Spent the opening Saturday at the Bräurosl with some people who I see there most years (although less of the old-timers are there every year, which is sad. Partly because it's getting harder to get into the tents, I suspect.).
We were waiting at the wrong door (the side-doors didn't get opened until much later - anyone else finding this annoying? Wouldn't be all that hard to put signs on the doors to say which ones will be opened at 09:00...), but got spotted in the queue by a waitress I know, so not only got to jump the queue and be seated at a good table, but also got to bypass the security check and get our breakfast in.
As Katrina said, we coincidentally ended up at the best table in the tent to see the goings-on across the road at the
Schottenhamel, the parade, and the arrival of the band and the Heide family just before midday.
Yesterday at the Schottenhamel with the TT crew, a similar fiasco with the doors at 09:00. But hats off to the masterful plan of those who walked through the staff entrance, pretended to be conducting an inspection/tour, and grabbed six good tables for the rest of us. Very different atmosphere yesterday in the morning - cold, quiet, tent mostly empty, and everyone looking like they would rather have had a little more sleep. But things started warming up, especially with the arrival of the band at 11:00, and a few hours later we were all flying/jumping/swimming along. Headed out later (must have been about 4:00 or 5:00) for some rides - first time I've been on them! Won't be the last time, though - they were excellent.
Now I'm out of town for the week - probably for the best. Back on Friday, though!