Botafumeiro Inspires

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In remembering my first trips to Santiago during Puerta Santa Holy Door Celebration of December 2009 and then for Xacobeo St. James Festival in July 2010 during the Holy Year the experience of the Botafumeiro has always touched and moved my heart and spirit.  It inspires a sense of wonder and captures your full and total attention where it seems nothing else can enter your thoughts.

It has always been a very special experience on our regular visits to Santiago to be fortunate to share in witnessing this when we are lucky enough that during one of the masses it is celebrated at the end – usually during the midday pilgrims mass. Truly incredible and outstanding!!!

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Thank you Bruce Smith for posting today – was a perfect way to begin my day:

 

You may also enjoy seeing how the Botafumeiro is spreading around the world in Madonna’s World Concert Tour 2012:

Ribeira Sacra Camino Trails

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Galicia is full of history, legends and myths that with each step you can feel immersed in its magical past and unique culture and traditions. Your heart is inspired to explore more and more this rich, vibrant and alive land.

You may enjoy exploring the camino trails of Ribeira Sacra. One of the first routes that you can journey on, is that of the Canyons of Sil, without doubt the most beautiful to be found in Galicia. This first tour takes place by the Ourensana, visiting some of the monasteries in the area, with explanations of its history, its legends and a simple and entertaining interpretation of the symbols of Romanesque art, which sometimes we do not see but may surprise you.

The route also runs through some of the most spectacular viewpoints in the area, with 500 meters of climbing almost vertically over the river Sil, and a number of known sites not listed in the guidebooks, but we believe that you will like.

For more information please visit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruta-do-Viño-da-Ribeira-Sacra/180416552015111

Camino Inspires Creativity!

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There is something about the Camino that Inspires CREATIVITY – the time spent in nature, a long walk with yourself reflecting on life and your desires for new experiences and personal expressions, the companionship of other pilgrims on The Way each on their own journey.  Wishing everyone a magical camino experience where you can let your SPIRIT Soar to new heights!

 

A Galician Spring Welcome!

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Squirrel Camino (you have to click on this link to see his HELLO!

As you know we have been waiting for sunshine and warmer weather – but here is a picture that should warm your heart till more sunshine arrives.  Loved this picture and had to add the caption and the American Pilgrims on the Camino logo – looking forward to meeting more of you and sharing Camino stories – Bo Camiñno!

American Pilgrims On The Camino – in Palas De Rei

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Was such a pleasant surprise and wonderful experience to meet Kris Ashton (Denver, Colorado) and Chris and Pete Schloss (Kansas City, Missouri).  I saw the beautiful yellow gold logo of the AMERICAN PILGRIMS ON THE CAMINO on Kris’s jacket and I had to say HI!  Wishing you all the best as you continue your Camino Journey!

We are excited to be new members and look forward to meeting more of you when you camino and visit Galicia! Bo Camiño!

The Winter Way – Even In Springtime!

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Since it still looks like WINTER here in Galicia – with Spring showing its face only briefly every week –  you may enjoy trying a different camino adventure along the historic route known as The Winter Way.

Discovered by the Romans the route followed the rich gold-bearing basin of the Sil, southern Lugo, and the Roman tunnel of Montefurado crossing the flatlands of Chantada and the land of Ribeira Sacra and continuing on.  The Winter Way connects with the French Way at Ponferrada and follows the southeastern route up to Santiago avoiding the mountain range of O Cebreiro where we are still having snow…

For more information please visit: http://camino.xacobeo.es/en/routes/winter-way557930137_512-1

Roof Top Tour Santiago De Compostela Cathedral

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Arriving in Santiago de Compostela is a truly memorable experience packed with much emotion and special meaning for every person arriving whether they are a pilgrim having completed their camino experience, entering the city as a tourist, or a visitor like  me enjoying regular trips to this historic city it always holds a very unique and wonderful feeling.

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Especially for pilgrims the opportunity to walk on top of the Cathedral provides an incredible vista – an expansive view – looking around the city that called to each pilgrims heart a desire to experience the camino.  It is a place to celebrate and remember some of the special moments that were a part of your journey and also the view makes a new invitation encouraging one to experience yet another journey and explore a different route of the Camino – perhaps the Northern, English (known as the Slow Way), Portuguese, Primitive, Via De La Plata (Silver Way of St. James),  Argonese, or perhaps to continue your camino journey to Fisterra (The End of the World) and Muxia.

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No matter what it is a special place to take a picture to remind you of the experience and help you to share your camino stories with family and friends. It is an experience that you will enjoy again and again on your visits to Santiago de Compostela.

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It was a real pleasure to accompany my new pilgrim friends Osvaldo Beltramini, Jr., his father Osvaldo, Osvaldo’s Jr.’s brother Franciano from Brazeil and Marion Brandenburg from Germany on the roof top tour of the Cathedral followed by wine at my favorite Vinoteca O Beiro a wonderful historic place to toast friendship and the camino with new friends! Thank you for a very special time together and I look forward to the next time we can celebrate Camino stories together.

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For More Information Please Visit: http://www.turgalicia.es/visita-as-cubertas-da-catedral?langId=en_US

Peaceful Sunsets and Pleasant Camino Dreams

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With rain continuing Galicia and just a few breaks of sunshine on the flowers blooming – was a peaceful time to reflect on special time in nature and all its beauty.  Pleasant Dreams and wishing everyone a Fantastic week of creativity and inspiration!

Camino Inspires A Spirit Of GRATITUDE

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Beautiful thought and is part of the true blessing of the CAMINO experience for there are so many experiences to be GRATEFUL for – Bo Camiño!
Have fun seeing how many things you can be grateful for each day – so much to appreciate and remind us to open our hearts and express our gratitude!

Fiesta de Santa Rita – Patron Saint of the Impossible!

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There is a beautiful festival known as the Fiesta de Santa Rita, the Patron Saint of the Impossible, held in the town of O Barco De Valdeorras May 17 to 22, 2013.  Just 64 km from O Cebreiro. There are many activities for children and adults alike.  It was still snowing yesterday when we visited O Cebreiro so if you are looking for a little camino within your camino letting some of the harsh weather pass you may enjoy experiencing the festival dedicated to the IMPOSSIBLE – which is a wonderful symbol of the CAMINO spirit!