El Camino de Santiago 2004
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As I sat on the plane ride back home, it began hitting me that the trip was over, and with that, so is this blog. Of course if people would like to continue adding content, please do. I would especially like to read what you all have to say once you get home and have had some time to ‘digest’. A warm thanks to everybody who blogged, even when tired, hungry or just not in the mood. I think that without realizing it, you have made an impression on more people than you ever imagined. Already I have received comments from parents, administrators, and even other students who want to join us next year.
Since everybody left at a different time, we didn’t really have a chance to all say our goodbyes. If I missed any of you, it was only because I was running out of time to make it to the airport. Thank you so much to all the students that came with me. Each one of you has taught me something new.
un abrazo,
annie
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Well, I guess by now everyone knows that we made it to Santiago ... all 16 of us and all walking. We have been here for a few days now, but I don´t think the journey we have just completed will really sink in until we are back in the States and reflecting on our time here.
The city of Santiago is truly amazing ... unlike any city I have seen before. It has a real mix of styles from old and historic to new and modern. The University setting is beautiful. There are lots of trees around campus and it seems almost removed from the downtown hustle and bustle that is going on only a few streets over. The area around the Cathedral has lots of stone streets with little shops and cafes ... an easy place to get lost in. The main parks are another place to wander around for many hours at a time or to just sit and rest. People here seem to really value the large parks and, as a result, they are very well maintained. Large fountains, benches, and many winding walkways can be found in any of the parks both here and in a majority of the other towns we visited along the way.
The next couple of days are the final days of our field site experience. I think everyone is anxious to go their separate ways since we have been together for so long; however, I know it will feel awkward the few days after when we are no longer together as a group. I think each of us has learned a lot about other cultures from this experience, but more importantly we have learned a lot about ourselves.
A special thanks goes out to GIEU for allowing each of us to take part in this amazing program. Afterall, like Andy has said many times along the way, Is there really any other way you would want to be spending your summer vacation?
Jessica
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Well, we made it to Santiago all in one piece and have been wandering around the town for the last couple of days. I´m sad to see that the program is almost drawing to a close and that I will have to leave España. I have had some great experiences and gotten to know some really nice people. Deborah has already mentioned it, but a few nights ago, we were listening to a group of students from the law school sing on the streets. It was the same group that had been in one of Annie´s videos last year and I recognized a few of them. Annie told one of the guys that I wanted to hear a song, even though I hadn´t said that. After a few songs, one of the members came and got me out of the crowd to come and stand in with them so that they could sing me a song. They put one of their capes around me and I had to stand there while they sang to me. I didn´t know what to do, but apparently it was all right and now I have a great story to remember.
See everybody soon,
Erin
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Hey Des-You mean to tell me you had to go all the way to Espana to eat sushi?--We love you and miss you and will see you next week-Can you believe it?-Come home safe and you know the rest-wen
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Yes, I too made it to Santiago! However, John, Jay and I trekked into St. James twice. After the 35 kilometer hike we rested our legs, but allowed our minds to run wild. Something compelled us to march the additional 10 K that night. Stumbling upon the city around 11 pm I promptly asked a hip nine year old about the night life. However, this only translated into more walking. After another hour or so of wandering around aimlessly, we hailed a taxi and threw in the towel.
The next morning as a group we once again reached santiago, but this time, the hike held much more meaning. The Abe Lincoln Brigade (machi´s name for us) reached the cathedral. Holy year, pentecost, sunday- quite the celebration.
Although a bit touristy, chok-full of shell pedalers and post card pushers, santiago has a romantic feel to it with it´s beautiful (understatement) cathedrals and winding roads. Last night I went out and sat outside a cafe-bar listening to some sweet irish-flamenco? fusion music. I watched as a man with flowers in hand came, placing the flowers in his mouth he climbed onto a window ledge and knocked on a second story balcony, waiting for his love.
Next, out of nowhere our bare-footed chilean friend Machi appeared. He shared a few laughs and gave this advice, "tonight, you celebrate, enjoy the city. perhaps after a few weeks we will know the significance of the camino" He left just as he came, sort of vanishing into the night. Perhaps that will be the last I see of him, but I will remember his words, not forcing any meaning of the camino now, but reflecting later.
hasta pronto,
patrick
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OH MY GOSH!!!! I don´t think any words could describe how I feel right now. I made it, WE made it and most importantly we made it all together... a day ahead of schedule. We deserve this. We worked really hard and we deserve this feeling of accomplishment that we ALL feel. I can´t thank the group enough for helping to overcome and at times creating struggles during these past 17 days. Everything was worth it because of the amount that we have learned. The camino is for everyone, and we have proved that los americanos can do it, and not just the minimum amount either. We went over 300 km. Now thats something to be proud of. I hoped that by doing this camino we have not only helped ourselves learn about others and being tolerant with differences, both culturally and personally, but also helped to dispell some of the negative stereotypes that people have of all Americans. And while we may have only touched a few people, hopefully the positive energy and influence we spread along the trail will not just die out. When we were younger, everyone always used to say to us, You can change the world. Well after doing this and getting to know so many peregrinos from different places, I feel that I have accomplished a baby step in changing the world and the way in which our society is seen. Well, I´m sick right now, so sleep is in order. Catch ya later after a few days in Santiago.
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Good Luck from Home to both groups tomorrow. You can do it! We will be thinking of you and sending lots of comfortable feet/ankle energy your way. Love you Des!
