The Camino Helps Us Discover Our Destiny – Sylvie Sims

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Again Synchronicity provided me in meeting and creating two very special Camino friendships. Lisa Moore (right side of photo) who in Fall of 2011 walked through Vilei and agreed to participate in German Limeres’s Rexistro 108 Vile Pilgrim Photography Project and to share with me on video her thoughts of the Camino.  Lisa was so kind to come to visit last week during the St. James Celebrations and to reconnect in Santiago and the Camino that brought us together.

Sylvie Sims, seated on my left, and I connected while we were finishing our camino journey just before arriving into Santiago July 2012 for the St. James Festivities.  Just two days away from Santiago I had stayed in a casa rural all alone with no one else in the house. I was trying to stay at another casa rural but they were completely full so we tried another one on the list and not only were they free again no one else was there I knew this would be a perfect place to rest, relax and reflect on my camino before arriving in Santiago.

The owner offered me the opportunity to enjoy a book from their wonderful library collection in the room of the historic old cooking fireplace where you know many fantastic stories were told and took place.  It was the only book they had in english.  The smell of the wood and many burnt embers wrapped me in a warm blanket of special memories as I began to read. I was enjoying the book so much I asked if I could borrow it and would mail it back when I had finished.  He happily agreed and so I set off on my journey and had no idea what it would lead to.  Funny that the book was about an Irish adventure and I would on the next day be walking out of Arzua on my way to Pedrouzo and would make a stop at a little local bar that had a lovely park setting outside.  This place was very special for me as it was the first place outside of Santiago that I went to film pilgrims’ and hear some of their stories.

I heard Sylvie on the phone and her lovely voice with her beautiful “irish accent” that caught my attention.  It is a funny way that the signs show up all in different ways and at different times. But with this I noticed right away that I had just been reading the book that morning over coffee and there sat Sylvie just next to me at the other stone picnic table.

I got up and spoke to her as soon as she finished her call and introduced myself.  It was an immediate wonderful connection that we then shared some time walking on the Camino and a refreshment at the next town before Sylvie decided to continue on her Camino and get a little closer to Santiago – in all Sylvie would walk 54 KM that day – impressive and inspiring as she wanted to savor the feeling of her camino journey with more solitude as she arrived into Santiago and wanted to get a bit farther to enter the city the next morning alone before more of the pilgrim crowds arrived.

I feel very lucky that we stopped at just the same place which provided a new beginning of a friendship.  We would then run into each other 3 more times in Santiago.  Which again might seem very common in the historic district – but with St. James Festival pilgrim’s and the town with more visitors than normal Sylvie and I took note and enjoyed a few more glasses of wine and some Camino stories during that trip July 2012.

A few emails would be exchanged and many thoughts that in some way for sure continued to keep our spirits connected as for it was a year later just a week ago that I would be walking through Santiago with Lisa and German having just told Lisa of how I met Sylvie – not more than 45 minutes later there sat SYLVIE and her partner Oliver – Sylvie jumped to her feet and said “I just told Oliver if Susan Mann is here I hope that I would see her standing on the stone pillar inside the Cathedral watching the Botafumeiro – and here you are not 45 minutes after me telling Oliver the story”.  Sylvie and I had enjoyed a special “swing” of the Botafumeiro together in 2012.  As every Botafumeiro experience is special and unique but I had shared with Sylvie that I always went early to stand on one of the stone pillars to get a great view and I would hold a spot for her it worked for her to join me.

I am so very grateful for another special memory in Santiago and for our reconnection.  There have been many more “Irish” signs for me and I hope to visit Sylvie, her family, and Oliver on an adventure to Ireland.

I hope you enjoy Sylvie’s comments on Destiny and Life.  Thank you Sylvie for your loving, kind and generous spirit it is an inspiration. I look forward to sharing more of your Camino story and Lisa’s in future posts.

The Camino Helps Us Discover Our Destiny – Sylvie Sims VIDEO LINK:

Festivals While You Camino

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XXX MOSTRA DA OLERÍA DE BUÑO EN MALPICA DE BERGANTIÑOS

Last year after I finished my second Camino from Roncesvalles I was fortunate to spend a couple of months in the Costa Da Morte (The Dead Coast).  Another very special adventure discovering more of Galicia’s beautiful beaches all with different landscapes and terrain. From big mountain tops, to rolling hills, long beaches that stretched as far as the eye could see to small intimate private places perfect for swimming and a spanish “siesta”.

Every year in BUÑO EN MALPICA DE BERGANTIÑOS, from August 2 – 11, 2013  you can go and enjoy some local arts and crafts.  It is a special field trip where you can visit the exhibition and watch how the artisans make the traditional ceramics.

