Final Oktoberfest Wrap-up

Well, at least for know it appears we will keep this Blog in place. The winter months are traditionally slow anyway, so I will reevaluate the need in the spring.

Some interesting 2022 facts:

1. Our band of brothers (and one sister) had a great time. Lots of day trips.

2. Attendance was done from 2019. Everyone thought it would be crazy because of the two cancellations, but no. I even said on each of our visits how slow it seemed. Official estimates say 6.3m people in 2019 with 5.7m people in 2022.

3. Hotel Alfa is struggling. Hope Anton can keep things going. He has lost a lot (most?) of his business travel, which makes tourist/leisure travel so important.

4. Nothing better than a Doner after several Maß of bier.

Here's a quickie for you at our Hacker Tent reservation......

Proof that Designated Walker attended...

Has this Blog run its course?

We introduced this Blog in 2005 to communicate about our passion for Oktoberfest and München. It was the best way for a global audience to stay in touch and encouraged others to participate. But has the Blog outlived its usefulness?

I could detail many statistics, but this year, with a full-on Bier Immersion assault, we have only seen 34 individual posts (in 2005 we had almost 10x that many, not to mention the comments). This is the least since 2015 which was a non-trip year. In addition, there was not even one post from the front lines during this year’s visit. Have other means of communication surpassed the Blog’s utility? Have we just lost interest in frivolity as we approach our later years? Even some of our core members do not post, do not comment, and may not even read any longer.

So, the simple question is, do we terminate the blog?

As the unofficial Official Blog Meister, I welcome your input. 

 

It is official a new word for drinking before 12:00

Frühschoppen (meaning: an alcoholic drink before midday in company) is the German and Austrian tradition to meet up at a pub, inn or tavern in the late morning (usually on Sundays). The specific customs vary from region to region. Frühschoppen is often a kind of brunch, but does not necessarily involve food. Frühschoppen is also often held at fun fairs, the most famous being Oktoberfest or Cannstatter Volksfest.

In Lower Bavaria and most of Upper Bavaria, Frühschoppen is understood to be a specific kind of brunch consisting of Weisswurst, sweet mustard, pretzels, and Weissbier (an unfiltered wheat beer). The Bavarian Frühschoppen began in rural areas and has originally taken place on Sundays in a tavern at the regulars' table (Stammtisch). During Frühschoppen, folk may discuss everyday life and politics. In the corner of the tavern or festival tent (Festzelt) there is typically a band playing Volksmusik. (Nowadays some places have pop, rock, and jazz bands.)

In many other regions of Germany, Frühschoppen is understood more generally to be a gathering in a pub on Sunday morning, traditionally held after church service. This usually includes the consumption of alcoholic beverages, but not necessarily that of a meal. With the decline of church attendance in Germany this tradition has become somewhat less common, but is still held up in many places, especially in rural areas.

Oktoberfest starts!

 After over 1000 days,  we have Oktoberfest again!

https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/magazine/oktoberfest-news/2022/it-was-a-wonderful-first-day-of-oktoberfest

Rumour has it....

 The team is in Berlin!

Not that we will have any kiddie bier

 John is not with us so no coors light with a lime.  But it would be nice to see him! 

Radler (German for "cyclist") has a long history in German-speaking regions. It commonly consists of a 50:50 mixture of beer and sparkling lemonade. The origin of the name is lost to time, but is presumed to relate to the popularity of cycling and the need for a refreshing, less-alcoholic beverage on the journey.

In northern Germany, a half-and-half made of Pilsner beer and lemon soda is known as an Alster (short for Alsterwasser, German for "Water from the river Alster", a river in Hamburg).

In southern Germany, a mix of Weißbier and lemon soda is called a "Russ'" (Russian).

The invention of Radler has been widely attributed to the Munich innkeeper Franz Xaver Kugler in 1922. However the combination of beer and lemonade is documented in texts dating from 1912. Nowadays, Radler is drunk not only in Bavaria, but also in all of Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland, Netherlands, and Romania.

In Austria, it is common to use Almdudler instead of lemon soda for the Radler.

During the summer months, Radler is very popular due to its reputation of being a thirst-quencher.

