Oktoberfest

Munich, Germany is the home of the largest Oktoberfest in the world. However, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada hosts the biggest Oktoberfest outside of Germany. This town is buzzing with a few hundred thousand visitors every October.

Kitchener was once called Berlin because it was settled by hard-working, industrious Germans.

Unfortunately, the name was changed after the first world war. The surrounding towns remain the same: Baden, Breslau, New Hamburg, Mannheim, Heidelberg.

Some of the original settlers to this are of Ontario were Mennonites. We still have some Mennonites who ride with horse and buggies and dress much as they did two hundred years ago.

Some do not have telephones in their homes, but now many have cell phones!

 

My cousin Marion brought me a stylish black Trachten blouse (with red gingham ruffles) from Munich which I wore during Oktoberfest. I can dress it down with jeans and dress it up with a skirt.

We went shopping in a German gift shop and Marion bought me this lovely floral tapestry jacket. Thank you my dear! She has great taste and is very fashionable.

Afterward we drove to the St Jacobs Market and enjoyed the autumnal decorations. We bought lentil noodles, apples and blueberries.

St. Jacobs Market is a fun day trip if you live an hour or so away from Kitchener/Waterloo.  Marion, Lara and I went to the market twice during their stay. Be sure to visit the charming town of St. Jacobs which will be next Friday’s post.

 ♥ carmen