Barnett Vicarious Adventures: Saturday, July 2, 2011 Wuppertal/Dusseldorf Germany

Back at the Art Fabrik Hotel in Wuppertal, Germany and another unique room.

The bed is in an alcove, there is a kitchen with a stove and electric hot water kettle but no dishes, silverware, glasses. The room does have a bottle of water and 2 very small glasses and 2 bottles of orange juice (room temperature). We assumed the kitchen was the “art” in the room.

We did have a very a large bathroom (it took 2 pictures to get it) with a sauna in it. The sauna was “art” again as it did not work. The shower was up 2 steps up behind the tub then it was a large step down into the shower. We had to be extremely careful getting into and out of the shower. I was so afraid I would slip dealing with the water and steps.

A very unusual room but it was very roomy and we liked having the “art” all around us.

This is at the buffet area at breakfast. When you go to get the food you step in an area that is a scale!!! Everyone will know how much you weigh. It does make you think about how much food you put on your plate.

Schwebebahn – Monorail in Wuppertal, Germany is over 100 years old. They operate a variety of old and new cars on the 8.3 mile long line.

Edward and Ortrun on the monorail

Views out the window. It goes mostly over the river but also goes above some of the streets.

Edward and Elaine at the Schwebebahn

We all met at Horst and Ortrun’s friends house, Heinz and Irmela. Heinz is a fast car enthusiast and in the garage was a Ford Shelby!! This is just one of his cars.

So the 6 of us all get in his Dodge Ram Crew Cab “Texan” Truck with V12 Hemi engine (monster truck that he uses to haul his BMW Race Car) and then we headed out for Dusseldorf which is about 30 minutes away.

The truck is loaded with all the tables, chairs, food, drinks, dishes, etc. Nothing was left out.

Check the temperature in the truck, 17 C, that is 63 F, and we saw these kids in a pool. I assume it was heated but who knows.

Tonight we are going to a Symphony Orchestra Concert/Synchronized Fireworks and Dancing Water Show and Candlelight Picnic Dinner at the Castle in Dusseldorf Germany, Schloss Benrath. The orchestra played from 9:00 pm to midnight. There was choreographed music with the lighting and fireworks. It was absolutely amazing. The “picnic” was all set up with all kinds of wonderful food, wine and Champagne, oops, Prosecco (Italian sparking wine). The table was set with a table cloth, china dishes, crystal champagne and wine glasses and a big candelabra with the lighted candles. We were not the only ones doing this – it was the WHOLE area in the castle gardens and around the pool - thousands of people.

We had a great time and appreciate Heinz and Irmela Schmersal, including us with their family and friends – Philip (their son) and his wife, Barbara and daughter, Hannah; their daughter, Nina, her friend, Cormel and her son, Finn; friends Martina and Manfred Rossach, Horst and Ortrun and, of course, us.