In New Zealand, the names 'reldar' (Radler spelled backwards) and "Cyclist" (the literal meaning of Radler) are used because a large corporation has controversially trademarked the word Radler. It was trademarked by DB Breweries for their "Monteith's Radler" beer, which is a citrus-flavoured, full-strength (5%) beer.

#germany

Near Bamberg

 The Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers (German: Basilika Vierzehnheiligen) is a church located near the town of Bad Staffelstein near Bamberg, in Bavaria, southern Germany. The late Baroque-Rococo basilica, designed by Balthasar Neumann, was constructed between 1743 and 1772. It is dedicated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers, a group of saints venerated together in the Catholic Church, especially in Germany at the time of the Black Death.

The Basilica overlooks the river Main in Franconia. It sits on a hillside, and on the hillside opposite is Schloss Banz, a former Baroque abbey. Together they are known as the Goldene Pforte or golden portal, an entryway to the historic Franconian towns of Coburg, Kronach, Kulmbach and Bayreuth.

On 24 September 1445, Hermann Leicht, the young shepherd of a nearby Franciscan monastery, saw a crying child in a field that belonged to the nearby Cistercian monastery of Langheim. As he bent down to pick up the child, it abruptly disappeared. A short time later, the child reappeared in the same spot. This time, two candles were burning next to it. In June 1446, the Leicht saw the child a third time. This time, the child bore a red cross on its chest and was accompanied by thirteen other children. The child said: "We are the fourteen helpers and wish to erect a chapel here, where we can rest. If you will be our servant, we will be yours!" Shortly after, Leicht saw two burning candles descending to this spot. It is alleged that miraculous healings soon began, through the intervention of the fourteen saints.

The Cistercian brothers to whom the land belonged erected a chapel, which immediately attracted pilgrims. An altar was consecrated as early as 1448. Pilgrimages to the Vierzehnheiligen continue to the present day between May and October.

The central scene of the unobstructed and towering high altar is a lager-than-life painting showing the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The statues depict her spouse Joseph, her father Joachim, and David and Zachariah.

Yee Ha! They’re Paying Us!

 

Let the hike begin!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber/ Bavaria/Germany

The Röder Tower in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. From here you can take in great views of the old quarter, and the tower is also a central starting point for Rothenburg's Tower Trail.

A Nice Review

 Weizenbier or Hefeweizen, in the southern parts of Bavaria usually called Weissbier (literally "white beer", but the name is believed to come from Weizenbier ("wheat beer"), which is how it is still called in some regions), is a Bavarian beer in which a significant proportion of malted barley is replaced with malted wheat. By German law, weissbiers brewed in Germany must be top-fermented. Specialized strains of yeast are used which produce overtones of banana and clove as by-products of fermentation. Weissbier is so called because it was, at the time of its inception, paler in color than Munich brown beer. It is well known throughout Germany, though better known as weizen ("wheat") outside Bavaria. The terms Hefeweizen ("yeast wheat") or Hefeweissbier refer to wheat beer in its traditional, unfiltered form. The term Kristallweizen (crystal wheat), or kristall weiss (crystal white beer), refers to a wheat beer that is filtered to remove the yeast from suspension. Additionally, the filtration process removes wheat proteins present in the beer which contribute to its cloudy appearance.

The Hefeweizen style is particularly noted for its low hop bitterness (about 15 IBUs) and relatively high carbonation (approaching four volumes), considered important to balance the beer's relatively malty sweetness. Another balancing flavor note unique to Hefeweizen beer is its phenolic character; its signature phenol is 4-vinyl guaiacol, a metabolite of ferulic acid, the result of fermentation by top-fermenting yeast appropriate for the style. Hefeweizen's phenolic character has been described as "clove" and "medicinal" ("Band-aid") but also smoky. Other more typical but less assertive flavour notes produced by Weissbier yeast include "banana" (amyl acetate), "bubble gum", and sometimes "vanilla" (vanillin).

Weissbier is available in a number of other forms including Dunkelweizen (dark wheat) and Weizenstarkbier (strong wheat beer), commonly referred to as Weizenbock. The dark wheat varieties are made with darker, more highly kilned malts (both wheat and barley). The Weizenbocks typically have a much higher alcohol content than their lighter cousins.

