♫Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds…
Masquerade! Take your fill – let the spectacle astound you.♪
As soon as Claudia and Anne were inside CHF and I went inside too. We left our coats in the wardrobe and went up the stairs. CHF spotted Claudia before I did. She wanted to have her picture taken with Claudia and Anne. And afterwards she took mine. I apologised for my cold hand that was around Claudia waist, but I don’t think she heard or understood me. The others made sure we knew where they were and by the time I got a drink I had no idea where CHF was. It didn’t matter. It was fun to be there.
The place wasn’t all that big. At the entrance was a long rectangle bar where you could get drinks. There were a few high tables and bar stools near the bar. On the right was a VIP aria with comfortable chairs, but I don’t know how on earth you could have a conversation there with the loud music that was playing. Further down the room on the right was the aria for the DJ. On the left, for what I could see, was another VIP aria. A few meters in front of the bar was the dance floor. You had to go down some stairs to get there. All the way up front was the stage where the group photo of the actors was taken. I think there was another bar there to the left, but I’m not really sure.
You've all seen CHF pictures from Anne and Claudia when they were waiting there and it is true. Especially in the beginning you would never seen one without the other.
Two very unclear pictures, but you catch my drift...
Around 22.45 hours episode 3333 started on a large screen above the stage. The sound was horrible. It was out of sync and not loud enough for me to understand what they were saying. It was amazing though to watch this episode with so many people on a large screen with all the actors there. I especially liked the shot from above when Gregor and Luise were dancing. Very romantic. This was also the first time I noticed the new music they used for their storyline. I have to admit that I was also a little bit disappointed because I read in one of the spoilers that Carla hoped for a tête a tête with Stella and this didn’t happen. I guess that just goes to show that you cannot rely on spoilers.
At some point I had my picture taken with Lars Korten and Gräffin told me that you could walk towards the stage and that they had cards there so you could ask for autographs. I asked her if she wanted to go with me and get one. She was up for it and we made our way threw the crowd. Near the stairs I suddenly spotted Xena0815 and CHF. CHF was trying to get Claudia’s attention. I was all set to stand in line, but suddenly Claudia, CHF and Anne were walking towards the VIP aria at the entrance. I don’t think we even discussed it, but suddenly Xena0815, Gräffin, Jamie and I were right behind the Claudia, Anne and CHF.
Here is a picture of Claudia who noticed that she lost Anne on the way over to the VIP aria.
As you can see in the picture CHF posted the three of them were talking and we waited. For what? I didn’t know. But the others were waiting, so so was I!
Anne always seems to know when a camera is pointed at her! (again, my apologies for the blurriness.)
At some point Anne left Claudia and CHF to talk. She walked right by me, so I asked her in my best German if I could have my picture taken with her. She agreed. She was standing next to me and her face kept coming closer to mine. By the time the picture was taken by Xena0815 our faces were touching and I had a hard time believing it was actually happening! Since I had promised some people on afterellen if I could try to find out what would happen with Stella and Carla I asked Anne in German if she spoke English. (I wasn’t going to have a conversation with her in a language I don’t speak fluently) She said, “Was?” Okay, this wasn’t working. So I tried again only this time in English, “Do you speak English?” She said yes.
The next two paragraphs contain spoilers. That is why the text was made white. If you want to read it, just select it and it should be fine.
So I told her, “The Americans made me as you when Stella and Carla will get together.” Anne laughed and said something that she couldn’t tell me. I continued, “Ahh, come on!” She laughed some more and then said that they like each other. She must have seen the look on my face because I didn’t really understand her. So she repeated and I quote, “Carla likes me and I like Carla.”
I should have asked her if she was talking about the current episodes because Stella and Carla got off on the wrong foot. Or that she meant the episodes they were filming and which will be aired in two or three months. I have no idea. I’m sorry.
Since we were speaking in English Anne asked me where I was from. I told her Holland and pointed in Jeltje54’s direction when I added, “So is she.” Anne was a little amazed that we were there. I told her that she had a pretty big following on youtube. This surprised her even more. “But I only just started!” Then she continued, “I still have a lot to learn.” To which I could only reply, “The only way is up.” With which I meant that she could only do better with practice. (this wasn’t the time or place to say anything about her acting.)
During this conversation Xena0815 took some pictures that I’ll never upload anywhere. Just imagine me with a huge grin on my face the whole time and you wouldn’t be far off! The conversation lasted about a minute. Maybe two. Over the loud music it was hard to say anything and other people wanted her attention too.
Best picture:
Did I mention that the woman is GORGEOUS! Whenever she laughs or smiles she has this flicker in her eyes that is very appealing. Seriously, she could probably talk a beggar out of giving up his last dime for one smile from her mouth! She was warm, kind and very approachable. She genuinely seemed to have a good time!
When Anne left it didn’t take long before we had our group photo take with Claudia. That was basically what we all wanted. We talked a little, but soon returned to the hotel.
Sunday February 15th.
As you can imagine I was too excited to sleep for very long. My beef with a pillow didn’t help matters either. We were supposed to meet at the hotel around 11.00 hours, but I was early. I had parked my car in an aria for fire trucks and could only hope to not get a ticket. The others were still having breakfast and I joined the lovely conversations.
I think it was around 10.30 hours that everybody was ready and we would leave. We said our goodbyes and Jeltje54 and I drove out of Dusseldorf. Tired but pleased, I was headed home. The masquerade and the road trip came to an end.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank CHF, Xena0815, Jeltje54, Jamie und die “wahre” Gräffin for a magnificent weekend. For being so welcoming and always explaining words I didn’t understand. Valentines Day will forever remind me of a great weekend in Dusseldorf with wonderful people and meeting Anne and Claudia! Thank you all. I really appreciated it!