Oktoberfest Parade - The Daddies

Part of the opening weekend of Oktoberfest is a large parade filled with brewery floats pulled by horses, marching bands, and men with rifles. It's a time for the Bavarian pageantry to shine. The parade participants include young and old... and The Daddies:

Leather shorts, weaponry, and hats with big plumes, what more could you ask for?

I'm a sucker for a big plume - and handle bar mustache!

I'm pretty sure this is Donald Sutherland:

Yea, I know. I'll say it for you. He reminds me of Colonel Klink too:

In Bavaria, you're never to old to show bare knees.

Another celebrity, Sebastian Cabot (aka Mr. French), from TV's "Family Affair":

Siggns of Foood

As an American tourist, signs in a foreign language half-translated into English is often a welcome thing ("whew, I can sorta read that"). And it can be pretty damned funny.

Take this for example. If your sushi bar "suks", why would you advertise it? Maybe it's due to the naked people inside? I'm assuming that's what "nudeln" are (ok, I really know, but I'm not telling).
Seems the sushi competition is fierce in Amsterdam. This place serves up any and all animals found in a zoo. Why else would it be called "Zushi"?

I didn't know Mexican had 2 a's in it. Well, maybe Amsterdam-born Tio Pepe didn't know either? Just glad the option of tortilllllaas and enchillllaadas was available so far from home.

Obviously this sign was MEANT to be funny. And it kinda was.

Not sure what's "easy" about this place's Japanese. Maybe the meals come with a happy ending?

Travelator

What do you call an escalator that doesn't provide flat steps, but rather one long 45-degree angle sloped standing surface?

In Ireland, they call it a "Travelator" of course.
Good luck holding onto your child. Or anything with wheels. Or certain adults with balancing issues and a history of falling on escalators face down and getting stuck.

Just... good luck. It's all I'm sayin.

Popeye Coffee Shop

I'm pretty sure the folks over at King Features wouldn't be thrilled to know that good old Popeye has had more than spinach in his can all these years.

"I yam what I yam", a big pot smoker!

The Lizzard King

While I was in awe at the psychedelic colors of this store front window in Amsterdam, I'm sure it's real intent was to freak out an unsavory 18-year-olds wanting to score a joint!

"And Don't Fuck Around!"

Creepiest Dolls in Europe

I've seen lots of creepy dolls but these guys have to take the cake. It's one thing to have a Barbie-like doll where the head and body just isn't quite right. It's another thing to have full frontal baby nudity, holding his own johnson or giving everyone the bird. Amsterdam is fun!

Not to be outdone by the naked boys above, this little Dutch girl gives me the heebe jeebes. What's with the one black hand? An homage to Michael Jackson gone horribly wrong?

And here's here nearest relative - Black-Face Betty:

Men of Oktoberfest - Part 4

I talked to these 2 chaps. They weren't a couple, but used to be. The fellow on the right invited us to a Bear Party the following day in another tent. Needless-to-say, we never made it.

Again, from across the isle I motioned for a snap, and these guys obliged a pose:

Oktoberfest isn't always pretty... and neither are these two:


The group hug, "I Love You Man!"

Men of Oktoberfest - Part 3

The "local" guys were having a great time posing... for anyone:
A bit of a close talker and close drinker, but still worth it:

Drunk Aussies:

Checking out men, checking out someone else, always fun:

Heidi nearly got in the way of this snap, but there's a cute smile in there:

Men of Oktoberfest - Part 2

I kid you not. I saw these 2 lads across the isle. I pointed to them, then my camera. Instead of turning away, they posed: Then they turned around and didn't see me take a picture of their asses:

This guy seemed so elegant in his expensive looking Bavarian coat. Must have been looking for his reserved seat. Oh and I love his glasses!
Drunk farm boys:
Yep. Bier kicked in. Tongues were a wagging!

Men of Oktoberfest - Part 1

Oktoberfest is a funny thing. The morning starts out with lots of people taking pictures, but if a person notices a camera pointed their way, they move. As the day rolls on and the bier flows freely, you can't get people OUT of your lens. The day turns into "Oktoberfest Gone Wild". I'm going to post some random snaps.

Little blondie's backside:
Big boys = Big biers:
These boys in the reserved seats saw my lens pointed their way:

Having a chat, "Damn, when are they going to start serving bier?" :

Was nice to see some "flavor" in the tents: