Monday, September 30, 2013

Sad but pleasant weekend in Duesseldorf / Germany

In the afternoon of Thursday July 4. I received a black-edged letter from Duesseldorf. I immediately knew that someone from family Gloystein had died. It was Jean Garrick Gloystein, the dear wife of my longtime friend Peter, whom I know since 1968. I was also a very good friend with Jean since their honeymoon to Finland in 1972. She always was a very hospitable house wife, when I did visit them during the years in their different homes in Hamburg, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Bremen and Duesseldorf. The address on the letter was not quite correct, and it had needed some extra days to reach me. I learned that the funeral service was already next day at 1pm. I immediately called Finnair to get an early flight to Duesseldorf. The morning flight was fully booked except one seat in business class. I then called Peter expressing my condolence and informing my arrival. He had reserved a small hotel in the neighborhood for their guests, and that there were a room for me too. After I had changed in the Hotel "Hanseat" I went to Gloystein's, where already whole family and many friends were ready for transport to a small chapel. It was a very emotional service in German and in English as the half of audience were Jean's family members and friends from England. Afterwards Peter offered a fantastic feast at restaurant "Alte Rheinfähre". In a happy mood we all remembered Jean, who must have been looking down very satisfied at all of us round 120 persons. In my company sat five German ladies, and I did have a super time. Later then in a nice restaurant near our hotel I joined Jean's brother, his wife and some other friends from England, who all knew me, even we had never met before. We had all the time during these four days I stayed in Duesseldorf a very beautiful weather, a lot of beers and wines in always diminishing group of guests. A special experience on Monday was a visit to the local TV-tower with awesome views to Rhine and surrounding areas. Late that afternoon Peter brought me to the airport. A sad but happy weekend!

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