57 Km North from Santiago you will find BUÑO just outside of MALPICA DE BERGANTIÑOS.

For more information please visit Fiestas De Galicia: http://www.paxinasgalegas.es/fiestas/xxx-mostra-da-oler%C3%ADa-de-buño-malpica-de-bergantiños-1710.html

 

Viking Festival – 42 KM South of Santiago de Compostela

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The Viking Festival celebrated in Catoira is another unique and wonderful adventure during your travels in Galicia.  It is a very special part of any Camino journey to share in the local festivals celebrating Galicia’s rich history, culture and traditions.  You will enjoy discovering a little more about what makes Galicia so special and learn of ancient customs that will add in a very special way to your Camino memories.

Just 42 KM South of Santiago de Compostela August 3 – 4, 2013 in the town of Catoira, Galicia.

For more information please visit: Fiestas de Galicia: http://www.paxinasgalegas.es/fiestas/liii-romar%C3%ADa-vikinga-catoira-0076.html

Thank You Camino For Special Friendships

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I have been blessed with many special “synchronistic” experiences that has brought wonderful people into my life.  As they say the universe knows just what you need and provides an opportunity for people to come together, connect, and share in creating together special memories.

It was again this way that the universe knew how to bring me just the right people to make new friendships and share in helping me live in Galicia experiencing Spain as a real local.  God and the universe knew well she doesn’t speak much spanish so lets send her people who are kind, loving and Bilingual!

The story began in Fall of 2011 with a new friend Anna Maria Lopez who loves America and enjoys spending her vacations traveling learning more about the USA. She is a very talented and creative graphic designer who has worked with my friend German Limeres and also taught him graphic design more than 20 years ago. In 2011 Upon her return of her trip to America mutual friends said we should meet.  It took a few months with our busy schedules but it was a real delight from the beginning and our enjoying friday evening walks on the Roman Wall in Lugo. Anna shared with me that when she had returned from America she had told her sister she wished she had an “american friend” and wouldn’t you know I had just come to live in Lugo and was lucky to meet Anna and become friends.

Anna would bring me more synchronistic connections that go back 30 years to La Jolla, CA where I grew up. Anna had recently joined a hiking trail group for just a few outings one of which would lead to a very dear friend, Marisa Granda Escudero, who has shared with me her love of the camino, included me as one of her own family and helped to make living in Lugo a very special experience.

As it so happened Anna and Marisa were on the same bus for one of the 3 hiking outing the group shared. Marisa was supposed to be on another bus a different day but due to her work schedule ended up on the same bus as Anna.  They enjoyed hiking and though they had lived in the same city for 20 years had never met before. Anna originally from Barcelona and Marisa from Madrid.

After the hiking trip only spoke/emailed a few times and one was after Anna and I had met and Anna shared with Marisa there was an american woman, me, living in Lugo and that I was from La Jolla, CA.  Marisa said I went there for vacation when she was a young girl.  Just so happened that Marisa traveled there the same summer my family moved in 1976… Anna and Marisa said well soon we would all meet.

One friday I asked Anna how about we call Marisa.  Anna said that she had just emailed her 30 minutes before that we would set a time together.  Well, the universe didn’t want us to wait – I needed to fix my spanish cell phone and Anna had taken me to almost every store in town.. One we hadn’t been to was at the mall.  A place not the best for a friday night as it is one of the busiest times for the mall in Spain.  Also, Anna and I don’t usually go to the mall unless absolutely necessary as we enjoyed our friday night walks on the Roman Wall.

But Anna graciously agreed to keep helping with solutions for my phone.  We drove to the mall and of course it was packed…. But within less than 5 minutes we not only were inside the mall with what seemed like the rest of the town and bumped RIGHT INTO MARISA and her daughter Veronica.. So within 30 minutes of their email to each other the universe provided the RIGHT TIMING!!!

Marisa invited me that night to hear her son Miguel sing in his last live concert with a band he had sung with for years.  It was a special evening celebrating new friendships that has led to many wonderful experiences – Thank you Anna and Marisa for being open to the “Signs” and Flow that helped us all to become friends. I am forever grateful! Muchisimas Gracias por todo!!!

Thank you for letting me share this, Long, introduction to sharing Marisa’s Camino story but for me it is so powerful how the universe supports in bringing people together.  Marisa’s full name is Granda Escudero and the name “Escudero” is very historic in tradition as it was the name of the squires that helped the knights of the middle ages. Marisa has more than lived up to her name in the kindness she has shown me a mere pilgrim traveler (for more information on the heritage of the name Escudero please see below).

