Who needs sleep when you've got schnitzel?

My return to Munich was remarkably similar to my first night there. No place to stay, no plan, nobody there who knows me. Oktoberfest was of course the ideal temporary remedy to all of these problems.

27 - man, woman, lion

After another evening appreciating German culture, I found my way back to my beloved train station. Wanting to mix it up this time, I eschewed another night in "Chez Toilet" for more upscale accommodations at "Back Corner of the 24 Hour Internet Café Suites". Not getting a whole lot of sleep, I did however manage to clear my 150-message-behind Gmail inbox.

The next morning began my day exploring Munich. The rain didn't slow me down, it only made me wet. Being fairly tired from the previous evening, I sought to find a dry patch of earth to take a well-deserved nap. It's actually a lot harder that you'd think when it's raining. My closest approach to success was at a large church. Figuring this could be a hospitable locale, I waited until no one was looking and then dove under a pew to curl up at catch some Zs. That did me well for all of 10 minutes before the priest found me and gently but firmly led me back out into the rain. So much for sanctuary, huh?

28 - finish it!

I was all set to take a bike tour of the city when I ran into Shanna and Jane, the 2 Aussies from my first night in Munich. Delighted to find each other again, we instead set out exploring and museum-ing. I pretended to know things about Mesopotamian pottery.

All cultured and ready for more, we were drawn back to Oktoberfest like moths to a liter-sized light. We met more Germans, I tried to buy lederhosen off a dude, and laughed until it was time for them to head off to London and me to get back to my train station base of operations. We swore we'd meet again in London.

My overnight train to Berlin was not scheduled until late late night so I had several hours to kill. Deciding a nap was in order, I found a nook near the Burger King, set my alarm, and hazily tried to nap. I should explain that I was not looking my best at that moment: not showering or shaving since leaving America, spending days walking miles in the rain, and just my general ruffian look left me, especially clad in my beanie and hoodie, like I was shipped straight from Telegraph & Haste. Germans, I found, are much nicer than kids at Berkeley though. Soon after I reclined into my nook with my backpack on, a man stopped as he walked by me, rummaged for a moment, and tossed me a 2 Euro coin. Dude! Now I can buy some foo... oh, wait a minute ... a second man a few minutes later stopped as he walked by, in mid-bite into his half-eaten Whopper. Stopped short, put the Whopper back in the bag, set it on the ground, and kicked it over to me. Sweet! If only I had a soda and some frie... oh, wait a minute ... I had momentarily fallen asleep clutching the BK bag when I was awakened by something insistently being shoved in my face. Gaining my bearings as quickly as I could, I found a teenage girl kneeling beside me. Looking downwards, I noticed her hand pushing crispy golden french fries into my mouth. Grudgingly accepting her delicious but odd gift, she then took it as a cue to take my head, tilt it back, open her 12-ounce bottle, and pour Coca-Cola down the hatch as well. Being somewhat disturbed but not wanting to seem ungrateful, I swallowed as best I could until she tired of me and went along her way.

29 - here's looking at you

Soon it was time to wipe off my face and board my train where I could finally get some rest. Right?

Moral of the story: Finding a place to stay is hell, but food and coins rain like manna from the heavens in Munich.

30 - scarecrow jane

31 - oktoberfest table

32 - jane drink

33 - jane hurting

34 - jane done