The three major brands in Germany are Erdinger, Paulaner and Franziskaner. Other renowned brands are Weihenstephaner, Schneider, Maisel and Andechser. Regional brands in Bavaria are Hopf, Unertl, Ayinger, Schweiger and Plank. The style is currently consumed throughout Germany, but is especially popular in Bavaria.

A long read but worth it…

 Everything you might ever want to know about the numbers related to Oktoberfest.

New Oktoberfest branding and logo

 Munich is introducing new branding and a new ongoing logo for the Oktoberfest.

Updates to Oktoberfest History page

 Updated and new Gallery photos from 2021!

I know I say this,  but I really wish I was going this year.  Oy!  Are Barbus and Schlumberger Lady making an appearance this year?  Maybe making a swing by when you are on the northern part of your trip?

Paging Barley Man…..

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

Give yourself a nice gift today and make some flight reservations to Germany. Flying Dan has half a double room available.

Also, if you survive the day, please update your web site with this year’s attendee list:

Chugger
Designated Walker
Flying Dan
Dopplebock

Barley Man ???

 Team Oktoberfest, at this rate they will be paying us to drink their fine German Bier!!  Prost.  

1 Euro equals

1.02 United States Dollar

Jul 6, 11:06 PM UTC · Disclaimer

		Afghan AfghaniAlbanian LekAlgerian DinarAngolan KwanzaArgentine PesoArmenian DramAruban FlorinAustralian DollarAzerbaijani ManatBahamian DollarBahraini DinarBajan dollarBangladeshi TakaBelarusian RubleBelize DollarBermudan DollarBhutan currencyBolivian BolivianoBosnia-Herzegovina Convertible MarkBotswanan PulaBrazilian RealBrunei DollarBulgarian LevBurundian FrancCFP FrancCambodian rielCanadian DollarCape Verdean EscudoCayman Islands DollarCentral African CFA francChilean PesoChilean Unit of Account (UF)Chinese YuanChinese Yuan (offshore)Colombian PesoComorian francCongolese FrancCosta Rican ColónCroatian KunaCuban PesoCzech KorunaDanish KroneDjiboutian FrancDominican PesoEast Caribbean DollarEgyptian PoundEthiopian BirrEuroFijian DollarGambian dalasiGeorgian LariGhanaian CediGuatemalan QuetzalGuinean FrancGuyanaese DollarHaitian GourdeHonduran LempiraHong Kong DollarHungarian ForintIcelandic KrónaIndian RupeeIndonesian RupiahIranian RialIraqi DinarIsraeli New ShekelJamaican DollarJapanese YenJordanian DinarKazakhstani TengeKenyan ShillingKuwaiti DinarKyrgystani SomLaotian KipLebanese poundLesotho lotiLiberian DollarLibyan DinarMacanese PatacaMacedonian DenarMalagasy AriaryMalawian KwachaMalaysian RinggitMaldivian RufiyaaMauritanian Ouguiya (1973–2017)Mauritian RupeeMexican PesoMoldovan LeuMoroccan DirhamMozambican meticalMyanmar KyatNamibian dollarNepalese RupeeNetherlands Antillean GuilderNew Taiwan dollarNew Zealand DollarNicaraguan CórdobaNigerian NairaNorwegian KroneOmani RialPakistani RupeePanamanian BalboaPapua New Guinean KinaParaguayan GuaraniPhilippine pesoPoland złotyPound sterlingQatari RialRomanian LeuRussian RubleRwandan francSalvadoran ColónSaudi RiyalSerbian DinarSeychellois RupeeSierra Leonean LeoneSingapore DollarSolSolomon Islands DollarSomali ShillingSouth African RandSouth Korean wonSovereign BolivarSri Lankan RupeeSudanese poundSurinamese DollarSwazi LilangeniSwedish KronaSwiss FrancTajikistani SomoniTanzanian ShillingThai BahtTongan PaʻangaTrinidad & Tobago DollarTunisian DinarTurkish liraTurkmenistani manatUgandan ShillingUkrainian hryvniaUnited Arab Emirates DirhamUnited States DollarUruguayan PesoUzbekistani SomVietnamese dongWest African CFA francYemeni RialZambian Kwacha
		Afghan AfghaniAlbanian LekAlgerian DinarAngolan KwanzaArgentine PesoArmenian DramAruban FlorinAustralian DollarAzerbaijani ManatBahamian DollarBahraini DinarBajan dollarBangladeshi TakaBelarusian RubleBelize DollarBermudan DollarBhutan currencyBolivian BolivianoBosnia-Herzegovina Convertible MarkBotswanan PulaBrazilian RealBrunei DollarBulgarian LevBurundian FrancCFP FrancCambodian rielCanadian DollarCape Verdean EscudoCayman Islands DollarCentral African CFA francChilean PesoChilean Unit of Account (UF)Chinese YuanChinese Yuan (offshore)Colombian PesoComorian francCongolese FrancCosta Rican ColónCroatian KunaCuban PesoCzech KorunaDanish KroneDjiboutian FrancDominican PesoEast Caribbean DollarEgyptian PoundEthiopian BirrEuroFijian DollarGambian dalasiGeorgian LariGhanaian CediGuatemalan QuetzalGuinean FrancGuyanaese DollarHaitian GourdeHonduran LempiraHong Kong DollarHungarian ForintIcelandic KrónaIndian RupeeIndonesian RupiahIranian RialIraqi DinarIsraeli New ShekelJamaican DollarJapanese YenJordanian DinarKazakhstani TengeKenyan ShillingKuwaiti DinarKyrgystani SomLaotian KipLebanese poundLesotho lotiLiberian DollarLibyan DinarMacanese PatacaMacedonian DenarMalagasy AriaryMalawian KwachaMalaysian RinggitMaldivian RufiyaaMauritanian Ouguiya (1973–2017)Mauritian RupeeMexican PesoMoldovan LeuMoroccan DirhamMozambican meticalMyanmar KyatNamibian dollarNepalese RupeeNetherlands Antillean GuilderNew Taiwan dollarNew Zealand DollarNicaraguan CórdobaNigerian NairaNorwegian KroneOmani RialPakistani RupeePanamanian BalboaPapua New Guinean KinaParaguayan GuaraniPhilippine pesoPoland złotyPound sterlingQatari RialRomanian LeuRussian RubleRwandan francSalvadoran ColónSaudi RiyalSerbian DinarSeychellois RupeeSierra Leonean LeoneSingapore DollarSolSolomon Islands DollarSomali ShillingSouth African RandSouth Korean wonSovereign BolivarSri Lankan RupeeSudanese poundSurinamese DollarSwazi LilangeniSwedish KronaSwiss FrancTajikistani SomoniTanzanian ShillingThai BahtTongan PaʻangaTrinidad & Tobago DollarTunisian DinarTurkish liraTurkmenistani manatUgandan ShillingUkrainian hryvniaUnited Arab Emirates DirhamUnited States DollarUruguayan PesoUzbekistani SomVietnamese dongWest African CFA francYemeni RialZambian Kwacha