Marisa has enjoyed many Camino adventures and shares in a wonderful spanish tradition that some who are passionate about the camino make and that is to take a part of each year’s vacation and set out on a new camino journey.  What a wonderful way to experience the Camino and over time see how it touches, transforms and changes our hearts, minds, spirits and Lives!

Marisa Granda Escudero – Thoughts On Her Camino Experiences:

“I was born in Madrid and enjoyed many special times at my families historic village of Valdevarnes just outside of Segovia.  I have always had a love of nature, animals, meeting people and sharing in travel adventures. I have been a veterinarian since 1985 and have lived for the past 20 years in Lugo located in Galicia northern Spain one hour by car to Santiago de Compostela.

For me what I love about the Camino are the people you meet – the way is the people! It is not just that the landscapes are beautiful of course the landscape is amazing but without the people the camino means nothing.  Because it is for me this is what is special about The Way you are sure that you will meet people and  have an emotional and meaningful connection. You can share with them what you really are thinking and feeling.

You don’t really know why the people do the camino, some people have a religious objective,  some people want to find themselves, and most of the people I met were people that had a big change in their life, either a divorce, or death, or some thing that makes you want to change your life. Most of the people feel they want to change their job or they are trying to look for an answer. And maybe they wthink they that The Way will help them be themselves.

The camino has a special way of helping people to be open and sharing. Most of the people i met were this way.  Many needed an answer and wanted to feel something a sense of guidance and new direction in their life . Most of them did find something new and it helped them to share a nice experience as everyone is going the same way.

Everyone walking has a lot of respect for other people. They are kind and ask if you want to talk or do you want be alone – people have so much respect for others and for the experience that you are trying to have.

I had felt that since I was young I had wanted to walk the camino. Also, having lived in Galicia for so many years my interest in walking and experiencing the camino grew. I knew that when I started in Roncesvalles I would finish and arrive  in Santiago at the Meta(means the end).

I met a lot of different people from many countries. Once in Burgos, i remember that we were a group of people from 46 different countries all in the same church. We all attended a pilgrim celebration, pilgrim prayer session,  where you everyone shares where they are from. There were also pilgrims from  all  the different provinces of Spain. It was special to share with people from so many different places and from so far away.

You may see people with a problem and you want to help them there is an openness and willingness to help and share. You feel very safe in the way that someone is taking care of you. Some of my friends said how are you doing this alone aren’t you afraid?  I felt it was all possible and that I was t cared for and safe.

If you want to have a different experience you can not find this type of experience as I believe it is very hard to find and does not exist in other parts of the world.

You may have pain in your feet, blisters, your back hurts, and you are tired.  You share more than you realize with others as you find out what you have in common and this makes a bond between all the pilgrims.

I really like the camino and it has been so very special for me that i decided to continue and take the opportunity to continue to camino. It is one of the blessings of living here that I am so close to the diffrernt routes of the camino that I enjoy sharing in more camino experiences.

Yes one of the things for me is I really like to walk, to be in nature, and to meet people. I like a lot the French Way for the people you meet.  I enjoy the other ways because they are less crowded and offer different experiences in nature. They are all very beautiful and you know that each experience will be wonderful and create many special memories.

It is also nice to know that no matter what way you take you will have a place to sleep and nice people to meet. No matter where you are you will meet people who will include you always making for a special experience in sharing.

If you start doing the way maybe you will like and want to do more. There is a very beautiful way to go from Santiago to Finisterre. You have done the camino and then the last walking is more relaxed. You have done the work and then it feels you  now have your holidays.

Finisterre has very nice atmosphere and ambiance where you can enjoy the beach and the sunset is beautiful. I have many pictures that remind me of how special this part of the camino was.

I look forward to sharing in camino adventures with others and to the many special memories that the camino brings.

I have been fortunate to have many camino experiences.  I walked in 6 different sections the French Way spreading out the camino during my vacation holidays beginning in Roncesvalles to Logrono, Logrono to Burgos (Belorado), Belorado to Leon, Leon to Ponferrada, Ponferrada to O Cebreiro, and O Cebreiro to Santiago.  I enjoyed making another camino from Santiago to Finisterre (known as the end of the world) and continuing along the ocean from Finisterre to Muxia.

I have experienced different parts or stages of the Primitive Way two different stages or etapas from Fonsagrada to Cadavo and Cadavo to Castroverde enjoying eating cocido during the carnival festival in 2011.

I walked the English Way in the spring of 2012 and began my journey of the Northern Way making the first stage (Etapa) from Irun to Bilbao summer of 2012. For most of us who have experienced the camino once you begin you will camino in some way for the rest of your life.

