Bergkirchweih (and World Cup Madness)

2-12 June 06

It was Bergkirchweih, though only a week long, it was the beginning of over a month of beer drinking social events due to the following World Cup Madness...

Bergkirchweih is a local beer fest held in the forest of Erlangen and not far from Nuernberg. The beer kellers are set up on the side of the hill with cool beer storage dug into the hillside. Tables were set up in front, fest food (wurst, half chickens, pretzels, etc...) on sale, and bands played at the various stages. We took trains up and back for evenings of fun, always listening to the great band at Entler's Keller. Sometimes Miranda took dire action to be sure to save her favorite table (see sign in picture). Here you can see us standing on the beer tables (required) and singing. If you look really hard, you can see my tonsils! Kath is really proud of her beer mug!

You can see David and Shields in their USA world cup attire (Shields still at funfest downtown and Dave at Bergkirchweih). The USA-Czech game was the same evening as the closing night of Bergfest. Many of us Americans, and our supporters gathered downtown to watch the game. Needless to say, after our humiliating loss, we thought beer might be in order to drown our sorrows. Expecting to get booed in our red, white and blue, we were delighted with all the supporting words. Don't look now, but I think that is Miranda (a Brit) holding my American flag...

After the Bergkirchweih closed, you could find this international group (Brit, American, German, French, Spanish, Venezuelian, Irish, etc...) gathered in front of big screen televisions to cheer our favorite footfall (soccer to you Americans) teams.

Sure wish you'd been there for the fun!!

-Tiffany