Fresh Fish Along Camino Del Norte

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When enjoying Galicia and the Camino one of the very special pleasures is to see how locals enjoy the beauty of their country.  The special traditions that are alive in every city, town and village.  It has been a wonderful experience living in Galicia and always another day of discovery and adventure learning more about Galicia, the people and their traditions.  Nothing better than some fresh fish caught right at the shore to make for a perfect weekend experience.  Thank you Victor for letting us take your picture – more photos, places to visit and  fishing stories from Santa Cristina in A Caruña to come.

Sending Prayers & Loving Thoughts

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Sending prayers and loving thoughts to all the families, friends, and people involved in the Santiago tragedy – picturing angels bringing healing, comfort, love and care to all!!!

Thank you German Limeres for your inspiring photograph and post.

The Botafumeiro – Fridays 7:30 pm

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To experience the Botafumeiro in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is something that fills you with emotion.  Emotions that range from a sense of awe and wonder to smiles, tears of gratitude and joy and so much more. Every experience is unique and inspiring encouraging you again and again to witness it and reflect on the Camino!!!

 

“The Botafumeiro is a famous thurible found in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (in the past similar devices were used in large churches in Galicia, nowadays sometimes is used in the TuiCathedral). Incense is burned in this swinging metal container, or “incensory“. The name “Botafumeiro” means “smoke expeller” in Galician” – Wikipedia

Now every friday at the 7:30 mass the Botafumeiro will swing and inspire!!! If you are in town we know you will enjoy!!!

The “Pregón” & The “Pregónero” – July 22, 2013

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Santiago de Compostela is alive with activities and preparations for this years St. James Festival. There are many wonderful celebrations and events to participate during this extra special time one of them is the pregón which is held July 22 at 10:30 pm from the main balcony of the City Council at Plaza do Obradoiro. The “pregonero” is a honorary person who makes the opening speech and welcomes everyone in the city to enjoy the festival. This year the  “pregonero”  is Roberto Vilar, a popular comedian.

For more St. James Festival Information please visit:

www.santiagodecompostela.org

www.santiagoturismo.com

Thank you Nikki Incandela Johnson for your wonderful picture of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral  during Xacobeo 2010 a special memory now that it is almost St. James Festival July 2013.

Azabache – “The magic stone of the Road”

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There are many familiar sites that one enjoys when spending time in Santiago de Compostela.  Walking the historic streets in the old city one strolls past restaurants, bars, and stores windows displaying this traditional and beautiful Azabache art, crafts and jewelry.  It adds to the setting to learn of the ancient craft.Azabache – “Black Jet is a fossil material from vegetable origin that is located in a few places of the planet. The one that appears in the region of Villaviciosa’s Sea-coast (Asturias), from the Jurassic, is considered to be one of the best quality in the world

Exploited for thousands of years, and due to its relative shortage and the intense and brilliant black color that it gets once polished, it was considered a magic and protective stone, and it was very valued.

It was part of the popular jewellery in Spain; it was, worked in the shape of shells and images, a symbol of the jacobeas peregrinations  along its history; the amulets most used by all the social classes in Spain were made of black jet and taken to the New World, and it was accepted surprisingly well by the diverse cultures of the American continent.” – http://www.azabachedeasturias.com

Jet – The Magic Stone Trail – article:
“They brought to Compostela pilgrims arriving for the seven routes in ancient times. Perhaps for this reason, in origin related to the pilgrimages, the jet is considered as “the magic stone of the Road”.
“Since the beginning of the pilgrimage to Compostela, all who had just got along Route Xacobea stone memories in a jet. This practice would lead to one of the most characteristic groups of artisans of Santiago.
The jewel of craftsmanship Compostela is preceded by a magical. It said it was able to cure certain diseases such as the “falls” or “scrofula” and was widely used in the art of divination, so prolific in medieval Galician and even today, that this is a country of witches. However, the jet just in Galicia and it Compostela artisans imported from Asturias.
The jet was relevant industry in the Middle Ages valued for its ornamental beauty and the magical powers attributed to him. In Santiago were located most important workshops in the pilgrims had their best customers.Artisans of jet Compostela remain excellent teachers in the art of combining this stone to precious metals, making exceptional jewelry.” – Lo Mejor de Galicia – http://www.galiciaparaelmundo.com
You may enjoy visiting: Museo del Azabache Compostela
  • Address: Praza de Cervantes, 12, 15704 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña
    Phone: 981 55 28 07
    Hours: Thursday hours 11:30 am–2:00 pm, 4:30 pm–8:30 pm
Azabache Video Links:

Light Show & Fireworks Celebrations!

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It is a very special time in Santiago de Compostela as the city prepares for the Fiestas del Apostol. A city that is already full of activities and energy of pilgrims’ arriving will share in wonderful festivities, one of which is the St. James Light Show & Fireworks Event. July 24 at Midnight Celebrating St. James Day July 25, 2013.

It is a spectacular experience to share in and is one of the most wonderful and inspiring celebrations.  This year 2013 marks my 3rd St. James Festival experience and I am grateful and excited to share in this unique event again – they say 3rd time is a charm and this has been true for me as this year has been blessed with many incredibly special experiences on the Camino – MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS to my family, friends, fellow pilgrims, the Camino, Galicia and Spain for an experience of a lifetime!