Buen Camino!” – Marisa Granda Escudero

* “The name Escudero is of occupational origin, that is, it belongs to that group of names derived from the job or profession pursued by its original bearer. In this instance “escudero” is an old Spanish word meaning “person who makes shields” from the Latin word “scutum” which means “squire”, and refers to the servant who used to carry his lord’s shield when it was not needed”.  – http://www.houseofnames.com

A Special Camino POEM – Alex Muszynski & Friends

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Every person I meet on the Camino inspires and touches me in a unique and special way.  I am always excited to see what they will share and what I will learn from their Camino Journey.  It was again a wonderful surprise when German Limeres and I were taking pictures in the Parador Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos starting Km 0 Santiago when we met Alex Muszynski (19), Mina Brewer (17), Allie Hill (18), Isabelle Alonso (33), Emmeline Hill (50), and Thomas Hill (56) who graciously joined us and agreed to share in the Global Pilgrims’ Photography and Video Project.

It was an extra special surprise when Alex shared the poem he had written during his Camino Travels!  Thank you Alex and everyone for sharing it was a very wonderful experience for me!

We will post soon your picture in Km 0 Santiago but I wanted to share you poem as I know it will inspire and delight more Camino Peregrinos!

Alex Muszynski Camino Poem Video Link:

 

SMILES From SPAIN! – Mary Howell

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Everyday holds for me some very special surprises and synchronicities and other days there are even more – a wonderful almost continuous flow that delights you to opening up to more of life and making connections with others.

It was a day like this that I met Mary.  We were in the Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela having just participated in the mass and special Archicofradia De Santiago Medal Ceremony when I heard my named called out as Mary Howell approached me.  She quickly introduced herself to me that she had heard my name called out when we both were sharing in the ceremony.  It was so kind of her to say hello, introduce herself and share that she knew me through my blog – thank you. Mary I wish we had had our picture taken together – next time you are hear we will share in some more special times in Santiago!

Mary has a beautiful and inspiring Camino story – I hope you will enjoy as I have – thank you again Mary!

Dear Susan,
I love the way you sign your self… Smiles from Spain.  That is how I feel about Spain and what it does for me.

Where to start?
I have wanted to write, be a writer, for a long time. Like most of those ambitions, ‘life’ gets in the way.  A decision to move to Wales to look after my mother, and perhaps just work part time proved instrumental. Because only those who speak Welsh can teach in schools in
wales and there is only call for teaching Welsh language, so my two mainstays for earning a living as an infant schoolteacher and as a language teacher were stymied. Should have done my homework.  But then suddenly I had the space I needed.

I knew about the Camino from an early age. 16 years old may be, travelling in Spain with my mother and a man handed me a little red pamphlet with wonderful pictures of the saint in stone.  I kept the pamphlet with other keepsakes for thirty years and gradually ceased to look at it.

Then at a very troubled time in my life, ten years or so ago, when I thought some clearing out would perhaps be cathartic, the Brochure found its way to the top of the pile and positively shouted out.  Now is the time.
I had an empty nest, two children through university, just and one just starting, I had a dead end job and to be honest was not enjoying many aspects of my life.

The walk, the effort, the joy of the experience and the people I met, I have tried to capture in the novel, Murielle’s Angel.  A first novel, so of course it is based on all the people I know well, but each character is a composite, a mix and match, so no one character is any one person and none of the events happened as written although something like.

I was prompted to join  the English Confraternity a year ago because a friend wanted me to walk a little with her. That was when I discovered Global Pilgrims too. The English confraternity
news letter asked for volunteer hospitaleros in Santiago for this summer and that is how I came to be here again. I walked three hundred kilometres of the Camino del Norte and then took a bus to be here in time for my stint, met Johnnywalker as well as the lovely Danny who runs the Albergue De peregrinos final del Camino.

He asked me if I would like to receive the medal and of course I said yes.  It was an honour. And there you were too. I don’t know if this is something that happens once a year or because it was nearly St James ‘ feast day and I was just very lucky.

As for being in the square waiting for the fireworks and hearing of the train crash.  What a sadness for the town and the families.
I am trying to send some photos, but they are on my camera and will not be downloaded till I get home at the end of the week.  If I can manage any pics before then I sell surely try.  Until then here is my reply and Thanks for the offer of the blog spot.

I have been blogging myself , although still relatively new to it.
http://maryjhowell.wordpress.com
And my book Murielle’s Angel is available certainly on Amazon.

Smiles from Spain!
Mary

Dear Susan,
I love the way you sign your self… Smiles from Spain.  That is how I feel about Spain and what it does for me.

Where to start?
I have wanted to write, be a writer, for a long time. Like most of those ambitions, ‘life’ gets in the way.  A decision to move to Wales to look after my mother, and perhaps just work part time proved instrumental. Because only those who speak Welsh can teach in schools in
wales and there is only call for teaching Welsh language, so my two mainstays for earning a living as an infant schoolteacher and as a language teacher were stymied. Should have done my homework.  But then suddenly I had the space I needed.

