Santiago De Compostela

The last five kilometers of the Camino were long and seemed to never end. When we arrived in Santiago de Compostela, our energy was low but our spirits were high. Winding through the stone laid corridors past the aged yet stunning architecture, we finally reached our end destination.  The Cathedral of Santiago stood tall and powerful as the sun lit up its many intricate carvings and sculptures. As soon as we witnessed the magnificence of the Cathedral, we felt rejuvenated and ready to continue exploring. The sun was shining and the weather was perfect for us to enjoy all that this amazing city had to offer.

 

Camino de Santiago

For a thousand years, pilgrims from all over the world have followed the footsteps of Saint James along an 800 km trail from San Jean Pied de Port France to Santiago de Compostela Spain, where his remains are believed to be buried. I have been wanting to do this trail through Northern Spain for a long time. This incredible journey of  the last 110 km was made even better when my parents decided to join us. They flew all the way from Utah with only their backpacks and their walking shoes, ready to join the pilgrimage.

We started in Sarria where we were greeted with yellow arrows and seashells, the signs of the Camino. The trail kept us in wonder as we passed miles and miles of magnificent scenery of farm country, wild forests, quaint villages and green rolling hills. On the trail we met pilgrims from all over the world and had experiences we will never forget. Even though the days grew long and our feet grew tired, we kept marching toward our end destination...

Hit the Streets

The walking path along the beach brings out street vendors, performers, artists, musicians and beggars all trying their hands at making a few Euros. We decided get a head start on selling rope sandals on the streets this summer and joined them over the weekend. We asked a few other street sellers if they had permits and no one had any, so we didn't worry about it.

It went surprisingly well. We sold way more than we expected to. Our spirits were up and we took it as a good sign that things were going to work out for us this summer. Then suddenly it all took a turn for the worse. An undercover cop showed up, demanded to see our permit and immediately started confiscating the rest of our sandals when we couldn't produce one. Evidently, the cops don't care as long as no one else cares. Someone had called the police and reported us.  We just couldn't understand why someone would do that. We think that maybe it was a local shoe seller who didn't want the competition, but who knows.

The officer told us once we get the permit to sell on the street we could get our sandals back. So we went down to the city hall Monday morning to apply for a permit.  Whether it's an ill-willed individual trying bring you down, or something else, there will always be opposition in life, but come what may, we will do our best to keep our chins up and stay positive, confident it will all work out in the end.

Earth Day

In honor of Earth Day, Dustin and I headed to the nearby mountains that follow along the Atlantic coast. I can't quite put it in words what it is about being outdoors that I can't get enough of. Whether its the smell of mountain pines or salty sea air rolling in off the coast, when I take a deep breath of the fresh stuff, I can feel it recharging my soul.

There is a peace and serenity that comes with being in nature; it is the only time when my mind is completely calm and free of thoughts. I don't consider myself the most religious person, but when I am among God's beautiful earthly creations is also when I feel his existence the strongest; I just know such beauty and marvels could not have come about by accident...

Did you celebrate Earth Day in any way?

a Hike, the Ocean, and a New Word.

After weeks upon weeks of rain, San Sebastian has finally been blessed with some good weather. When the sun hit our window in the morning, we immediately strapped on our RopeSouls and headed outdoors. We grabbed some friends and headed up into the mountains for a great hike along the coast with some incredible views. When Dustin started to feel a bit "pecking" (a new word our Australian friend taught us. See below for definition) we stopped for lunch on a grassy knoll with a view of the sea. We enjoyed great conversation and a typical European lunch complete with baguettes, chorizo, mediterranean olives, fresh veggies and of course copious amounts of cheese. We only have two months left before we head out into the unknown of living in a van and travelling Europe. I am grateful for moments like this where we have the chance to take in all the beauty that San Sebastian has to offer.

Do you know any other austrialian english words?