Loccum

A couple of weeks ago I participated in a class, which was held over an intensive weekend. The class was in Loccum, a site of an old monastery. Today, it is an educational institute owned by the church in Hanover. The evenings afforded time for exploring and since the sun stays out until almost 11:00pm we could do so in daylight. The property was gorgeous with a forest of trails running throughout. After the sunset the fireflies (which are called "glow worms" in German, and might be my favorite German word) came out in hords, and when walking through the forest with little green lights flashing around, one would have thought fairies really existed.

The monastery from across the pasture.

A closer view

Loccum is along a pilgram's route and there is an entire building on the premises set aside for those on their journey to sleep in. This monument symbolizes this significance, being made of three pillers to represent the trinity and an upward spiral pointing towards heaven.

In the evening we attended "hora", which is essentially latin for a daily prayer service. Since we were such a small group we sat in the choir. I always feel so priveledged and like I'm some place I'm not supposed to be allowed when I get the opportunity to go into the choir area of the church.

An old barn soaking up the evening sun