I knew about the Camino from an early age. 16 years old may be, travelling in Spain with my mother and a man handed me a little red pamphlet with wonderful pictures of the saint in stone.  I kept the pamphlet with other keepsakes for thirty years and gradually ceased to look at it.

Then at a very troubled time in my life, ten years or so ago, when I thought some clearing out would perhaps be cathartic, the Brochure found its way to the top of the pile and positively shouted out.  Now is the time.
I had an empty nest, two children through university, just and one just starting, I had a dead end job and to be honest was not enjoying many aspects of my life.

The walk, the effort, the joy of the experience and the people I met, I have tried to capture in the novel, Murielle’s Angel.  A first novel, so of course it is based on all the people I know well, but each character is a composite, a mix and match, so no one character is any one person and none of the events happened as written although something like.

I was prompted to join  the English Confraternity a year ago because a friend wanted me to walk a little with her. That was when I discovered Global Pilgrims too. The English confraternity
news letter asked for volunteer hospitaleros in Santiago for this summer and that is how I came to be here again. I walked three hundred kilometres of the Camino del Norte and then took a bus to be here in time for my stint, met Johnnywalker as well as the lovely Danny who runs the Albergue De peregrinos final del Camino.

He asked me if I would like to receive the medal and of course I said yes.  It was an honour. And there you were too. I don’t know if this is something that happens once a year or because it was nearly St James ‘ feast day and I was just very lucky.

As for being in the square waiting for the fireworks and hearing of the train crash.  What a sadness for the town and the families.
I am trying to send some photos, but they are on my camera and will not be downloaded till I get home at the end of the week.  If I can manage any pics before then I sell surely try.  Until then here is my reply and Thanks for the offer of the blog spot.

I have been blogging myself , although still relatively new to it.
http://maryjhowell.wordpress.com
And my book Murielle’s Angel is available certainly on Amazon.

Smiles from Spain!
Mary

The Camino inspires in so many ways and each story has the power to transform, empower and help us on our Camino Journey of Life:  You can learn more of Mary’s story by visiting: http://www.amazon.com/Murielles-Angel-Mary-J-Howell/dp/1907090835/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375342711&sr=8-1&keywords=murielle%27s+angel

The Camino Of Life Inspires CREATIVITY & ART

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Artist Michael Kalish in front of his Ali Sculpture

The Camino is a transformational journey and inspires us in so many ways.  The Camino is also a powerful METAPHOR of the Camino of our LIVES.  The Camino provides a space for introspection, for personal development, for friendship, for DISCOVERY, and for CREATIVITY.  Also, if we let it can guide us to new creations in our life. The Camino journey continues when we return home and can unfold in ways we may never have imagined – have fun letting your Creative Spirit Flow!!!

It is inspiring to witness in others their inner spirits expression through their creativity – ART INNOVATION IN ACTION!  Michael Kalish’s Art is all this and so much more!!!  I hope you will enjoy this video and that it inspires you to sharing your own ARTISTIC Innovation Creations!!!

Michael Kalish – Artist Extraordinaire!!!!

VIDEO LINK:

Thank you Timothy J. O’Connor and JenMedia Campbell for your facebook post that inspired sharing this video encouraging the Creative Camino Spirit in all of us!!!

 

Thank You Christina Oiticica & Paulo Coelho

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It is SYNCHRONICITY or COINCIDENCE that brought the Camino and now living in Galicia, Spain into my life.  I would never have guessed the interesting connections and twists this journey has taken – that is still unfolding today.  Who knows where it will lead but I am very grateful to all who have been a part of it.  Muchisimas Gracias!

A very special thank you to my family, friends, and camino contacts who have encouraged me to continue to follow this unfolding Camino path and see where the journey takes me. As I begin to share some of my own Synchronicity and Coincidence stories that have been a part of my experience there are connecting points that help me to share a little of my experience and it was Paulo Coelho’s Facebook post today of his video speaking on “Luck, Coincidence and Faith” that inspired me to share my thank you letter to Christina and Paulo. As it is through the kindness, generosity, and open spirit with others that has been the most special part of this journey.  I hope that it too will help you to see more of your “Synchronicities” and “Coincidences” in life.  Have Fun Following Your Own “Yellow Brick” Camino Trail!!!

Dear Christina & Paulo,

It was a pleasure to see you again in Santiago. I am glad you like the dolls – it was a fun way to share the camino pilgrimage spirit which you have inspired around the world. The synchronicity that I experienced around the world that brought the Camino, Santiago de Compostela and Spain into my has been the most amazing journey of my life of which you were a very important part and led to me meeting you during your wonderful art exhibition event at the Parador July 2010 during the Holy Year of Xacobeo. Thank you for a very special time that has lead to many more wonderful continued synchronistic experiences.

