The first problem came with finding the damn entrance to the parking lots. The festival website was less than specific. So, while it only took us twenty minutes to get to the lake, it took us another twenty minutes just to find a place to park. Not because it was crowded, but just because we were slightly...lost.
Finally, we found some parking. Didn't really realize how far it was from the entrance of the festival, but that's ok, because my leg needs the exercise. Plus, it was a lovely day (maybe 70 degrees at the most, and partly cloudy).
But then we realized that there just weren't a whole lot of people around...it was 2pm by this time, so you'd think there would be plenty of people around.
Well, not in Germany. Apparently their festivals don't start til way later than I think they should be open. (Just call me Ms. Snobby American) Josh and I are convinced we read on the website that the boat races started at 2pm. Whelp, no, they didn't start til 4pm. Actually, we were able to walk into the festival grounds without paying, because the ticket people weren't even there yet.
This would be us, waiting for the biergarten to open. One of us a little more patiently than the other.
Well, eventually things started picking up. Vendors started opening, people started trickling in. Ya know how standard fair food in the States is stuff like cotton candy and corn dogs? None of that stuff at this festival. Here in Germany, they serve things like waffles, crepes, homemade pizza (actual Italian-style pizza), and 50 different kinds of sausages. I had to fit in with the locals, so I was forced to get a waffle covered with Nutella & a cut up banana. That, and a couple of large beers...
FINALLY, the races start. Little did I know that dragon races are the most boring boat races ever. Unless you're at the finish line, you have no clue who wins. And it takes about 35 seconds for the race to start, and finish. They did several of them, but it was several minutes in between each 35 second race. WOOHOO!!
Really, I think it's just one of those things that no one cares about unless you have someone actually participating in the race.
But, there were also live music pavilions set up around the lake, and the Aycocks are nothing if not music lovers. Lucky for us, we sat next to the pavilion where the geriatric couple with matching keyboards sang Abba and Los Lobos songs. Excellent.
So, we're sitting there, listening to 70s music as interpreted by the German couple with matching haircuts, watching the most unexciting races ever, and chowing down on waffles and beer. Then all of a sudden, I see something strange out of the corner of my eye...but I'm not really paying attention to it, so I just ignore. I turn to Josh, who has the most horrified expression on his face. I have never seen this look on another person.
"Courtney, if you have ever loved me, you will NOT TURN AROUND. Trust me trust me trust me trust me, do not turn around. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT TURN AROUND!!!"
Normally, that's exactly how to make a person turn around. But his face was frightening, so I listened. I also heard a collective groan coming from other people sitting near us. Apparently the lady sitting behind me had chosen that moment to stand up and puke, right in front of my poor husband...and right behind me.
Talk about a good time.
