Autre Studies Culturale

Along with language, our studies in France include other important aspects of the French culture. One that can hardly be overestimated is the Culture d'Fromage (aka) the culture of cheese. Fortunately we have made friendly contact with the proprietor of the largest neighborhood fromagerie and we have begun our cheese education with bleu cheese (which is wonderful with a ripe pear and port or red wine). A great activity for a Sunday afternoon...

Week 2

Working hard on French in week 2. Starting to realize just how essential the pronunciation is. Great weather the last few days... Pix from our walks home after school.

School Days in Paris

4th day at Alliance Francaise complete. We are in a class of 11 with all our classmates quite a bit younger. We are the only Americans. So far it's challenging but we are in for the long haul. Teaching method is fast; you build your own vocabulary and most teaching is in French with teacher switching to English as a common language when everyone is lost. Pix are our 2 mi walk each way to school.

Sunday in the Park

Sunday, 16 June. Today we searched out one of those quiet corners of Paris for a Fathers Day picnic- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th District. We walked the two miles there, going by the Place de la Republic where the Bastille stood. The Parc has views to the east of the city and we could see (and hear) the planes flying over the Paris Air Show. Never knew a 4 engine transport could do a climb straight up like a fighter, but one of them can!!

We are in business - IN PARIS!!!!!!

Arrived in Paris at 1145 after midnite departure from Burgos. Took possession of our apartment; got hold of the movers; got them to our friends to pick up our stuff; got it loaded, transported across the city and delivered - all by 4:45. We are going to collapse tomorrow...but we are ready to go to work the day after!!!

Can it be only 8 weeks since we started climbing out of St Jean and began the Camino? Where did the time go?

Back to Santiago; the Hegira continues...

Friday we bussed from Muxia back to Santiago and got tix for 24 hour train trip (6 hr layover in Burgos) to Paris on Sunday, arriving Monday am the start of our lease. Rainy Saturday in Santiago was enough to get clothes washed, spend some quiet prayer time attempting to put this whole journey into perspective, have great tapas and watch the pilgrims come into town. Pix are us in front of the cathedral and a couple more shots of sunset at Muxia.

Day 53 - the end of the Way at the Sea

Our pilgrimage is finished after 53 days and just short of 900 km after we began at St Jean Pied de Port on 15 April. We reached Muxia today and went to the Atlantic where there was the last of the blue markers that have guided us for so far. And so it ends.

Day 52 - the Way to Muxia

Decided Wednesday to go to Muxia rather than Finisterre when the Way forks at Hospital because the next hostal was closer. Big mistake. The accomodation we thought we were going to was closed and next was another 10km, so we got our first 30 km day on the Way, arriving in after 7pm.

The Camino Finisterre-Muxia is like the Camino Frances, well marked, lots of big hills and few flats, but fewer towns and facilities. We have not seen an open Mercado in 3 days. Plus it has finally gotten hot, so this part has turned into much more of a physical challenge than we expected in week 8. Carrying enough water was a concern.

Days 51 & 52 - What about that bus, John?

On the road to Finisterre since Monday am. It has finally gotten Hot; an object lesson in being careful what you ask for. As we approach the coast, the hills are sftill there and the terrain is still quite difficult - on Tue we were barely able make 20 km. Pix are from the road, including Trish soaking her feet in one of the icy streams. We are in an Albergue tonight and the French group will be out at 530 or 6am so we are guaranteed an estly wake up and departure (that is if the two Frenchmen in the corner ever shut up and let the rest of us get some sleep).

Day 49 & 50 - Santiago & beyond....

Went to the Pilgtrims mass on Sunday, 1Sep, saw the large incense burner deployed. Pretty amazing. We prayed for all of our friends and loved ones- so if you are reading this, you were prayed for in Santiago. Sunday evening we had farewell dinner with Australian and Swedish friends from the Camino. Monday morning,day 50, we set off for Finisterre.

Day 48 - it is finished, but not over...

Saturday, 1 June. We have arrived in Santiago and have received our Compestellas, officially completing the Camino in 48 days. Will work up more statistics later but the only one that really matters is 800; that's 800+ km walked when you add side trips, etc.

Pix are from the last day's walk including the beautiful eucalyptus forrests and the pilgrim monument at the outskirts of town.