Pension Bandeira Santiago de Compostela

... have been gathering for centuries to visit the tomb of St James. The Cathedral itself was magnificent, and the surrounding buildings where also very impressive. Shopping in the narrow flag stoned streets was a delight. We stayed at were given refreshments in a former hospital dating from around 1513 which is a listed building and is now a first class hotel. It was all very grand.

... of young people around. The cathedral is surrounded by the old city with its small streets and medieval feel about it. It is supposed to rain all day today so we've got a late start.....but no rush. Enjoy the photos. Today's goal is portraits......



October 22, 2009

Made it to Barcelona late last night (well after
midnight). We had a slightly
delayed flight out of Santiago--raining ...

... the city which contains all the old buildings and churches is pedestrianised and huddles round the grand cathedral. The Cathedral is vast and very ornate. The guide books say that is best seen in the rain so that all the lichens and mosses are highlighted. The weather duly obliged!

The car has decided to have a sick day and has gone to the Ford dealer to recuperate! We collect it tonight and move on to Portugal in the morning.

... our own bathroom and a room to ourselves. Also had awonderful meal served by a grandpa who reminded Shawn and I of Oscar. He went out of his way to solve our language barrier and also pured soup over sara´s arm and went to get a wet cloth to wipe it up - he was so cute. Mary here--I seem to be the only one the bed bugs are drawn to ,no one else has been bitten,except for the fact ...

... Then, after his run, he wanted to have a drink with us... but we left before he got back from his shower. Unfortunately, Saturday night... he recognized us. He brought us cava and sangria and then came and sat down with us, saying nothing and jumping up every few minutes to check on other tables. He again brought us a big plate of food, and more drinks when we finished the first ones. After about 45 minutes, we had found out only that he was from Brazil but was ...

... and were able to walk all over the roof and take pictures. After the roof, they took us on a tour of the market of Santiago, where we saw a truly revolting aisle of seafood, mostly still alive, a vegetable aisle, and a cheese aisle. The cheese in Galicia is a special local cheese called "tetilla"-- boob cheese. It comes in the shape of, yes, boobs. The story goes that a bishop commissioned a famous Italian sculptor to make a statue of the Virgin Maria for the entrance to the ...

... dans la noirceur, mais ca allait bien. Tout au long de la journee, quand je commencais a etre un peu ecoeure ou decourage, je me disais, qu'il ne fallait pas lacher car c'etait ma derniere journee de marche. J'ai presqu'exclusivement marche dans les forets jusqu'en milieu d'apres-midi. Je trouve cela tres paisible. C'est niaiseux car a deux pas de chez nous, il y a le parc de lac Leamy, le parc de la Gatineau, le parc du lac Beauchamp, etc... et moi ...

... group pictures at the enormous sculpture there, with the wind billowing our rain gear and the rain pelting down, and thought of Julia. Brad is using two walking sticks to support his weight, as both of his Achilles are hurting now, but he's determined to make it to the end. Judy walked with us from there on in, and we left the scenic countryside and suburbia for the city of Santiago. We passed a sculpture with statues of pilgrims and Popes who have ...

... being carried by train. But one of the legends we read in my "Camino de Santiago" class a couple of years ago was about a guy who died and was carried by his friend to Santiago. St. James appeared to the friend who had done this and commended him for his faith and kindness. The other friends, who had promised to help but didn't, were given penance to do. I figure if a dead guy counts, I should get credit for just being asleep. I'm currently in Berlin and ...

... sea, on a long inlet, and we see fishing boats, and marine industry. The road here is under construction, and the countryside is heath and scrub, indicating the sea is not far away. From Cee to Fisterre (sic) we see higher hills, and the arm of the ocean which runs up past it, and stop at a bus stand in view of the port. We have been debating how we get the 3.6 km to the cape, but Jerry and Sharon run into an old friend from the early stage of their walk, the ...