1D

5D

1M

1Y

5Y

Max

1.02  ‎Wed, Jul 6

1.001.051.10

Jun 17Jun 28

My Mouth is Watering

 

Yippee Yee Ha!

If you had any doubts, Oktoberfest 2022 is now truly a reality. The construction on the Wiesn has begun. Click on the live feed above to check it out.

I cannot figure out yet how to automatically start the feed. If any of you experts know, let me know.

Prost from Senj, Croatia

 Enjoying a good lager from North Croatia!

Everyone is booked!

Should have posted yesterday, but all of the intrepid travelers for this year’s trip are booked! The last holdout, Dopplebach, has booked his flights.

Well, actually, there might be yet another, but no commitment yet; Flying Dan will need to provide an update if that happens.

Beer in Croatia

 Enjoying the frosty cold beverage we have heard so much about.  

Paging the Dutch

We haven’t heard from Barbus or Schlumburger Lady in quite awhile. Hopefully if everyone comments one of them will respond.

Prost!

 Keith, I did not know that you had this many medals for Bier drinking!

The official beer price for 2022 at Oktoberfest

The price of beer at Oktoberfest 2022 will range from €12.60 to €13.80, an average of 15.77 percent more than in 2019.

While the prices have increased the exchange rate will hep us.

Read the details here.

Drinking a Maß

 

Map Fun

Hello I thoght this might be helpful before our trip.  You know me I like maps!

Some Oktoberfest News

Click here to read the latest

Oktoberfest 2022 is a Go!

Wunderbar!

