It is a cool Monday afternoon. Time is moving slow today… some rest and relaxation after the busy weekend. Autumn is creeping into Wettenbostel as the leaves are changing color and there is a chill in the air. On occasion during morning walks I can see my breath. A new experience for me as I spent the past 12 years in the heat of New Orleans. In many ways it’s a refreshing change.
Wettenbostel, as you may have concluded, is a small town. It’s not even a town really, it’s a village. Hamburg is about an hour away by car. But if you live in Hamburg you have likely never heard of Wettenbostel. But here it is, tucked in among the potato and sugar beet fields. Population 57 I think is what I heard. That’s not including the neighboring sheep, horses, goats and chickens.
The Seminar Haus and Bed and Breakfast where I am visiting is run by a married couple who are both Reiki Masters. They have a house where they live just up the road. And here at the seminar house there are three buildings… the Big House, the Dojo and the Little Dojo. Dan, the other American here and myself both stay in the “Big House”. There are big expansive gardens. They are not typical German gardens with neat beds all in a row. They are flourishing and original, just like the gardener.
The Seminar Haus has a flavor and culture of its own nestled in this little world of Wettenbostel. It has been here for I think 30 years and over the years it has seen creative summer camps, Aikido workshops led by Reiki Master Paul Mitchell as well as visits and workshops led by the Grand Master of Reiki, Phyllis Lei Furumoto. It is typical on a given weekend to be hosting seminars such as yoga retreats, Gestalt Therapy training, and even drumming circles. There are many people who feel connected to this place and its extended family is far-reaching. From the friends who stop by down the road for a glass of red wine to the dozens of Reiki Maters throughout Europe, there are many unexpected faces who in some way call this place home. For the Americans out there, it’s kind of reminds me of the television show Cheers… with its array of characters… colorful, fun and sometimes unpredictable… just stopping by.
On a typical day, when there is no seminar, some things perhaps are predictable. You will likely see Dan and lately myself on the porch of the Big House… often with a nose in a book or computer. And at some point during the day Dan will get the hot tub going… affectionately called by German seminar goers as the “hot pot”… for a relaxing dip in the tub.
And today, well the sun is shining for now and there is an offering of a little blue sky. Dan as we speak is getting the hot tub ready… preparing wood and starting the fire. It’s a good day to relax. Just be as the week will unfold more work to be done. Just another day in Wettenbostel…
Gypsy Woman 
Leave a Reply