The Camino de Santiago
I first heard about this pilgrimage route when I was an undergraduate studying Spanish in the north west of England. Then The Camino kept cropping up.
[Map courtesy of Facebook]
Several writers on Spain referred to it. I went on a course through the European Union Socrates programme which was held in one of the starting points, Jaca (Aragon).
Two parishioners from my local church in Cheshire did the walk and gave a talk in church one evening with slides, which I attended.
XXX wrote a book, as did Hollywood star Shirley MacLaine.
There was a TV series and a film. As it happens I live not far from the approved southern route.
Why this article now?
Today at my libreria in Ronda, I stumbled across a great illustrated book on the Camino. At just 19,95 euros I couldn't resist it. A belated birthday present from me to me.
I regret not walking The Camino when I was younger and fitter. Now, aged 75, I will not be able to manage it. Covid-19 left me with issues of balance, mobility and breathlessness, so, unless I do it by car, which I shan't, I will have to continue to enjoy The Camino vicariously.
Indeed the book I bought stated on the back cover:
The Camino at 20
More on the Camino
Laurie Lee
George Orwell
Washington Irving
Jaca 1998
I attended a European Union Socrates Programme Spanish course here. The course was a refresher course for professional linguists from across Europe.
Those two weeks count as one of the highlights of my life. Apart from the course which was excellent and the visits to schools, I drank cider in the traditional way, enjoyed a different part of Spain and - ahem - had a little dalliance omn the side. With a very open-minded German headteacher.
Thelwall
Shirley MacLaine
Her book "The Camino" was, for me, a disappointment. It was more a book about her mental state at the time.
TV Series
The Film "El Camino" (The Way)
This was a fictional Hollywood film from 2010, which starred Martin Sheen and was directed by his son Emilio Estevez.
I've not seen it but I will have a look sometime soon.
Me and the Camino
On my bucket list for 2025 is a visit to Galicia, the only one of Spain's 17 regions I've never visited. That will include a visit to Santiago de Compostela, the ultimate destination of all the pilgrimage routes along The Way of St James.
Otherwise, as I indicated earlier my experience of The Camino will be vicarious, ie at a distance.
© The Spanish Fly
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Paul Whitelock,
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Paul Whitelock,
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