The 2022 Oktoberfest will happen!

Wake Up Oktoberfestians!

The airline mask mandates have been removed (at least domestically), most mask mandates in Europe have been removed, let's just hope the next step is the testing requirements for entry into the countries. Still need to show proof of vaccination though in most places. There are still 5 more months to go and anything can happen so let's keep our proverbial fingers crossed. The next milestone is the decision to move forward with the Oktoberfest. There should be an official decision by mid-late May, but all indications are looking positive. This intrepid group of Oktoberfestians is committed to travel even if the Oktoberfest is not happening. Plenty of things to do on the Bier Immersion tour and day trips/bier gardens in München. 

Most of our planning is complete for the trip. All hotels have been reserved and most of us (hint hint Dopplebock) have our flight reservations. Committed participants include:

    Chugger
    Designated Walker
    Flying Dan
    Dopplebock

What's up with the rest of the regulars? Barley Man? Schlumberger Lady? Barbus? Einfahrt? Well, maybe Einfahrt can't be considered a regular anymore 😄  Nonetheless, it is never too late. This could be your last chance at an organized group visit to The Fatherland.

Let's begin to pick up the posting volume. Even if it is trivial, it shows you are actually interested. One key topic for discussion could be the possible venues to visit in the cities we will sample. We have limited time in a couple so thinking ahead will help.

 I got a notification Keith!

Southern France?

 While I'm still an uncommitted traveler,  is there interest France, Paris, or southern around Nice?

I haven't used this in a while.  Does it still work? 

Ok, here's the itinerary!

 Join in if you can...

UPDATED !

We are in full planning mode !

This year's group of Oktoberfestians is in full planning mode for our trip. Now it is mostly waiting, bier training, and possibly convincing non-participants to, you know, get off their arses. Travel to Europe is open (f*ck Putin), and even if, heaven forbid, the 'Fest is cancelled again, the crew plans to travel. 

A remake of 2021's plans for a Bier Immersion tour is once again in play. We will visit Berlin, Leipzig, Düsseldorf, Köln, Bamberg (day trip to Kulmbach) and then München. Chugger and Designated Walker have a pre-trip to Italy planned, as well as a post-trip to Slovenia. Flying Dan is also considering extracurricular activities. 

The following Oktoberfestians have been confirmed for the trip:

    Chugger (but of course)
    Designated Walker

    Flying Dan

    Dopplebach

Still to be heard from officially:

    Barley Man
    Barbus
    Schlumberger Lady

We welcome any and all those not mentioned to join the revelry. All hotels have been reserved and some airline reservations have been made. Start cranking up the posts, and more trip specifics will begin to emerge.

Here's a Blast From The Past...

Oktoberfest 2022 Logo / Mug / Poster Design

 Here is the winning logo for this year. Let's hope we can see it in person.....

Will Oktoberfest 2022 happen ?

 https://www.oktoberfesttours.travel/2022/02/09/will-oktoberfest-2022-happen/

Oktoberfest 2022 Logo Finalists

 Have a look at the final 30 options for this year’s logo / poster.

Hotel Alfa

Good afternoon Chugger, Just checking in to see if you have any additional updates from Anton on the status of Hotel Alfa. Thank you in advance...

A Message from Santa...

 

Final Bier Immersion Hofbrauhaus Visit

Well, we did it!

The intrepid Oktoberfestians completed our 2021 visits of all U.S. based Hofbrauhaus locations with our visit to Las Vegas this week. Three of the four core members made this visit (along with significant others) and this completes our unique challenge for this year. We hope that next year will bring on the 2022 Bier Immersion trip in Germany.

Here's the gang having dinner at the Hofbrauhaus:

Some Nostalgia for the Holiday

 

Please enjoy.

Hotel Alfa Update

I was emailing with Anton this morning just to check-in and see how things are going. It doesn't sound good for him. Here's his response to me about business.....

Dear Keith, 

nice to hear from you.

Business is still worse. No chance for a better situation up to now.

With a lot of fortune we may achieve till the end of the year 5%! from the level we had two years ago.

Not sure, how we would manage it till next April.

Till December the situation might be save.