It was attending your wonderful party, meeting you, and Paulo introducing me to Julio Castro that led to our having the Rexistro 108 Vilei Global Pilgrims’ Photography Exhibition June – July 2013. I knew that when we met and I experienced your special event that in the future it would be special to continue sharing the camino and pilgrim spirit at the Parador but I didn’t know what form that would take as my “synchronicity” was still unfolding bringing new people, relationships and experiences into my life.

Your introducing me to Julio Castro has led to the opportunity to continue to collaborate and share the pilgrimage spirit through a variety of camino projects for which I am very grateful.

I would never have thought or guessed how my synchronicity to you would unfold from meeting a woman who was volunteering for the same charity as I was in La Jolla, California. She was born Toronto, Canada moved to Guadalajara, Mexico and then bought a second home in La Jolla, CA and was asked by the same woman to volunteer for the charity event (interesting is that I met this same woman at the baggage / luggage claim at the Dallas Airport and though she was from my home town I didn’t know her before and hadn’t seen her.  It was bumping into her months later when I returned from travel that I too was invited to volunteer) our meeting summer 2009 that just happened to be in the La Jolla library and she knew of the documentary I am developing and said there was a book I needed to read and had I heard of The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho? I was not familiar with this book at the time and then she mentioned The Alchemist which I had read and loved.

So from this comment and brief discussion in the library which made it easy for her to show me your book started my synchronistic experiences that led to meeting you in Santiago de Compostela in 2010.  It was an interesting journey from the Library, that led to having a special celebration for my friend’s 89th Birthday and lunch with Prince Albert of Monaco where I gave to one of the guests my copy of The Pilgrimage. The Camino helps to start many special conversations and at the birthday lunch I was seated with one of the other 11 guests and in our conversation she said that she had always wanted to do the Camino by horseback.  This woman had started the garden society with Princess Grace and her daughter also an avid horse lover works for Prince Albert.  So the next day I went to the palace with some gifts one of which was your book The Pilgrimage.

It was interesting how interconnected my synchronicity has been and there is much more to the story but in short  I had put Prince Albert’s name on my computer calendar regarding the Camino documentary and another charity I participate in that teaches underserved communities filmmaking to help empower them through filmmaking to their share their stories in life.  It was then six months later Spring of 2009 that I saw in the paper that Prince Albert was coming from Monaco to La Jolla October 2009, my home town, to receive an award.

Through even more continued series of synchronicities I would attend the event and a man I met that evening, Ed Mracek, would introduce me to his friend, Max Gurney, who has been honorary council to Monaco and the Prince for more than 50 years. Max and I became friends and sharing the same birthday month Max June 10 and mine June 5 he invited me to share in celebrating his birthday later in June 2010 fly to Monaco with Prince Albert and special guests.

There are many connections to this story and the 10 years of synchronicity to the Camino and Spain that I am now writing in story form but it has been an amazing journey of people, connections, our connectedness, and experiences that still continues.

From lunch with Prince Albert my time in Monaco brought other synchronicity to you where I later traveled onto Marsailles, Aix en Provence and onto Barcelona at the last minute to follow some new signs all related to developing the Camino documentary and at breakfast with a producer from Valencia, Spain who has been filming her own Camino story and the Santiago’s around the world for more than 20 years received a call during our breakfast meeting that she was going to interview Paulo. I had shared some of my stories of synchronicity and we both smiled at yet another “coincidence”.

From Barcelona in June 2010 it was back to La Jolla briefly and then onto Santiago de Compostela for Xacobeo St. James Holy Year Festival where I would ultimately attend your special Art Exhibition Event in the Parador.  It would be at the last minute when I was working with a team of 5 people that I would “hear Paulo’s name in my head” – we stopped filming briefly and a new contact, Nathalie Archer whom I had met in Barcelona had traveled to help me film events of Xacobeo and the Holy Year Celebration 2010, was also helping with translating during our trip. We made our way to the Santiago Film Commission Office where we had had our meetings earlier for filming.  We spoke with them and they said yes your event was today starting in an hour and being familiar with my project they arranged for us to be a guests at your event.

It was very special for all of us to share in your event and experience your beautiful and inspiring art. With all the film and television crews you had attending we would again synchronistically end up talking to and filming the team that had been hired to document your exhibition.  A father and son from Germany.  We enjoyed filming them and their personal story because through the documentary we are trying to share and show how people using their gifts and talents working collaboratively together make a difference in the world.  What a wonderful example of a father and son team doing just that. It was in speaking and filming them that led to finally meeting you.

