I abhor big crowds and am prone to anxiety attacks when in situations where I feel I can't get out. Did that stop me from being on the Champs Elysees for the finale of the Tour de France with my huge cycling fan husband? Nope. I just sucked it up and did my best to focus on every cool/fun/interesting/distracting thing I could, and enjoyed how much he enjoyed it. Do I want to do it again? No way. Am I glad I did it? Absolutely! We have some great memories of that day, and I know he really appreciated me making the effort to support his dreams.

We go to Bavaria often. My husband was stationed at the Nato school and we have friends that are still there. We have always been treated well and hold no ill feelings. My Dad suffered for years from his battle wounds but most of them were caused by the ignorance of our Generals making them do suicide jumps at low altitudes with no regard for the paratroopers involved.
Having said that we have had some of our best times in the Beer halls with other Germans. They always sit with you, share a table and between our bad German and their English manage to laugh and have a great time. We love the German beer, helles is my fav and the food at the beer halls is very good. Augustiner has great food and their tent is a fun one but must say Hofbrauhaus is always my favorite at Oktoberfest.