Oktoberfeasting in Penang

Oct 27

Chillain like a villain. That's the order of the day. Breakfeasting, Pooling. Internetting. You have read those before, yes I am relaxing. Need to be careful though I read an article that in 3 weeks of beach vacation you can loose 20 IQ points if you don't use your brain at all. I'll find something to work against that.

In the afternoon Juliane and I are heading to Penang's biggest shopping mall for my island provisions. In the end we find everything but a new backpack for me. But since she fixed it up so well I won't need it anyway. Service is virtually non-existent in any of the shops. Help from the staff? Forget about it. They giving you information. Don't hold your breath. It seems they are just standing there for decoration not caring whether anyone buys anything or not. The exceptions: a Hardware store where they are outstandishly friendly and the pharmacy where they convince me the buy the most expensive anti-malarial there is. Food and coffee, shopping, what else does a girl need?

Oct 28 Oktoberfeasting

I had originally planned to leave Penang earlier but since this weekend is Oktoberfest my fellow Kufsteinis convinced me to stay and I booked the flight out Saturday only. Another relaxing day until in the evening it's Oktoberfest time. Sabine, Juliane, Martin and Basti are working as slightly paid 'volunteers' today. The girls are dresses up in Bavarian style aprons (making it appear they are wearing Dirndl and Lederhosen), hence grabbing the attention of all the Asians. They must be in thousands of pictures.

The food menu is almost entirely German, drinks are mixed with the cheaper Asian Beer and more expensive German beer served in take them home 1 l Mass'. By the time the Europeans are happily emptying their 2^nd or 3^rd masses most Asians struggle with their first. The line to get food is horrendous long. They have 10 people giving out meat but only one person to dispense side dishes and collect money. How little sense does that make? After waiting patiently I discover that the sausages are done pretty well but my Cordon Bleu tastes nothing like the real thing. But hey the atmosphere is great and that makes food automatically taste better too. Besides, all the way in Malaysia the Oktoberfest Mass is cheaper than in Munich. The desserts look great too but I am way to full already to even be thinking about it.

Drinking games, Mass carrying competition, arm wrestling. All is done to entertain the audience. And yes, 35kg Asian tinies are trying their luck in stemming 3 full Mass. Some of them can't even lift them off the table, while others are doing fairly well, considering their tiny frame and frail arms.

They have the typical beer tables that you see in Germany as well, what they lack are the wooden benches to go along with it. Only small plastic chairs – how are you supposed to dance on that? So we result in dancing on the ground only.

And there it is 'Das Kufsteinlied' at Oktoberfest in Penang, Malaysia. 5 students from Kufstein present. Feels like a bit of home. There's more classics, like the 'Ententanz' which I show to an elder Malaysian Lady how is totally fascinated. We also dance a 'Polonaise', just like in Germany. Only the guests look different and can't stomach their alcohol so well. Some need to be carried out, others are regurgitating on the sides... ah well, it's exactly like in Germany. Well done Malaysian German Society, Penang. You brought a piece of Germany here and I am loving it. When they start playing 'Fürstenfeld' that's it. Wow! I am impressed that a German band would play so many Austrian favorites. Two thumbs way up! And I love it how the Locals grove along to everything. Everyone you get to talk to now wants to visit Germany. They like the food, they like the atmosphere, they like the dances and the games as well as drinking games. I speak to a Chinese girl and she is really sad that they don't have anything like this in China. She may reconsider her choice of studying in Finland and go to Germany instead. If that's not good Marketing, I don't know what is.

Since my flight is in the morning I do head back home with the first group leaving. There's still some packing to be done. On to the next destination! Indonesia here I come!