Monday, 30 May 2011
madrid
We have been in Madrid for the last 2 days. Spent Sat. with Miranda and watching the UEFA cup at an Irish pub packed with Spaniards, Brits, Irish and 2 Aussies. Such a great atmosphere. I dont know what would have happened if Manchester won. Everyone was so elated, drunk and in full voice. We got there early, well 40min before the game started, so we were able to sit for the game others had to sandwich together near the bar.When Barca scored the place erupted singing hugging jumping the place was a buzz. When Manchester scored it was funny the place erupted, sang and hugged as well. We then walked through the plaza past the protesters , big thing over here at the moment, really hit badly by the global economic crisis. Lots of unemployment,poverty, no social security. So the protesters are having a peaceful protest in all the major cities around spain.They started about 2 -3 weeks ago and its really spreading . This plaza is full of tents, banners, music, petitions. Hope they get through to their gov. Most think it is corrupt. We went to Sofia gallery yesterday and saw Picasso´s Guernica. Great gallery had plenty of sureealism paintings. Lots of Dali, Dominguez, picasso,Magritte. Had the best time spent 4 hours there. In the evedening we took the metro, love the metro, to the Torrors stadium and bought tickets from a scalper cause the tickets at the gate were soooo expensive. We got in for 20 euros each instead of 50. Unfortunately we could only watch 1 bull fight , it was too upsetting. Such a beautiful animal and quite a horrible death really. We bought some t shirts instead. Today hoping to get the big red bus around the city and get over to the Prado arte museo and eat more Tapas. Adios.
Friday, 27 May 2011
Finesserra
Great bus trip through to Finesserra. Passed such beautiful old little towns. The landscape has changed as well really rugged rocky and mainly large pine trees. It's sooooo windy here great for wind surfers. The beaches have all been desolate but for us. We walked to the Grande beach up over the hills back up to the peninsular light house were of course they have a bar and tapas. SOOOOOOO windy we were nearly blown off. this is where most pilrims burn a piece of their clothing to signify that they have madeit all the way to the end o¡f the world. We didnt have anything to burn so we left some sea shells.Someone had caused a fire recently so burning of clothes is somewhat banned. Hade a tortilla bordillo , chocolate conlette and apple cake just to warm us up of course. Spent a couple of hours on a sheltered beach and read for a while plus took a dip but for not so long still a little cold although Ive been in the water at Austi and its been colder its just the wind chill factor. Must go time running out. Staying here for 2 days. Adios.
santiago
We made it. With a strong tail wind we made it into Santiago at about 11am. Went straight to the Cathedral-plaza and had a walk around. There was a protest happening for democracy mainly young people who have set up camp outside the cathedral. Santiago is hosting youth week this year and of course the Pope is coming so all things are gearing up for him.I´m glad we didnt do this walk in August it would have been a nightmare. Well its such a relief to finally get here we have clocked up almost 400km. We also went to the official camino office to get our certificates it was quite emotional for us after all the dramas we did it. At 12 noon every day at the cathedral they have a pilgrims mass. We had never been to a mass before so it was very interesting. The priest made mention of all the pilgrimas there today plus he made a special mention to the 2 pilgrims from Australia. We were quite chuffed and a bit teary that they had mentioned us.The mass was entertaining they even lit the large burner that swings from the roof full of incense - made it swing from roof top to roof top quite spectacular. Greer is yhinking of turning catholic well not really she just found it quite moving. We are staying in a pensione right next door to the cathedral so at every 15min the bells chime. This happens quite a lot in spain but I like it we should have more bells in Australia. It has a nice welcoming feeling.Santiago agin has many winding ally ways that lead you to more bars more tapas and more shops.We had the best lunch here Bluevein cheese , watercress, hazelnuts , walnuts,raisins,and apple salad,cockles in white wine, cured jamon with mushrooms, and figs in vanilla icecream it was yummmmmy. Greer has been converted to liking mushrooms now. Well we are off to Finesserra on the bus as it´s another 100kms or more and walking only on the road so we are busing it. Finesserra ¨" the end of the world" it`s on the coast so we are really looking forward to seeing the water again. We do miss it.It´ll be cold but we are still going to take the plunge. Adios
Sunday, 22 May 2011
anzor
Today we started in daylight unlike the previous 3 mornings we have started in fog which lasted till 11am. I´m glad the Camino is well maked otherwise we would have surely gotton lost. The track has been gruelling but probably the most beautiful so far of this epic walk. We Stayed at Melida last night in a room at an albergue only for 4 people I guess they felt sorry for me. So it was nice to have some peace and quiet. We made dinner last night and shared with some other pilgrims. We then played black jack with them and by 9.30pm everyone is so tired that we all generally retire for the night. My foot is getting better and over the last 3 days we have walked on average arounnd 16 km per day.The days are also getting hotter we arrived at Azor aroune 12.30pm and have just eaten some pasta. We were soooo hungry. We are just about to have a sietsa so Adios for now. Enjoy the photos I hope you are not too grossed out by my foot- just thiught you may want to have a look at what it looked like of course it is much better now. Love to all. Jen and Greer xx
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