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Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment.

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By Walk Help Roam
July 16th 2008

Language update

Europe » Spain » Galicia » Sarria

In the shade on a hot afternoon

This feels like a good time for an update on our language progress. It's fair to say we're making steady improvement although our grammar and vocabulary perhaps worryingly limited to the more functional actions of the day. Conversational Spanish is still relatively embryonic as the locals high linguistic tempo and varying phrasiology send us quickly to a place where we do not have the grammic fire power to survive. However, careful analysis of the Spaniards bar and cafe chat has unlocked a few useful keys to our future progress. These are the six words that can help bluff you through any [View Full Entry]

By tom dabomb
July 15th 2008

Finisterre to Figueira da Foz, Portugal

Europe » Spain » Galicia » Cape Finisterre

The Boys crossing into Portugal

With only a few hundred kilometers left of spanish coastline to cover, we enjoyed the day cruising through the small towns that lay between Finisterre and Baiona. We camped out just north of the Portugal boarder, deciding to tackle a new country and language after a good night´s rest. Our fisrt encounter with people from Portugal was at a carny...and yes there are even midgets in Portugal. We quickly discovered that portugese is not an easy language to fake. You should´ve seen us trying to order a round of hot dogs. Later in the day we pulled into a busy campsite [View Full Entry]

By Domingo
July 14th 2008

Santiago de Compostela

Europe » Spain » Galicia » Santiago de Compostela

Catedral de Santiago
Hecha durante el Barroco muy ornamentada.

Aqui estoy en Santiago de Compostela y estoy verdaderamente fascinado con todo. El clima es excelente, hay un sol fuerte pero con una temperatura super fresca (65º a 75º). El curso para profesores es EXCELENTE. Se nota que lo han organizado muy lógicamente y con detalle. Por las mañanas tengo una clase de Teatro español del siglo 20, después una de como usar textos literarios en clase y después una clase de historia de España pero desde el punto de vista de la mentalidad de la España de la época, no tan solo datos de reyes y reinas ad infinitum. (que [View Full Entry]

By morganajones
July 13th 2008

We made it to Santiago!!

Europe » Spain » Galicia » Santiago de Compostela

Three days down!!
Valentina, Teresa, Loreto, and me relaxing after our third day on the Camino

Hello everyone!! Well, I'm back in Houston already. I can't believe that it's all over. But I can't tell you all what an amazing experience it all was. Mom arrived safely in Madrid where I picked her up :) We explored Madrid a little and started our way back to the Camino. It was so great to have her there with me. There are so many times when I travel and think, " man, I wish my family was here to see this." And for the first time, mom was with me!! She and I joined back up with the crew [View Full Entry]

By Walk Help Roam
July 13th 2008

¿Big hill?

Europe » Spain » Galicia » Sarria

The view from this hill

Two days ago we crossed the highest point of the Camino. O Cebriero is the village that sits on top of this climb. The night before we were due to cover this accent there was many a worried glance between Pilgrims in the refugio as they cooked up their carbohydrate to prepare for the following days excertion. Some (including those who had walked as far as we have) had even gone so far as to arrange for their backpack to be especially transported for them as they felt unable to make it otherwise. Pilgrims can be a strangely worrisome bunch at [View Full Entry]

By CaminoGirl
July 5th 2008

I made it to Santiago and the end of the Camino!

Europe » Spain » Galicia » Santiago de Compostela

Santiago at last!
I arrived on July 5th after 35 days of walking across Northern Spain.

July 5, 2008: After 500 miles and 35 days of walking, I've finally arrived in Santiago! My feet are very happy about this, and my blisters are healing nicely. I'm staying in the old city near the cathedral for a few days to relax and explore the city. I attended the daily pilgrim mass at the cathedral and watched in amazement as the largest incense burner in the world swung over our heads from a pully above, powered by half a dozen priests pulling on the other end of the rope. The swinging of the giant "botafumeiro" was originally used to [View Full Entry]

Reunited with Patricia (Brazil) and Miranda (Netherlands) in Santiago

By nidea
July 3rd 2008

Camino 12. Santiago de Compostela

Europe » Spain » Galicia » Santiago de Compostela

Catedral de Santiago de Compostela

See text in English below 23 de enero de 2008. Miércoles No voy a decir que lloré, porque no lloré, pero me emocioné más de lo que en un principio había sospechado y los ojos se me humedecieron. Y eso que la catedral de Santiago no es precisamente un lugar de reflexión, reposo, oración y recogimiento: ruido de cientos de pasos, gente charlando y destellos de flashes. No importa que en la nave central se está celebrando la misa más importante del día: la misa del peregrino. Después de estar un rato sentado ya ese ruido pasa a ser un run [View Full Entry]

By tom dabomb
July 1st 2008

Ribadesella to Finisterre

Europe » Spain » Galicia » Cape Finisterre

Gijon Point Break
Another classic sunset session...all to myself.

We pulled into a camping site in Gijon on June 18th. Our camp site overlooked the sea and that evening we had sloppy joe's on the bbq and watched a new swell roll in. We stayed here for two nights just bummin around and taking day trips to nearby towns. We found this old abandoned pier and jumped off of it into the ocean. On the second evening I surfed a point break on the edge of the town beach. No one else out, just me and the sea monsters. From Gijon, we drove to La Coruna, which is one of [View Full Entry]

By CaminoGirl
June 29th 2008

Galicia - Celtic Spain

Europe » Spain » Galicia

Ascending the final mountain pass into Galicia

Here are photos from the last couple of weeks on the "Camino"... I´m in the providence of Galicia. It was originally settled by Celtics, and still maintains its Celtic culture. Because it´s located between the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, it gets much more rain than Southern Spain. Oftentimes, it´s misty and rainy. As I get closer to Santiago, the scenery is getting more lush and green... I´ve been walking with a few people from Ireland who say it reminds them very much of their homeland. [View Full Entry]

Thatch-roofed house in the village of O´Cebreiro

By nidea
June 25th 2008

Camino 11. Llegada al monte del gozo. Arrival to the hill of the joy

Europe » Spain » Galicia

Hórreo

See text in English below 22 de enero de 2008. Martes La revuelta irmandiña fue una revuelta popular. La nobleza gallega llevaba mucho tiempo cometiendo abusos e injusticias, especialmente contra los campesinos y al final llegó un punto en que llegaron a estar molestos. Unos años consecutivos de malas cosechas y pestes terminaron por tocarles definitivamente las pelotas, y no aguantaron más. Bajo el liderazgo de algunos miembros de la baja nobleza (que también por lo que se ve estaban hasta las pelotas), se juntaros a los campesinos otras gentes de las ciudades, otros hidalgos y [View Full Entry]

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