with immigration with this new law... what if people didn't know? He said I shouldn't have any problem because it's law. Everyone should know. Well I went to Stansted and had to wait for two hours because UK Immigration did NOT know abou the change, and didn't want to let me into the UK if I am going to get refused in Italy and get sent back to them. They tried calling the airport in Italy to see if they would let me in, and after not finding any information, they said they were going to "take a gamble" for me and for them and let me in for the night. They said it was a risk and they hoped not to see me there the next day. I was terrified. I cried the entire bus ride and for a few hours after arriving at Anne's. We went out for dinner and she had me feeling a whole lot better. I had a stamp saying I was allowed into the UK for six months so she assumed that I could just come back to her house worst case scenario. "Shit happens. Nothing you can do now so there isn't much point worrying about it now. You would just come back here".

The next morning I had to take a cab to the bus station since I was leaving so early. I saw two foxes on the cab ride there, which was amazing! I thought it was a good omen on the cab there. I arrived in Treviso and the woman stamping passports smiled, stamped, gave passport back, and smiled. Not a word was spoken except thanks... the whole process took maybe 30 seconds and it was all over.

They stamped the Italy entrance stamp on the same two page spread with my first entry stamp (France from the Eurostar to Brussels), my exit stamp (Munich), and UK stamp, so they either knew and it was fine, or they just didn't pay attention, or they didn't care. I don't know. I was shaking from happiness and relief! I found my bag on the carosel right away which was nice. The bus to Padova was easy to find too, and oohhhhhh man I could feel my heart soaring on that bus ride the whole way!!!! I was going to see my parents for the first time in almost nine months! I was reset!!

Upon reflection of this mess, everyone I dealt with were pleasant and polite to me. Nobody ever made me feel like I was stupid (other than myself); not like the assholes at the USA border did when I was on those buses. The laws here change so often, and I think it's hard to keep all countries informed and up to date all the time... I learned that yes flying by the seat of my pants has been an amazing way to travel, but it doesn't always make things stress free. Sometimes planning and research actually gets rid of stressful situations, and even though everything worked out fine I absorbed what lessons I could.

It also made me realize some other things. I coudn't help but be aware what/who I was thinking about first when faced with the idea of difficulties going back in. You get three guesses.

Back to Munich for Oktoberfest

I woke up early as I was supposed to... I was partially packed already from the night before, minus the bag I left at Michel's of course. I arranged to meet him at his house on the way to the S-bahn, so I had my cereal and took off to Kreutzberg with Floh. I was catching a ride from a far away station, so Floh was coming with me only until Kreutzberg. We got my bag, and ended up being early to catch my train up to the meeting spot.
We walked and hung out in a park for a little while. I was tired and sore so I didn't want to walk far, but I felt too stupid to make hanging out in the park very entertaining. I was not feeling good in general - It was that feeling like you don't think you are showing your best side to someone. I hate that. I can't be interesting all the time, but back home I've known most of my friends for years and years... I know they've seen me at my best and worst and they are still there, so I don't worry about it so much. This retard Leanne moment was rather ill timed since it was probably the last time I'd see this person for quite a while; I was not what you would call happy.

I went to the station and had to spend about another hour waiting for the person to show up. There were three other girls going in this van. One was this fancy dressed up old woman with a rolling suitcase. The other two were younger and had their significant others waiting there with them making out most of the time. I was sitting there on the stairs alone not having the best of times. I fell asleep in the van and arrived in Munich in a sad mood. Tom was out at the river, but had left the keys hidden for me. I wasn't feeling like going over to meet people at the river, so I showered and went to bed early. I was ready to get pissed at Oktoberfest.

A Filmed Exit and Mitfahrgelegenheit to Prague

Well I was woken up by the film crew. They let me sleep but asked if they could film me getting up which I mumbled a response to.

I had less than five hours sleep and was now going to be on Bavarian Public Television. Weeeeeee.

The girl from Quebec was Tom's next surfer and she showed up then too! Full house!

