
The world’s largest and most important exhibition for the printing and media industry.
Friday
After a four year search for the furthest hotel from Dusseldorf, we arrived in the ghost town of Hann to be welcolmed by the largest electrical storm Germany has seen since 1944.
After aimless walking around the town and eating half a pig, we arrived back at the hotel to sample a selection of ghastly top shelf German liquors that Peter seemed to quite enjoy.
We then retired to our rooms where Peter enjoyed a good Nicolas Cage film and the rest of us slept.
Saturday
Early rise for dried bread and more meat and a journey with the most talented taxi driver who texted his friend for the whole 60 miles to the exhibition.
As we arrived early, we were treated to the opening Drupa theme tune - “one world, one drupa” - brilliant!
Had a demo on the new HP Indigo 7000 and very impressed. Looked at new booklet makers, folding and creasing machines but, for the rest of the show, nothing else really impressed.
A rotten lunch of more meat (unknown) and cabbage was made better by a large consumption of beer whilst sampling the musical delights of rather large men with big moustaches slapping each others’ thighs.
After quite a walk to old town (”its just round the corner”) passing some very old gothic buildings and a few rivers, we arrived to this fantastic party town.
We would explain what happened that evening but none of us can remember.

In Düsseldorf by the River Rhine

Some of Peter’s German fan club.

Not sure what to do with that whipped cream?

Clive promises he didn’t inhale.
Sunday
Back to the exhibition only to find we had to pay € 60 each for 4 hours entry (our flight was just after lunch). Rik then got trapped into a few demos of kit he wasn’t interested in and managed to waste the four hours completely.
On leaving we did stumble across the Stago stand and managed to make at least one purchase:

The Stago ESM 20 Heavy Duty Corner Rounder
UPDATE:
On returning to work, we received the following email:
Dear Mr. Hannen,
Unfortunately, Mr. Wilkens who stayed in room 211, destroyed his lampshade.
The lampshade was not anymore on the frame and Mr Wilkens forgot to inform the reception of this incident by this check out.
Therefore we have to buy a new lampshade and charge it to you. The amount would be € 25.00.
Please let us know which credit card should be charged with this amount.
Best wishes
André Hachem
assistant Manger
Nathan, of course, denies everything so we will never know.