After your cocktail reception it was time for your dinner event and we were invited to take some pictures and video of the dinner.  After a short time, my film team left, and the translator and I said our thank you’s and as we were leaving just outside there was Paulo standing alone with Julio Castro of the Parador.  Paulo was kind to greet us and introduce us to Julio Castro, as I had earlier in the party shared a little bit about the documentary I have been developing.   This conversation would lead to the next day being what we thought was two hours late to a meeting, but again the universe has its own timing, I would walk into O Beiro Vinoteca to purchase a birthday gift for another friend and there was Julio Castro with the President of the Paradores.  They invited me to join them and later to have a meeting at the Parador.

This series of events would lead to a year later returning to Santiago de Compostela in September 2011 meeting German Limeres the photographer of Rexistro 108 Vilei through the Santiago Film Commissioner Dimas Gonzalez introduction that led to having the Rexistro 108 Vilei Global Pilgrim’s Exhibition event June – July 2013 in the Parador and our participating in the 1st Camino Film & Television Festival as their inauguration event June 5, 2013 which just happened to be my 50th birthday – so a very special way to celebrate life and my synchronicities to the Camino, Galicia and Spain.

It was a wonderful surprise that your 25th Anniversary Celebration of The Alchemist and the filming of your new movie occurred when the exhibition was taking place and brought in many ways full circle the synchronistic events that started years before.

There was another fun twist in the story that when I had been inviting pilgrims’ in Obradoiro Plaza to come to have their photographs taken I met two couple who had done the camino together and they decided to come to the Parador later for their picture. As she walked through the door you and Paulo were just leaving for the airport. She was amazed and touched deeply about her own synchronicity to you as she shared with us later with us that she had decided to do the Camino because of Paulo’s book The Zahir and later The Pilgrimage.

They had finished their camino a day early and just happened to be sitting in Obradoiro enjoying the view of the Cathedral when I invited them to participate in the photography project.  I had only handed them a flyer and asked if they wanted to participate and nothing more.  So for me it was fun to have them participate and when we asked if she wanted to share any of her camino thoughts and reflections on video she would share this story of synchronicity to you and your books with us. It was another wonderful “circle of synchronicity” at that moment.

Again I would like to  share a very special thank you to you, Paulo , Julio Castro and Dimas Gonzalez, German Limeres, including all the others who through these synchronistic connections helped to make all this possible for us to continue to share the Camino spirit through this photography exhibition and the development of the documentary.

Thank you for your patience and time in reading this as I felt it was important to share with you this story of how we met and the wonderful experiences it has led to.

I look forward to seeing you again if your travels have you returning to Santiago de Compostela and am wishing you a very special Bo Camiño journey!!!!

With every good wish,

Susan

International Friendship Day & The Camino

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There is a spirit of FRIENDSHIP on the Camino that makes special bonds between people.  A human connection that sometimes builds quickly and is deep and lasting or is meant for the time of the Camino and touches our hearts, minds and spirits in a special way that will remain with us no matter how often we see or connect with those that made our Camino unique and special. Wishing everyone a very Happy & Special Friendship Day!

Today is International Friendship Day – “Friendship Day was originally promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards in 1930, intended to be 2 August and a day when people celebrated their friendships by sending cards. The second of August was chosen as the centre of the largest lull between holiday celebrations.

International Friendship Day [1] is a day for celebrating friendship. The day has been celebrated in several southern South American countries for many years, particularly in Paraguay, where the first World Friendship Day was proposed in 1958.[2]

Initially created by the greeting card industry, evidence from social networking sites shows a revival of interest in the holiday that may have grown with the spread of the Internet, particularly in India, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. Digital communication modes such as the Internet and mobile phones may be helping to popularize the custom, since greeting friends en masse is now easier than before. Those who promote the holiday in South Asia attribute the tradition of dedicating a day in honor of friends to have originated in the U.S. in 1935, but it actually dates from 1919. The exchange of Friendship Day gifts like flowers, cards and wrist bands is a popular tradition of this occasion.

Friendship Day celebrations occur on different dates in different countries. The first World Friendship Day was proposed for 30 July 1958.[ On 27 April 2011 the General Assembly of the United Nations declared. 30 July as official International Friendship Day. However, some countries, including India,[7] celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August. In Oberlin, Ohio, Friendship Day is celebrated on 8 April each year.” – WIKIPEDIA

 

MY 500 MILE CAMINO WALK; I MADE IT….HAPPY FEET… ECSTATIC HEART!