They interviewed me and Tom on the porch eating breakfast. I ended up having to eat three breads to keep in consistent for filming haha. I was very full and full of tea after this. They wanted footage of us outside doing stuff too, but I had to get my stuff ready for Prague so they filmed that too. I looked up my addresses, directions, phone numbers needed, packed up all my stuff, washed, and then once everything was packed they filmed us leaving. They also filmed the next surfer faking coming in haha.

There was enough time to see some stuff before catching my rideshare, so we got ice cream, looked at a pole



then the TV crew drove us to a big castle type thing that I hadn't seen yet so I took some photos and they filmed us walking around.







They drove me back to where I was catching my ride out, and Tom waited with me until the guy showed up!

YES you can see the video haha. If it doesn't work try using flash player. It will be interesting to figure it out because it is all in German. You can kind of tell I look haggard in this lol.

http://www.br-online.de/bayerisches-fernsehen/suedwild/sendungsfilm-talk-des-tages-dienstag-ID1250665628185.xml

The trip to Prague was interesting... again I was the only fluent English speaker; there were two others as well that were catching a ride and they mostly spoke czech or german the whole way up. I fell asleep for a fair amount of it.

When I arrived the driver gave me a couple euros in czech money and I paid him for the ride... he showed me which tram to take to get to my host's house which was nice, and which direction to go in! I found the place no problem!

Kate let me in and I immediately liked her place. It was cozy! and clean!

We made tea and sandwiches and chatted for quite a while - by the time I thought about going to it was already ten pm and I decided to have a nice chilled night in. There were a couple other people there as well - one of them left that night and one arrived a bit later, but it was all calmness there :) I had a really good sleep!

Hunting for Crafts and River Isar

I went to the wrong station looking for the craft store... I ended up walking around for AGES trying to find this thing!! No one knew of any craft store in the area and the station was massive. After enough loops and frustration I finally found out from a bookstore girl that I was at the wrong place. I took the U-bahn a couple stops and boom found it no problem.

It was way too expensive though, and it didn't really have everything I was looking for! I left empty handed...

By now it was evening, and there was a meeting that night at the BBQ place again for CS. I had found a ride to Prague for the next day, and a host, so this was going to be my last night in Munich! I went to English Gardens for the last time since it was so pretty. I lay on the grass by the river and read for a little while.

I guarded a woman's bike and clothes as she went for a dip in the river, and had a nice conversation with her. She was from Stuttgart originally, and we talked about Munich. The stereotype that Germans are conservative is not really true at all! People had been very friendly during my whole trip here!

I tried to find the BBQ spot that we were at last time, but I failed quite badly. Again I ended up lost for over 45 minutes and eventually called someone and I was six minutes away. That was after a lot of walking. At least I was walking in the right direction! YIkes!

Someone came and met me on a bridge. I was fed wine out of a mug and some food! I chatted away and eventually my host showed up and some people from the last BBQ. The hula hoops came out, the beer flowed, the party happened. Here are some silly drunk photos.

A girl was there from Quebec! She brought maple syrup candy from Canada! Yummm














I don't know..






I was leaving the next day though, so we made sure we had a way back! We got a ride back which was very nice! Tom's brother was still awake though so we watched some laser stuff on the projector for a while... then it was 6am.

There was a film crew coming the next day to film, plus I had to pack all my stuff up.... it was going to be an interesting day tomorrow!

Visit With Sahar :)

I was wandering a little on this day as well, but with more purpose.

I found my backpack patch, a postcard, and a coffee shop. I was going to do some typing but their internet was broken... I had my book though so I sat down and read for a while :)

The time flew by, and soon enough I was supposed to be meeting Sahar, a girl I met in Galway (see the Connemara post etc, and I still had to buy deodorant! I was a little late because of that errand :(

We went for dinner, walked around the city, enjoyed more coffee, and went to a traditional beer hall! It was massive!

We shared a litre of beer, and yes I am not holding it properly I know. I was taught how to hold the glass afterwards :)


After this it was getting late. Sahar lives in Eching not in Munich and had to take a train back out to her place, so she showed me where a craft store was near the main station and we went our separate ways!

I arrived back home and finally met Tom's twin brother. They do not look like twins at all! I had met Tom's older brother at the BBQ, and his younger one at the film studio, and now it was complete I had met them all. We hung out, and I showed them
How I Met Your Mother I believe.... We had some hookah and hung out for a while. It was quite fun!

