Denver Botanical Gardens
Thursday, November 20, 2014
The food of the Camino
Monday, November 10, 2014
To the Sea
Three days of walking since the Nov. 6th post. We are finally done walking. We stood in the ocean waters last evening after a beautiful, long walk on Sunday. It has now rained every day in the month of November! But on Sunday the heavy rains hit us in the morning, allowing our clothes to dry as we walked in the afternoon sun. What a wonderful finish. We identified with the men from the Lewis and Clark expedition of whom Clark said,
"appear much Satisfied with their trip beholding with estonishment the high waves dashing against the rocks and this emmense ocean." (Nov 18, 1805)
If our math is correct, we have traveled about 550 miles in 44 days. We rest in Finisterre today, with plans to get on a bus Tuesday morning to begin our travels home. It will be the first vehicle we've been in since September 26.
We will have two or three posts after we return to Denver. We hope to share some thoughts about food and crowds along the Way, the religious/spiritual nature of the Camino, and finally some of our personal reflections concerning the trip.
A few more pictures.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Wednesday was a great day to be in Santiago!
With a walk of only a few miles, we were at the Pilgrim Office when they opened at 10am. Our Compostela Certificates are dated November 5, exactly 40 days after we left St. Jean. Forty days is a long time. We've been taught that, when seen in scripture, it represents a long time. Now we know from experience, it is a long time.
We were blessed to be at the cathedral on this day. There was a pilgrim who walked the Camino with her father during the last few weeks. His birthday is November 5, this year being his 75th. They planned their trip so that they would arrive on that day. As a birthday present she arranged for the botafumeiro to swing on this day (this can be done for a certain "donation"). All of the attendees were able to share in this birthday present, including us!
The swinging of this large incense burner is an ancient tradition, but normally only done on special days in modern times. Legend says it was used in the old days to help mask the smell of the hundreds of pilgrims who had walked for weeks without proper cleanliness.
We had several other errands to get done in Santiago, so had a busy day, finishing it with a great meal at Casa Manolo. This is a great little restaurant about 4 blocks behind the cathedral, right on the Camino as it comes down the hill. We highly recommend it.
As we have planned all along, we are continuing to the coast. The rain is also continuing, but it lightened to more of a mist for today. We are in Negreira tonight, planning to share a supper of homemade vegetable soup with a couple of other walkers.
Monday, November 3, 2014
The Rain has Returned
It was October 16th when the last hard rain hit us. It was a great two weeks of wonderful weather. After yesterday and today, it seems a distant memory. Steady rain yesterday, and very heavy rain today. We are on schedule to arrive in Santiago on Wednesday morning. Last night we stayed in Arzua and we are now in Pedrouzo.
We continue the walk with thoughts on our family in the States. Our troubles are minor. Their sorrow is great. We send our love to Houston and Iowa.
We do have three pictures to share.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Unique sightings along the Camino
On Thursday we walked about 19 miles, we don't intend to do that again soon! We stayed in Gonzar, a very small town with more dairy cattle than people. Friday we made it to Palas de Rei (Palace of King). Today we did a fairly short day to the decent size town of Melide. The refuge for tonight is very new and quite nice.
We've recently seen a few items we know to be unique to northern Spain. First is the half-moon ox cart wheels. These were common in ancient cultures around the world. The uniqueness is that for some reason the spoked wheel never caught on here until very recently.
Second is the very common "horreo". It is used to store corn, having a flat, elevated base to prevent access by rodents. Almost every farm house has one in the backyard, near the house.
Third is the Cross of St. James. It's has the shape of a cross, but also the characteristics of a sword. This design is related to the Spanish tradition that St. James was instrumental in helping to drive the Africans out of the Iberian penninsula nearly 1000 years ago. Legend says that he reincarnated in some fashion at a particularly important battle, leading on a white horse, weilding a huge sword.
One other notable incident. We met an elderly farmer taking his several cows to pasture. He stopped Ruth and asked (in Spanish) if she was going all the way to Santiago. She said "Si". He then gave her the small gift of three fresh walnuts and ask her to pray for him and his wife when she got there (we think that is what he asked). She did her best to assure him that she would do this. His name is Dunicio and his wife is Castora, if any of you would like to offer a prayer for them.
Here are a few pictures.