Sad Day Flying Dan Thought I Should Share

Well these came today unfortunately when I ordered them I also found out I was going to Oktoberfest in Germany, so I sold them, then Covid hit. So..now I just get to take a picture of them and find a good German bier to drink from my couch while watching the Ryder cup on TV! 

UPDATE: I DID FIND A GOOD GERMAN BIER!

O’zapft ist Hofbrauhaus 2021

 

Hofbrauhaus September 2021

Haxe, Schnitzel, Bratkartoffel, Sauerkraut, Blaukraut.  And a Mass Beer. We’ve got the complete picture.

Wait …… who the fuck is Alice.

 

First Beer in Neurembug

BeerGartner and Barbus say hello to all Oktoberfestvisitors. Prosit!

First Evening in Bamberg

Recognize the Hotel “Alt Ringlein”. Was booked for the Immersion Trip 2021. Great place! Biergarten, Rauchbier Brauerei, Hackse and more. Munich Style. 

First Beer in Bamberg

 Greetings from Barbus, SchlumberLady, BeerGartner and BeerCap. Prosit!!!!!

Day trip...

 This place is almost to Regensburg.  About a 2 hour train ride from Munchen Hbf.

Last Nun to brew beer

Bier Immersion 2021

No answer has been provided, how many biers were consumed during the trip. Where there any accidents or injuries?

The Journey Has Ended

We have completed the circle of midwestern Hobrauhauses, with a couple extra bier venue visits. While Barley Man is absent from this picture at Hofbrauhaus Newport, he did visit during our brief recuperation in Dayton.

A Missing Oktoberfestian

On our Hofbrauhaus tour the gang is having a good time reminescing (sp?). Has anyone seen the missing Oktoberfestian in the middle?

Keith...

Sent from my iPhone. Xcuse any spulling missteaks.

Hofbrauhaus Buffalo

Highly recommended...

It has Begun. Prost

 

The Bier Immersion Trip Has Begun

Keith...

Sent from my iPhone. Xcuse any spulling missteaks.

Früh Kölsch

 Stopover on our way to Italy; Cologne! We were thinking of you.

Less than two weeks away... Questions Remain

 Less than two weeks until the trip of a lifetime..  Oktoberfest Analysts are wondering:

1.  How many beers will be drunken total during the trip?

2.  How many beers will Flyin Dan leave half full?

3.  How many times will Doppleboch say" Good god, that's horrible!"... or something to that effect.

4. Will sheep be present at Flyin Dan's farm?  Will the lambs look like Flyin Dan?  

5. How may different law enforcement jurisdictions will the crew personally encounter?

6. Sausages or Hendl?..  at some point, it won't matter.

7. Will the team stay away from discussing politics for 8 whole days???

8. In what form will Einfahrt appear,  spiritual only?

9.  Will Chugger go over Niagara Falls in a beer keg?  

10.  And the final question:  Who the fuck is Alice?

Tickets purchased, ready to go on the tour!

 It's all over,  but the fun part...  

Updated info for posterity.

Oktoberfest Trip Page

Brood X Bier Immersion Tour 2021

In honor of the 2021 immergence of the cicadas in the Midwest (and our inability to execute the original Bier Immersion Tour), the intrepid Oktoberfestians will not be beat down. We will be embarking on a tour of all the domestic Hofbräuhaus locations. In addition, we will visit two different German establishments.

The venues we will visit over an 11 day span include:

Hofbräuhaus Pittsburg
Hofbräuhaus Buffalo
Hofbräuhaus Cleveland
Hofbräuhaus Columbus
Riggs Beer Company
Hofbräuhaus St. Louis
Bavarian Bierhaus Nashville
Hofbräuhaus Newport

An optional visit will also include the Las Vegas Hofbräuhaus.

Oktoberfest 2021 Comfort Tour

For your information: Schlumberger Lady, Beer Gartner, Beer Cap and I are going on a trip to Germany from August 27 to September 5.  The trip is to Kassel, Bamberg, Nuremberg and of course Munich.  And yes we will keep you informed of our (beer and hacks) experiences via the blog.  To be continued ....

Oktoberfest 2021 Cancelled

 Oktoberfest 2021 ist kaput!

UPDATE 1-German Oktoberfest canceled again due to COVID (msn.com)

Sorry to see this happen,  but predicted.  There may be hope for a beer tour,  but things have to get a whole lot better in Europe.