Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Düsseldorf and Schloss Benrath, June 10-11, 2017

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:
Our dear friends and office companions the Markles


Friends gather - Elder Kay, Sister Steineckert, Sister and Elder Snapp, and Sister Markle

Elder Snapp, Sister Markle, Elder Steineckert with the cool folding seat, and Janet


Reflecting pool in the back
Lots of water and pathways
Our sweet friends Elder Jerry and Sister Dawnelle Mumm

A warm day - backside of the palace. Yes, it's pink
Janet's shirt matched the palace exterior - pretty in pink.
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.

Typical baroque interior decoration
Stairs used by servants
The purple stuff was some kind of weird modern art installation





Silk on the walls
The 18th century was not a comfortable kind of clothes era

Okay, the gnomes were just funny

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.


18th century clock with elaborate decoration

Detail of the clock decoration
Grand salon



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

Many doorways have these oils above them

One of the palace owners


The shadow looks like a crack. 
Lunch fare
Germans love "Spiegeleier" - fried eggs, and of course, fried potatoes

Schnitzel mit Pommes Frites!
A few concert photos
As you can see, the venue was full. The hall was sponsored by Toyota - yes, they sell branding in Germany, too

Sister Mumm and Sister Stoddard

Elder and Sister Snapp, Sister and Elder Nielsen, and Sister Markle
Piano Guys with Scottish pipers who were part of the show
One picture from church Sunday morning
Sister Markle with Sister Shelley

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