Camino de Santiago is the name of any of the pilgrimage routes, known as pilgrim ways, to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. Pilgrims (peregrino) have walked these ways for over 1,000 years, following the simple scallop shell signs, and often with a Pilgrim's staff. The pathways are very popular with modern walkers - Martin Sheen starred in The Way, a movie … [Read more...]
Women on the Camino de Santiago
Guest Post by Jane V. Blanchard who is author of Women of the Way Embracing the Camino. You can purchase the book on Amazon or the e-book . To view the book trailer or purchase an autographed copy, visit Woman of the Way 2011 Twitter Facebook Fan Page Facebook Author's page Email Pinterest I am a 62-year-old modern-day pilgrim. In 2011, I and approximately 300,000 people trekked a network of ancient pilgrimage routes leading to … [Read more...]
Peru – Machu Picchu: Coming Home
A Journey of Discovery at Machu Picchu by Gayle Lawrence founder of Journeys of Discovery: Mind, Body, Spirit Travel Adventures An Outer Discovery... An Inner Journey Read more about her company and tours on offer here … [Read more...]
Expect to see yellow spotted lizards- day 5 on the Camino to Santiago de Compostela
The bright yellow spotted lizard lay on the path, looking like a child's toy. But it was real, and unexpected. later I saw another one, its gold colour matching exactly the chestnut leaves which fell around me in the woods. Each time I stopped for a rest there would be a blue butterfly, or the first autumn crocus, or a long tailed magpie to watch. Lovely surprises, and some not so lovely. … [Read more...]
Half way to Santiago – who cares? day 4
Hot water flowed from the spring by the old Roman bridge in Caldas de Reis- a place where kings used to stop and where Thomas a Becket gave his name to a church. I stopped to feel the waters, and lost my bearings. no signs visible, no-one around, as it was siesta. An old man came up over the bridge, called out to me, and pointed his walking stick towards a tiny lane. Again the unasked for kindness, and from a man who must have seen so much sad … [Read more...]
Don’t panic too soon – day three on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela
Ponte Sampaio to San Antoninio 23 kms. Today Danielle joined me for a pretty walk through the tiny steep streets and old Roman roads of the villages, through vineyards and small holdings, to the beautiful city of Pontevedra. We called in at our Lady of the Camino sanctuary,the Shrine of the Virgin Peregrina, again full of beautiful flowers. When the churches are open, they look as though as wedding is about to happen. My afternoon was solo … [Read more...]
Signs come when you need them – day two of the Camino de Santiago
Ceridwyn writes: Each day, I started where I left off, usually by a wayside marker, with a bright yellow scallop shell pointing its rays in the direction i needed to go. The number of km is also on the marker. It was so great to see it drop from 115km t0 99 to 83 and down to 49- over half way. The markers have been erected by the Spanish government and are such a welcome sight. … [Read more...]
