On April 21, the calendar year 2020 officially reached Mariana Trench depths when the Lord Mayor of Munich declared that Oktoberfest 2020 has been cancelled.
To be honest, it comes as no surprise, and in some ways the news brings relief that at least a decision is made this early in the year. Now we can turn our attention to other travel possibilities in 2020. I think the best we can hope for is the return to some normalcy with access to restaurants and bars in the cities. And come on, who wouldn’t rate that as some kind of success at this point? That is at least my hope and why I will hold onto my flight tickets to Munich for the first weekend of October. If I can still throw down a few Maß in a German beer hall in 2020, I would be thrilled.
If there is a bright side to all of this, it is the fact that I am sure I don’t fit into my lederhosen anymore. I either need to stop working out or stop drinking beer. Since I don’t plan on choosing either, it looks like an upgrade is necessary. Ok there are other bright sides, such as how the Earth and atmosphere seem to be thriving from the reduction in pollution. Belgium has suddenly become like the south of France for almost 2 months. If I ponder what changes to society will happen when the virus threat is over, one of them is hoping that the concept of hundreds of people shuffling off to work every day just to sit at desks or in meeting rooms within a single company becomes a thing of the past. Clearly this exercise we are going thru has taught us how wonderful and powerful technology is. But I have completely digressed.
So what is left to hope for in 2020 in Europe for the wanderlusters? German Christmas Markets? I wouldn’t bank on it actually. Frankly, all I need are all the borders between Belgium and Switzerland to be open. I can’t tell you how immensely ecstatic I would be to have that by the middle of July. Otherwise, this year will be about having a simple life, reminiscing and reflection, and preparing for the overflow of appreciation the next time a barmaid sees my hand signal and glides over to my table, pen and paper ready, like an angel from heaven.
itsabrewtifulworld 
Was planning on heading rebook our flight to Europe in November…not sure we will be able to.🤔
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I have to imagine you could still manage to have an amazing time depending on where you are going. Already in May, some restrictions will be lifted. I think Northern Europe will probably have less restrictions than Southern. Spain, for example, is in bad shape right now. I imagine some sites will reopen by the end of the year with strict crowd control. We will see. Other than Munich, I will plan to just head to the mountains however I can.
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We were booked for Portugal…a place we have been …and Romania …a country I wanted to add my Country Collection list…hoping we will be clear to go.
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I am sorry to hear that. Maybe an idea to organize a beerfest at home 🍻😁 ( without a too small lederhosen 😂) I know, it’s not the same…😄😉
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Nope ..I have beerfests every night already 🤣🤣
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Always wanted to go to Munich for the Oktoberfest but couldn’t manage it workwise. 4 of us decided to go once we all retired. The 4th retired a few months back so we were all set!!! Best laid plans……etc!!! Ah well … we’ll get there some day 🍺🍺🍺
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So sad! Our local fish fry was canceled- and the kids at the school where I teach were devastated. Sometimes it feels like we lose so much that even the small things are heartbreaking. I’m so sorry about Oktoberfest- that’s no small fish fry!
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