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| Lovely grounds at Benrath |
June 10, 2017, we went to Düsseldorf for a visit and to spend the night. We attended a concert by The Piano Guys in a large venue, but during the day we visited a baroque palace called Benrath. It is set in an enormous park with beautiful gardens and grounds. A large lake is in front of the palace. It was built over 45 years ending in 1770 and is grandly ornate.
The concert was amazing. The venue was packed - Germans apparently love these guys. There was a fairly large group of senior missionaries attending, including President and Sister Stoddard. Janet and I talked to people around us, and they were intrigued that there was a Mormon connection. Generally they did not know and just had seen the videos of Stephen Sharp Nelson and Jon Schmidt on Youtube. I gave someone next to me a pass along card.
After the show, we were given backstage passes to meet the guys, and that was fun. A young woman named Sylvia Nassauer whom Greg Jarrard baptized was introduced to the gospel through the Youtube videos and subsequent correspondence with Stephen Nelson. All of the LDS people who are part of Piano Guys came to sacrament meeting in the Düsseldorf Ward the following morning, and we chatted on the street afterward as they were waiting for their transportation (we had to head back to Frankfurt as well). What genuine, nice people they were.
Following are pictures from the Schloss (palace) and more:
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| Our dear friends and office companions the Markles |
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| Friends gather - Elder Kay, Sister Steineckert, Sister and Elder Snapp, and Sister Markle |
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| Elder Snapp, Sister Markle, Elder Steineckert with the cool folding seat, and Janet |
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| Reflecting pool in the back |
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| Lots of water and pathways |
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| Our sweet friends Elder Jerry and Sister Dawnelle Mumm |
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| A warm day - backside of the palace. Yes, it's pink |
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| Janet's shirt matched the palace exterior - pretty in pink. |
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| The lake and the front of the palace seem to be ideal for wedding photos |
A few more shots of the grounds
Some interior shots.
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| Typical baroque interior decoration |
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| Stairs used by servants |
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| The purple stuff was some kind of weird modern art installation |
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| Silk on the walls |
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| The 18th century was not a comfortable kind of clothes era |
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| Okay, the gnomes were just funny |
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| We saw this type of paper theater in other places. It was a fad for a while and faded, but they can be very elaborate. |
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| 18th century clock with elaborate decoration |
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| Detail of the clock decoration |
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| Grand salon |
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| Pink was apparently popular because red dyes and paints were hard to get and expensive - a way to display your power and wealth to otherss |
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| Many doorways have these oils above them |
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| One of the palace owners |
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| The shadow looks like a crack. |
Lunch fare
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| Germans love "Spiegeleier" - fried eggs, and of course, fried potatoes |
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| Schnitzel mit Pommes Frites! |
A few concert photos
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| As you can see, the venue was full. The hall was sponsored by Toyota - yes, they sell branding in Germany, too |
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| Sister Mumm and Sister Stoddard |
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| Elder and Sister Snapp, Sister and Elder Nielsen, and Sister Markle |
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| Piano Guys with Scottish pipers who were part of the show |
One picture from church Sunday morning
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| Sister Markle with Sister Shelley |
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