Spain
Alameda Park

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    • Day 31

      The Glory inside

      June 18, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

      So I woke up and had breakfast and got to the church early for The Port of Glory. The great entrance by Master Sculptor Matteo from Galicia. He was paid a handsome sum over years by King Ferdinand to create a great portal into the cathedral that houses the remains of St. James The Greater, Apostle and martyr. The work set the tone for the sculpture used in Spanish Romanesque style, it would go on to influence Gothic works. I was not allowed to take pictures or touch anything and they only let a few people in at a time. Beautiful amazing complex work it had recently undergone extensive research and conservation, hence the limits. The tradition of touching the center support by the many faithful Peregrinos over 800 years had worn a hand hold into the stone, so this has been stopped. For a full description with pictures see here:

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portico_of_Glory

      I found the leering prophet Daniel. His head is angled differently from the others, eyes wide in a leer, it’s almost immediately noticeable. The bishop at the time followed Daniel’s eyes across the hallway to a statue of a female saint. She had been rendered with quite large breasts. Unhappy, the bishop required Master Mateo to modify the female saint to a more winsome demeanor. The local Galicians got word of the order and took offense, Master Mateo was their greatest sculptor having been called to places all over Spain to work. The Galician cheese makers decided to create a specially shaped cheese to voice the regional displeasure, and that is how Galician “titilla” (little breast) cheese came about.

      I attended Pilgrims Mass at high noon, going 90 minutes early to secure a good seat. I got word from my roof tour guide that a rare use of the botafumerio might occur then. The amazing glory of the altar cannot be understated. Incredible Baroque and Roccoco gold leaf works of an incredible and awe inspiring scale. The Angels holding up the ciborium (altar canopy) are over 30 feet tall.

      Sure enough the botafumerio flew. It’s seen more this year because The Pope declared an extension to last years holy year and due to the millions lost during the Covid-19 epidemic. It is a five foot tall incense thurible made of a brass alloy and plated with a 2 micrometer coating of silver. It weighs 80 kilogram and is suspended from the transcept by a mechanism devised and place in the early 1600s. It takes 8 deacons or talioboleiros to swing it. It has hit the cathedral ceiling, over eight stories up, 6 times and come untied twice.

      I concluded my visit with a trip down to the crypt where St. James’ relics lie. They no longer allow the public to climb behind the statue on the altar for a hug of the Apostle.
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    • Day 58

      Tag 58 Santiago

      June 28, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      Das waren die letzten Bilder von meinem Weg durch Spanien. Der Weg ist noch nicht zu Ende, ich habe nur die Richtung gewechselt und bin auf dem Weg zu meiner Kathedrale.
      Die ist aber nicht in Santiago, sondern meine Kathedrale ist meine Familie.
      Dies ist mir in einsamen Stunden klar geworden.
      Meine Zeit möchte ich lieber zusammen mit meiner Frau verbringen.
      Bei unseren Kindern, im Schwimmbad oder wo auch immer.
      Da ich diesen Weg nun gelaufen bin fällt mir die Entscheidung der Kehrtwende nicht schwer und daher ab nach Hause.
      Auf meinem Camino, auf meinem Weg, zu meiner Kathedrale.
      Euch allen allzeit einen guten Weg
      Buen Camino.
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    • Day 29

      Santiago de Compostela

      August 28, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

      Today another 27 Km and I am done! More than 800 km through Navarra, Castilla & Leon and Galicia - over the Pyrenees, through the Meseta and up the Leon mountains! Thank you a lot to my wife who made this happen! 😘
      In front of the church my Camino friend Davide waited for me and a few pilgrims friends I met on the way joined for lunch! The mess in the Cathedral was an experience when you are not catholic! Now I go to the end of the world and can’t wait to see my family again! Miss you all! 💋
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    • Day 10

      Santiago to Porto

      September 21, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

      My cosy pod. I had time for a café con leche and Tarte De Santiago before heading to the bus. We had a nice ride to Porto, and it was a short walk to the hostel.

