Every year, millions of people around the world don lederhosen and tap into their German side for Oktoberfest, and no where is the month-long beer festival bigger than at its place of origin-Munich. From opening day in September to closing ceremonies, the first weekend in October, the constant flow of tourists is matched only by the constant flow of beer.

If you are coming to Oktoberfest, plan early, and stay late. Every hotel and hostel in the area is booked several months in advance. For those not lucky enough to find a room, a campsite is set up at the old Olympic horse stadium where visitors can rent four-person tents. Although a towel may be the most important tool for inter-galactic hitchhiking, a sleeping bag is a good idea for camping in Munich where the temperature can dip down to 20 degrees at night in September. If, however, you can't afford to carry the extra bulk, I can tell you from experience that several layers of clothing and a flannel blanket can be enough to survive.

The seating in beer tents also books several months in advance, but some tents designate non-reservation tables that fill up early in the day. Each tent is owned by a different brewery and has a unique character. My friends and I chose the Hippodrom tent owned by the Spaten brewery. Covered in red and green streamers and carousel horses, it looked like a giant Christmas package had exploded. Beer in the tents is served by the liter. Traditional German food is also served, and for an alternative to beer, try the Coke-Fanta combination.

We sat down early at a non-reservation table with a group of Germans from Hanover. We spent hours talking and using napkins to help us communicate. By the end of the day, the napkins were covered in everything from hand-drawn maps of the United States and Germany to words like "sway" and "chug". Get to know some Germans at Oktoberfest. Everyone we talked to was open and friendly. Otherwise, you may as well be at a fair in Arkansas.

Mornings in the tents are rather subdued as the volume level is kept down for the wealthier patrons dining on the second level. Things liven up in the afternoon when the band begins to play. Before the music begins, every member of the band chugs a liter of beer. The band played everything from traditional songs to 70s German pop hits.

I don't think I'll ever hear anything funnier than a beer tent full of Germans singing John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads." By the evening, even the second level has lightened up, and there is dancing on the tables.

Outside the beer tents, stands of food and souvenirs line the streets. A four-loop roller coaster is set up, and the free-fall ride offers a spectacular view of the city before the drop.

Munich has a lot to offer outside of the fairgrounds as well. The bell tower of St. Paul's provides a bird's-eye-view of the festival, and there is a beautiful old area of town to explore in the Marienplatz. Whether you prefer a frat party atmosphere or a stroll in the park, during Oktoberfest there is something for everyone.

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