Volks Festival

During my last trip to Europe I spent a day wandering around the Volksfest in Stuttgart, Germany. The “People’s Festival” is an annual event that proceeds the better known Oktoberfest in Munich. I arrived early on an unseasonably warm autumn day and parked the rental car for the day between the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Volksfest.

I began my day at the Mercedes-Benz Museum learning about the evolution of the automotive industry in Germany. From the first Mercedes, named for the purchaser’s daughter, through the “German Economic Miracle”, I marveled at the innovation and engineering. After several hours of looking at cars, listening to the audio guide and watching historical videos, I gained new insights into these industrious, hard working people.

I walked several kilometers to Volksfest and found myself in a huge carnival complete with 2 Ferris Wheels and every kind of spinning, accelerating and dropping contraption imaginable. Being content with walking and people watching, I explored until hunger prompted me to stop at one of the many beer pavilions that popularize these historical festivals.

I was hoping that I could find something obviously vegetarian but the only option seemed to be table service and menus. The waiter did not speak english but he got some help from a nearby table. I soon bought a round for my new friends who helped me order and spent several hours exchanging stories and toasting world peace. Unfortunately I had to leave early to catch a plane but we exchanged facebooks and pix. All in all it was a wonderful day.

Click here to see the rest of my pictures from Stuttgart.

Bon Voyage, Jay