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¡Hola! Everything has been going pretty well. We had a surprise change in the schedule and a few of us will be walking 35km tomorrow, which means no cafe con leche before bed! It´ll be a long haul, but we´ll make it. ;) Today we are in Arzúa and we are loving it. Earlier I had some special kinds of cheeses, some good, some better than good. :) Trying to stay healthy but its hard with all the sickies on the trip. We only walked 14km today and it seemed soooooo short, partly cuz we were able to chat with our LA buddy, Sam and his compañeros. Hopefully tomorrow doesn´t kick our butts, but we´ll see how things go and take things as they come.
First thing I´m going to do when I get home is soak the feet in salts and sit in the hot tub with the most wonderful person in the entire world, and maybe afterwards we could get a huge tub of ice cream and try our best to finish it off while watching a movie and munching on Munchies. Well, I must go drink tons of water and chill out cuz the body needs to recoup. I love everyone at home. Thanks for supporting me while I´m having the tmie of my life. Hopefully this won´t be the last time I´m in Spain, and hopefully I´ll have some more special people with me next time. Lots of love. Destiny
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Hola Chicos!
We came into Arzua early this afternoon after another short day of walking - about 14 km. The trail was typical of the past few days - a few up/downhill areas, some gravel and dirt paths, and a little bit of tree cover overlying parts of the walk. The weather was fairly nice with a few clouds and cooler temperatures, similar to the weather we have seen thus far since we entered into Galicia.
Along the way, a few of us had an opportunity to talk with Sam - a young, high school biology teacher from East Los Angeles. We have passed him a few times the past couple days, but today was the first time I was introduced to him. It was interesting learning about the time he has spent in Spain trying to learn the language and also about the experiences he has had during his time in the country and on the Camino. One of the most unique experiences that I have been exposed to along the way has been the diversity of people that we have met and seen day in and day out as we continue to make our way towards Santiago.
We have run into a few difficulties in terms of securing lodging for the next couple days only because we are such a large group and as we move closer to Santiago, there is a larger number of peregrinos travelling along the way. As a result, we have divided into 2 groups. One group will travel the remaining 35 km over a two day period, while the other group will travel the same distance in 1 day and have a 1 day rest period before we meet up again as a group to arrive in Santiago. It will be challenging in many ways for both groups; however, I am confident that as we get closer to the way´s end, the anticipation we feel will override the physical hardships that have threatened our group in previous days.
Buen Camino a todos!
Jessica
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Notes from Andy:
Currently we are (more or less) 39 km away from the goal: Santiago de Compostela. We have run into more problems than anticipated with lodging. Annie and I imagined that things would be crowded with the año Xacobeo but we did not anticipate the numbers we are seeing these days.
Given the reality of this, we now have to divide the group up in two so that it will be easier to find lodging the last days of the trip. Tomorrow the early group (named the ¨Breakfast Club¨ in honor of one of the greatest 80s movies ever) will leave at around 6 a.m. and trek 35 km to Monte de Gozo. This final push should ensure lodging for everyone in the group and will be a challenge since the farthest we have walked since the beginning has only been 25 km.
Aside from the long walk, I sense that there are mixed emotions about reaching the ¨end of the road¨. Obviously there is some desire to finish it once and for all but, at the same time, some are reluctant to end what has been such a rewarding experience - walking the Camino and meeting the other peregrinos.
The next post should be from Santiago.
Hasta soon
Anditos
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Hey everyon´; this is Ncik. Sorry I havent blogged yet, but I´ve just been too busy having fun and living la vida Española. Anyway, this is what the camino has taught meÑ 1. Northern Europeans were designed to carry heavy weights upon their backs and walk for long distances. Unfortunately, however, natural selection has also provided for our sheer whiteness in order that we blend into the snow. Hense forth, sunburn insues. 2. Spain has showned me spirituality in a whole new way. Cafine and ham, God does exist. I left a cokeacola adict and will return an avid coffee drinker. Oh well. 3. Canadians are all crazy, but then again I have nothing but crazy people to compare them too around here, so maybe there just as normal as we are. Anyway, tomorrow is the longest day yet, the breakfast club, as we´ve come to call ourselves, is walking a thirty five kilometer day. I believe I am still the only person on the list of Nuclear Hallocost survivors, so Camino, Bring It On. Nos vemos cuando volvemos.
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Hey guys, today we are in Melide. I thought this town would be really small but its actually quite big. tonight we have to try pulpa, or octapus for those not spanish speakers. mmmm yummmmm. I walked with my bag today and I really was happy that I was back in the game. I can´t wait to finish the camino. we have been walking the same dis´tances as more people lately. we have a friend on the camino from LA now, he´s really cool, but he´ll get into santiago one day before us. Its cool here. the weather has been really foggy but at least it hasn´t rained. we´ve been soooooo lucky with the weather. its only rained after we´ve been done walking for the day, and even then it has only rained a few times. Tomorrow we are walking to somewhere not on the itinerary and I forget the name of the town, but oh well. I am super excited that we will not have any really long days left. the last day will only be 5km! how awesome is that? I´m missing everyone at home and especially peanut butter and jelly. its weird the things that really make home feel like home. ;) I hope everyone at home doesn´t miss us too much ;) it´ll be A-okay. I´ll be safely home in 13 days. so soon yet almost two weeks away still! lots of spanglish love, Destiny
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Hey guys, this is Jessica again. We´re in Melide today and arrived early after a 14 km hike. The hike today went by pretty quickly compared to yesterday´s 24 km hike. I think everyone was looking forward to the short day after the last two. The town itself is a lot larger than I had anticipated. Apparently the town is known for octupus so we are going to have a quick taste before dinner - should be interesting. Other than that things are going well. We have 4 days left of walking and everyone is really looking forward to the activities that are planned for our time in Santiago.