      Instead of settling in, I decided to head out for some food and to see the cathedral (I need a stamp to start my Camino). Gelato was enough food to start. Onward to the Cathedral.Read more

    • Rest Day In Santiago

      October 5, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

      Rest day in Santiago begins… churros and chocolate! And then we met our friend, Marco Antonio, who shared a taxi with us from Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port to start. Wonderful before and after fotos for the memories. We start walking to Finnisterre tomorrow.Read more

    • Day 40

      Tag 40 - Santiago de Compostela 2

      October 21, 2022 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

      ......weitere nächtliche Impressionen und kulinarische Dinge aus Santiago.
      Bewusst mal nicht nur Kathedrale, Kirchen und Museen - es gibt auch andere Seiten dieser Stadt. Nicht uninteressanter!!!
      Das war der Abschluss des vorletzten Tages in Santiago de Compostela.
      Gute Nacht!!!
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    • Day 41

      Tag 41 - Santiago de Compostela 1

      October 22, 2022 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

      Nach einem kleinen Frühstück im Hotel bin ich wieder auf Erkundung gegangen.
      Anfänglich waren die Regenwolken mit mir versöhnlich.
      Gegen 11.00 Uhr bin ich in die Kathedrale gelaufen und habe nochmals an der Pilgermesse teilgenommen. Der Bischof selbst hat gepredigt. Er hat sich in mehreren Sprachen, darunter als erstes in deutsch, bei allen Pilgern bedankt, dass sie den Camino gelaufen, viele Strapazen auf sich genommen und damit ihren Glauben an Gott bekundet haben. Kleine Teile der Messe waren dann auch in deutsch.
      Zum Abschluss wurde dann noch der Botafumeiro geschwenkt. Die ganze Messe war ein wunderschönes Abschlusserlebnis meines Pilgerweges.
      Nach der Messe waren die Regenschleusen leider wieder geöffnet.
      Trotzdem bin ich in der Stadt noch unterwegs.
      Gerade sitze ich in der Markthalle und esse ein letztes Mal hier in Spanien Pulpo. Alle Plätze in den Gaststätten der Markthalle sind voll mit Spaniern besetzt. Ein kleiner Tisch mit einem Stuhl hat richtig auf mich gewartet. Bin nicht enttäuscht worden. Die Stimmung hier ist einfach grandios, sogar mit Gesang.
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    • Day 62

      We are here in Santiago de Compostela!

      May 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

      We are here!! And I walked in and all is very well. I had been walking so much in the towns, and going to meet the walkers…and from the beginning along the hospital corridors, so on Friday I had my first attempt at walking from Melide to Arzúa - it was a short and easy walk, and I felt just fine…so I continued and walked for the last 3 days. I am not stupid or irresponsible, and would have stopped if I had any signs of problems…but none at all, and I am so happy to have walked just a little! We went at a very relaxed pace, and it was a joy to see the beautiful countryside…

      The wifi tonight is excellent, so can catch up and not worry that it won’t upload…today’s walk was first through more beautiful tree tunnels and forests…and many many eucalyptus trees…it was almost like walking in the Australian bush, with the eucalyptus smell, sort of weird, but the trees are amazingly tall and thin, as they are planted in rows and just seem to grow up not out! After that first very pleasant sector, we went past the Santiago airport, and then along streets, and a bit of industrial area, and outer suburbs till we got into the historic centre and the cathedral. Rain and thunderstorms were predicted for later in the afternoon…we knew we were cutting it fine, but we stopped and had sustenance at several bars along the way, and got to the cathedral at about 4.20, had someone take out photo to prove it, and almost immediately it started to rain…a few drops and then torrential, with thunder and lightning!! R and R wanted to go straight into the cathedral (this was before it actually started raining) but we thought we’d head for the hotel - we are all at the same place this time - and we did, but put on ponchos and made our way through the downpour…very glad to arrive, and unwind in our room.