Sunday Sightseeing

The next day started a bit slow from the night before, but I still got out into the city before three!











Most things were closed on Sunday, so I couldn't really go into very many places, plus the tourist office was even closed! I wandered and of course got lost. I don't really mind getting lost as long as I don't have to be anywhere for a specific time :)

There was nowhere I had to be, so I was happy to just wander :)

I believe the evening consisted of Slumdog Millionaire on the projector... which was fantastic :D it was a nice chill evening after a crazy one the night before.

Riding FALCOR and English Gardens

Soooooo today was Bavaria Film Studio day. I had been told by a couchsurfer that the Neverending Story was filmed in Germany, and they had Falcor and a couple things from the movie at this studio... you could even ride Falcor the dragon!!

I, of course, freaked out and put out a post that I am going to this place and if anyone wants to come then they can.

I was not expecting such a response, but at least six people were claiming they wanted to come out so that was cool!

I was not expecting to get all drunk the night before though, so while all these other people were discussing times and such I was almost late for my own excursion. Luckily I was able to down some food and water and painkillers and get out the door just in time. We were not that late whew!

The English speaking tour had just left and were nice enough to wait for us. We absorbed an Aussie also named Tom, and a girl named Viola I believe. The four of us found the rest of the crew already on the tour!

A few of us ended up being famous! They needed volunteers to help make a movie so they put Tom, Viola, and me in costumes and had us read lines. This was to be cut into a clip that would be shown later on!

I saw a set from the German movie "Der Baader Meinhof Komplex" which I had on my computer from Montreal (watched it fully in Belfast)! Most of the movie had been filmed on locations, but this wasn't possible for the prison so I got to go into the prison area from the movie...

There were quite a few sets and things we went through, but then we got to the one I was so excited for....

The Neverending Story!!!

The oracles were SO SMALL!









When they asked for volunteers to ride the dragon, I was the only one that shot their hand up going memememememe!

they took two little kids then as well (who were obviously too young to have seen the movie) and we all sat there while they did the blue screen demo. I was happy as you can see haha.

After the tour, we all took a tram back and went to get picnic food to go to English Gardens. Some left to go home first, so we met up after getting food at the University and went to find a spot to eat.

It was Saturday, and it was hot, so the place was PACKED! The park had a nude sunbathing area, people laying everywhere, people with guitars, slackline



the river was moving quite fast in some parts, and this I found funny:



the gigantic watermelon


there was a dam under a bridge that created a standing wave, so there are constantly people surfing back and forth on it... it's mesmerizing, I could watch for ages...




It was cool! Eventually it was time to meet with couchsurfers for a bbq on the river. We got some food from the store and headed out to this enormous bbq land... it was right on the river, sort of IN the river sometimes. It was essentially pebble islands and beach along a big river... with fire EVERYWHERE! there were fire spinners, bbqs dotted alllll over the place... tiki torches, little fires....

here is walking over the bridge:


and a tiki torch!


We hopped between the couchsurfing BBQ and this adjacent birthday one that was yelling songs most of the time. Eventually Tom and I went back to the U-Bahn but we had missed the last one by ten minutes! We could either take a taxi or wait for two or so hours before the first one started running at 4:22am.

I was feeling awake and so was Tom, so we went to the beach but closer to the station. We came across some music, and some Thai people. Most were in their late 40s or 50s, and it was one of their birthdays too.

We talked to the Thai people (quite a few were drunk) they gave us the spiciest thing I have ever tasted (it was good though once there was rice to dilute the EXTREME spice. They were playing Thai music on a little stereo, and had a little prayer flag tree thing, which was for their Buddhist Temple in Munich. We got to put a flag on :)

It was an amazing experience hanging out on the beach with these people, it was like being in another world - a few of them were asleep and I think they were going to all fall asleep on the beach. They were so friendly though and invited us to come to the Buddhist Temple the next day!

The time flew by in the little candle-lit sea of Thai people so fast that we even missed the tram at 420, we caught the 5am one home and went to sleep!