Light Shows and Firework Celebrations at other beautiful locations – hope you enjoy! Thank you to Turismo de Francia en Espana for your post and beautiful pictures: https://www.facebook.com/Turismo.de.Francia.en.Espana (Catedral de Amiens, Gran Hotel de Cabourg, Notre Dame, Catedral de Estrasburgo, Pays del Loira)

 

Brussels – Bruges Camino Synchronicity – Meg Holmes

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The Camino called to me and made its invitation through many connected SYNCHRONISTIC events and experiences no matter where I was in the world.  At first it whispered its invitation and then the calling grew louder and louder till I was not able to resist it any longer.  Even in times of experiencing Santiago de Compostela, the pilgrims’ journey through their amazing stories and camino reflections I would never have imagined that I would have followed it all the way to living in Lugo Galicia – it has been a journey of a life time!  For me the Camino is many things but one especially is how we can use our gifts and talents working collaboratively with others to make a difference in the world.  If we follow our “synchronicities” and follow the signs that are before us our own “yellow brick” camino road is paved each step as we follow our spirits inner guidance and response to the Camino Calling Each One Of Us!

It is wonderful to hear others sharing their Synchronistic Experiences to the Camino – Thank you Meg Holmes for making your post and sharing your wonderful Camino journey Brussels – to – Bruges!!!

“Last week I was visiting Bruges. I stopped to change a camera battery and when I looked down I saw a camino shell waymark embedded in the cobblestones. Did the Way pass through Bruges? I did not know. Then in Brussels, as I entered the Grand Place I stumbled on another shell by my foot, and as we toured Brussels, I found others. So at the Cathedral I asked. Indeed, they informed me, the chemin passed through Belgium and referred me to the local tourist bureau. Before I left the cathedral I found a statue of St. Jacques holding the pilgrim symbols of staff, gourd, and wide-brimmed hat. The tourist bureau provided me a brochure and sent me on to the Catholic office by the St. Nicholas church. The gentleman there gave me a plausible account of the pilgrimage routes through Belgium and directed me to the Bon Secours church from which pilgrims set out from Brussels. Although the church was closed, I found still another shell imbedded in the sidewalk, the familiar blue and yellow waymark posted by the door, and symbols of the pilgrim decorating the door itself. I followed the shells until the Way diverged from my tourist route and pondered the mystery of having, unintentionally, walked my own mini-camino through Brussels and Bruges”. – Meg Holmes

HAVE FUN FOLLOWING YOUR SYNCHRONISTIC SIGNS!!!

Opportunity To Help The Cathedral

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The Camino inspires many things and one most important is the spirit of giving, charity and philanthropy.  To share and participate in something special helps to grow our hearts and spirits.  The Camino has touched all of our lives in very unique and wonderful ways encouraging a the spirit of giving to continue all over the world.

If you are interested you can visit the website and support the Cathedral de Santiago through your charitable donation by clicking the link below:

Support The Cathedral de Santiago

Thank you Luis Cañas Salvador for sharing this information. Thank you to Nikki Incandela Johnson for more of your inspiring photographs that remind me of our special times in Santiago de Compostela! Very grateful to you and all our Camino travel friends, Erik Williams, Nathalie Archer, Jaume Lopez Garcia, Marc Trujillo Isern, Angela Courtney, and Amy Soto for our December 2009, and July 2010 Xacobeo Travel Adventures!!!

Faces of Santiago – Zapatone

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Zapatone is a familiar face to pilgrims, visitors, tourists, and locals – and maybe the most photographed face in Santiago!  There are many images and reminders to those visiting the Santiago de Compostela and if one has made the Camino once ore more and arrived in the city are bound to bump into this historic Camino figure as he has welcomed people for many years!

Now that it is July and almost time for the St. James Festival I am remembering and wanting to thank my friends who so generously helped me in filming July 2010 during the Holy Year.  A very special thank you to Nikki Incandela Johnson, Erik Williams, Nathalie Archer, Jaume Lopez Garcia, Marc Trujillo Isern, Angela Courtney, and Amy Soto (who came just after and continued to share in some of the incredible Synchronicities along the journey). MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS POR TODO!!!

 

CCAMINA Coaching – Cocktail – Lunch For Pilgrims

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The Camino brings our spirits a new experience and adventure one that begins when we even contemplate the journey, it grows as we anticipate the experience, and begin to connect with a different part of ourselves.  As we Camino we immerse our whole “being” into the sights, sounds, tastes, feelings, and emotions that make up our pilgrimage.  We discover a new land and new things about ourselves, others and the world we live in.  It is said by many that once you Camino your life will be forever changed and that the journey of transformation continues as your “The Camino of Your Life” continues after reaching Santiago de Compostela.  Just like the Camino itself we know that life will be full of adventure, new discoveries and special sharing with others.

Now upon arriving Santiago de Compostela pilgrims have the opportunity to participate in a very special experience at the Paradores Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos with Mariela Villar Romaris, International Coach Specialist in the Camino de Santiago, who believes “The most wonderful trip that a person can make is to the center of yourself”.

Here is an opportunity to share in a very unique and special experience of personal development, growth working with powerful, interactive and integrated coaching techniques in Santiago de Compostela.

Monday –  Saturday

10:30 am – 13:30 pm Coaching Sessions

13:30 pm – Cocktail & Lunch Parador Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos

45 euros with credential

65 euros without credential

http://www.ccamina.com/compraonline.asp (please purchase the day before session)

For more information please visit: http://www.ccamina.com

Mariaela Villar Romaris

International Coach – Specialist in the Camino de Santiago

CCAMINA Founder and Director

info@ccamina.com

Tel: (34) 606 82 26 25

Sponsored by: Paradores Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos, Santiago de Compostela – Parador Museo Santiago – Concello De Santiago – Turismo De Santiago de Compostela