      Amr Is tomorrow morning going to the post office to send a parcel of stuff we won’t want, including our walking sticks which we can’t carry on to planes, back home. This will be good, to clear our bags and be lighter…so tomorrow we have the day to spend in Santiago and enjoy seeing places we remember and relax. We have just come back from a celebration dinner in a restaurant that is a serious meat place, and it was just wonderful…we thought it was familiar, and when I looked up photos of having dinner here 5 years ago with our camino friends, I could see from the decor it was the same place..! Anyway, off to bed, and we are all very happy.
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    • Day 49

      Arrivée sobre et respectueuse

      June 6, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

      Tout dépendamment tes croyances rien sur le chemin ne peut contrarier un pèlerin en rapport a ses croyances led croix du passé et les symboles n'apparaissent plus, on reconnait la
      retenue des nouvelles tendances occidentales. Le chemin depuis 2017 a été rénové pour ces raisons.

      Nous n'avons pas vu le monument de la colline de la joie car sur le chemin rénové nous y étions à l'opposé, photos au rancart une ville qui a caché son histoire et ses symboles historiques m'a surpris, la peur a envahis le politicien guidé par les moyens de pressions, heureusement le quartier qui entoure la Cathédrale a gardé de son authenticité et notre visite de demain nous je j'espère le confirmera.
      Un trafic de pèlerin plutôt modeste où on s'est imaginé le pire à un moment du parcours où tout était plein, les dernières étapes nous ont permis que le chemin se soit réduit au marcheur quotidien donc plus d'opportunités et de disponibilité dans les pensions.
      Nous sommes arrivés vers l'heure du midi et le parquet de la place de la cathédrale Saint-Jacques était au minimum.
      Un minimum de randonneurs depuis St Jean Pied De Port voilà 30 jours y sont arrivés pour l'instant quand on le compare aux nombres qui ont pris le départ.
      Avoir essayé aura été pour tous et chacun un symbole de courage et de résilience, le résultat est tellement secondaire pour ces gens de bonne volonté et des intentions tellement nobles. Ce chemin apporte à tous et chacun peut importe les limites physiques.
      La lumière aura fait son œuvre et le respect pour tous est un incontournable.
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    • Day 49

      Accomplissement à 100 %

      June 6, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

      Chemin de Compostelle 40/40
      Étape#. 33. Camino francés « O Pedrouzo à Santiago». Kilomètres parcourus 21 km. Cumulatif : 1 019,5 km, moyenne de 25,5 km par jour.

      Ça y est, « EUREKA »  C’est à 12 h 15, heure d’Espagne, que nous sommes arrivés sur le parquet de la cathédrale de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Nous avons réussi ce défi et avons terminé avec un cumulatif de : 1 020,5 kilomètres et un peu plus que 1,6 millions de pas (1 617 108).

      Nous avons bien géré nos efforts pendant ce périple car nous avons terminé en pleine forme sans aucune blessure ou ampoule.

      Une expérience extraordinaire sans stress ou nous avons pris le temps de respirer, d’observer des magnifiques paysages parfois même en voisinant les nuages. Les Pyrénées auront été une étape sérieuse et tellement belle avec ses reliefs. Nous n’avions pas du tout la forme que nous affichons aujourd’hui. Nous avons été testés à plusieurs reprises et nous n’avons jamais lâché, pas par pas, droit devant.

      D’avoir croisé autant de nationalités (21) fut aussi une super belle expérience.
      Allemagne 🇩🇪 Angleterre 🇬🇧 Australie 🇦🇺 Belgique🇧🇪 Brésil🇧🇷 Canada🇨🇦   Chine🇨🇳 Corée du Sud🇰🇵 Croatie🇭🇷 Espagne 🇪🇸 États-Unis🇺🇸 France🇫🇷  Hollande🇳🇱 Italie🇮🇹 Japon🇯🇵 Mexique🇲🇽 Portugal🇵🇹 Romanie 🇷🇴 Serbie🇭🇷 Suède🇸🇪 Taïwan🇹🇼

      Toutes ces personnes marchaient avec leur but personnel. D’autres personnes n’ont pas pu compléter, pour cause de blessure et ça, c’est crève coeur.
      Aujourd’hui,

      Pour les prochains jours nous prenons congé, c’est le temps de célébrer.

      Merci à mon vieux frère Marcello et nos amoureuses respectives qui nous ont permis ce voyage de rêve qui ce terminera dans quelques jours.

      C’est la fête là !!! 🍻🎉

      Buen Camino
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Alameda Park

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