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The Camino Always Provides!!!  It was a very special day for me where synchronicity that had begun just a couple days before when stopping at a mountain top albergue, just outside of O Cebreiro in Galicia, an albergue I had never been to before brought another wonderful Camino Connection and experience. I noticed that like times in years past I was in a place I had never been before as we had actually planned on being in a different part of Galicia but changed our mind at the last minute – this too has been a “trend” as part of my “synchronistic” flow over the years. Somehow hearing and then following my inner spirits guidance some special treasured experiences have flowed.

On that saturday I also noticed that we had to stay longer than usual for another conversation that was the reason that we were at this albergue anyway and I had heard a couple people speaking english which is always a treat for me since I have been living in Galicia 2 years and am still learning spanish. I decided to approach the two people sitting at the table and I ended up meeting Lauren Martinez, Still Photographer/Co-Producer, and Ron Nelson,  Director of Photography, of Travel Light Film (www.travelightfilm.com) and learned that they were making a documentary of the Camino. We had more in common than one would have guessed from just hearing two people speaking english as I have been filming pilgrims’ and special Camino events since 2009 and the opening of the Holy Door Celebration known as Puerta Santa and Xacobeo Holy Year Festival in July 2010.  It was this fun encounter and brief conversation that led to more special experiences and time on the camino.

As always with me it seems that “Synchronicity” taps on my shoulder or whispers in my ear and sometimes has to “nudge” me a little harder to get my attention and listen a little faster – and this time that was the case.  After sharing a little time together we decided to see about meeting up and sharing in some special camino time at Vilei / Barbadelo to share camino stories and take their picture for Rexistro 108 Vilei Global Pilgrims’ Photography & Video Project.

Monday arrived and we all met as the Travel Light Team was walking the Camino Trail as they turned the corner in Barbadelo and Vilei at German Limeres’s historic 150 year old + country house where we take the pilgrims’ pictures and video.  We shared a coffee and one thing led to another a fun afternoon making “barbacoa” BBQ Galician style.  It was wonderful to see Lauran and Ron again and to meet more of the Travel Light Team Lindsay Thompson, the Director/Co-Producer and Gabriela Quiroz, production assistant.  As we flowed with the Camino guiding us to share in some special time they decided to stop for the day and enjoy a little Camino Countryside with us.

As we were preparing for our Camino Barbecoa in came Jim Kazsynski with one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen.  From the moment you meet Jim you can feel his warm heart and genuine spirit.  He lights up and warms everyone’s hearts as he spends time with them sharing his personal journey and life passion.  Jim is a true believer in an abundant and giving universe and lives that experience in his daily life and was part of his mission on the camino to travel with the spirit that the Camino Provides just like pilgrims’ of ancient times.  Jim is living each day free in his heart, mind and spirit and he is truly making a difference in the world.  This is a powerful message I have been documenting on the Camino and in my projects since 2008 and has been for me a way of sharing my purpose in life.  So meeting Jim and sharing this time with Travel LIght Films was that dream and purpose in action.

Jim’s story is a powerful one of transformation and inspiration. Gabriela helped to continue Jim’s Camino experience of traveling with experiencing the generosity of heart by inviting him to stay at the albergue and I was excited that our barbecoa would share this same spirit adding a very special pilgrim to our Camino Picnic.  All inspired when Jim saw our photography sign inviting pilgrims’ to share in a FREE creative project documenting the faces and smiles of the pilgrims’ from around the world as we all share in the spirit of the Camino.

“WOW… what an extraordinary experience in my life! The Camino de Santiago is known to produce miracles in your life, and that it did. So much to tell you!

After 56 days of walking and putting on over 500 miles on my shoes, I took my final step in Santiago, Spain.  I did walk every inch of the way, carrying my overweight back pack every step.

I set out with several goals, to save a child’s life in Kenya and to prove that even today people have the compassion to help another in need just as the pilgrims did thousands of years ago. I was right, although I walked with almost no money for food; the pilgrim’s and the people of Spain were more than generous to feed me, not even knowing what my mission was. Yes, there were many nights, I went to bed hungry, but I did not starve.

I meet over a thousand people from 27 countries all which had their own Camino experience. No one can do this wrong! You do not have to walk the whole Camino to get enlightened about new options that are available in life.

I took over 4,000 photos and video plus recorded every day what I and others were going through, all coming in the next year.” – Jim Kaszynski

Thank you to Travel LIght Films and Jim Kaszynski for a very inspirational day in the Camino!!!

For more wonderful camino stories and information please visit:

http://jimscaminodesantiago.wordpress.com/

http://www.travelightfilm.com

I will be sharing more of Jim’s and Travel Light’s adventures in future posts. Hope you ENJOY!!! Have Fun Looking For YOUR SIGNS – They are SPRINKLED All Along THE WAY!!!

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