Ruppersdorf

For those who don't know (which included me until I arrived in the village) I spent Christmas at Ruppersdorf. Where? Well this picture should help - see three countries in one photo. Easy to work out where you are :)

Ruppersdorf is in Lower Saxony, historically an independent state and the birthplace of the Protestant religion. The village runs along a creek and therefore like most villages in the area its 5-6km long but only 1 or 2 houses wide.Ruppersdorf has two Schloss' (big houses - usually owned by the landowners of the village). The Wasserschloss is currently owned by a Christian “movement” to train missionaries and act as a centre. If you want a tour you have to book in advance and you have the option of a tour with prayer or without. From what Im told you should book without the prayer as it lasts about as long as the tour. This area of Germany is the Protestant bible belt and is a mecca for these sort of “movements”/independent churches/”crazy Christians” (irregular verb – I worship at an independent church, you are part of a Christian movement, he/she belongs to a cult).