Barcelona

After leaving the Camino, I had the opportunity to spend three days in Barcelona. Wow! There was so much to see in such a short amount of time. My main hope was to see as much Gaudi art/architecture as possible in those three days.

Day 1 -- Park Guell & Royal Palace Fountain

I arrived in Barcelona in the morning. I headed from the airport, directly to my hotel, dropped my bags in the luggage storage closet, and set out for Park Guell. As it turns out, Barcelona is a REALLY big city. I had a trusty map, and managed to decipher it fairly quickly. But even with my (self-proclaimed) superb map-reading skills, it still took almost 2 hours to walk to Park Guell. Now granted, I did make a few stops to oogle over other architecture and cool-Barcelona-stuff, but I don't necessarily walk slowly. hmmm...maybe the subway would have been the better option. :)

Park Guell is a fantastic oasis for Barcelonians. I suppose it could be compared to Central park in New York...a huge green space in the middle of a large metropolitan area. There, I met up with one of my Camino cycling buddies (Jeff), and the two of us spent the afternoon exploring the park, searching for the all of the mosaics and creatures created by Gaudi. It was a lovely way to spend the day!

Later that evening, Jeff and I went to the Royal Palace neighborhood to join in a community celebration there. In Spain, each neighborhood has its own week-long fiesta each year. That night happened to be the final night of the Royal Palace neighborhood's fiesta. We took a picnic of local breads, cheeses, and cured meats. We ate our picnic at the main park while we watched a HUGE fountain laser/light show. The flow of the fountain was choreographed with music and lights to create a spectacular celebration of music, water, light, and community. So very fun!

Day 2 -- Sagrada Familia

The next day was my Sagrada Familia day. I walked to the cathedral early in the morning (after enjoying some cafe con leche, of course), and stood in line for about an hour before I was able to enter the grounds of Sagrada Familia. . While waiting, I was standing beneath the enormous spires, which can be seen from any point in the city. The church was designed to be the center of the city, equi-distant from mountain and sea, and visible from the sea so that its towers could be beacons of hope for sailors and merchants.

Awe-inspiring. There is simply no other way to describe the cathedral. Absolutely awe-inspiring. I spent the entire day soaking/basking in the beauty of Sagrada Familia. Words can't describe the immensity or the beauty of the church. I climbed up into the heights of the towers, walked down the snailshell stairs, gazed/wandered through the tree-like pillars, pondered the stories written into the stain glass windows, saw the workshop in which Gaudi and current workers build the pieces that become parts in the church, stared into the eyes of gargoyles and smiled at their expressions, gazed at the porticos and reflected on the stories contained in each one. Hopefully my pictures will give some sense of the grandeur, but really you simply need to stand in the apse of the church with dropped jaw, and be amazed that such a building exists and that such a community continues to dedicate itself to the Cathedral's completion.

After about 7 hours at Sagrada Familia, I took time to walk along the outside perimeter of the cathedral to take a last look at the architecture. I ended up in a park across the street from the church needing some more time for quiet reflection before heading back to my hotel. I walked in a relaxed manner through the park, enjoying some pensive meandering time in the park. Finally, I ended up sitting on a bench and spending a long time watching two groups of locals playing rollicking games of bocce. Delightful!

After walking back to my hotel, I stopped for dinner in my neighborhood and sat to reflect on the day. So much beauty!

Day 3 -- Palai Guell & St. Josef's Mercado

My last day in Barcelona was spent roaming the outdoor market in Barcelona (similar to our Pike place Market, but MUCH bigger...whoa!) and visiting Palai Guell (the Guell palace). Guell was a good friend and benefactor of Gaudi's work. He commissioned Gaudi to design and construct several buildings within Barcelona, including Guell Palace, and Guell Park. The Guell palace was one if Gaudi's first buildings and is most recognized for the whimsical chimneys on the top of the building. It was very fun to wander through the colorful and playful chimneytops that were positioned on a wavy rooftop (no flat surface on that roof).

Barcelona was remarkably different from the Galecian region of the Camino. While I fell in love with the Spanish countryside along the Camino, in Barcelona, I loved having the opportunity to stand in the places that we've been studying & learning about in the 2nd grade classroom. I'm excited to share the pictures and stories with OLG!

Well done, Spain! Well done!

Arzua a Santiago

Day 5 -- Arzua to Santiago

Day 5 is our final day on the Camino. We are scheduled to arrive in Santiago in the early afternoon. There is a heightened sense of excitement and anticipation as we all know we are very near to our destination. As we begin our day, we again have a choice -- ride on the road or ride on the Camino. No thought needed for me...three of us set out to ride the Camino. As soon as we set wheels on the Camino, there is a new energy in the air as everyone (all pilgrims -- peligrinos y bicigrinos) can sense the nearness of Santiago. Long journeys are coming to an end. Many of the pilgrims have traveled for more than 30 days (and over 850 kms), on foot or bike, to arrive in Santiago.

Today's ride was, again, one of joyful intentionality. We wound our way through forests and hills, up rocky roads, and down bumpy hills. With each pilgrim and passerby along the way, we exchanged a cheerful smile and excited "Buen Camino!" We passed through a forested lane full of handmade wooden crosses, made of twigs from the roadside. Each cross marked a prayer intention of a pilgrim.

After several hours of beautiful Camino riding, we came to the town of San Marco, and a gigantic monument to the pilgrims of the Camino. San Marco is an exciting and pivotal stop along the Camino...while standing at the hilltop monument, you catch your first glimpse of the spires of the Cathedral in Santiago. For the first time along your journey, you can actually SEE you final destination. You still have many miles to go, but you can SEE it. As pilgrims climbed to the top of the hill, people were filled with much jubilation...and some tears...as they gazed upon the towering spires of Santiago.

After a short stay at San Marco, we excitedly hit the trail again, knowing that we would soon be standing beneath those spires in the Plaza of Santiago. As we rode into town, a new sense of excitement filled the group. Almost there!!!!

As we wound through the busy streets of Santiago, on our way to the cathedral plaza, a new mood overtook the group. It became a quiet, reflective ride into Plaza de Santiago...journey's end. As we rode those final kilometers, I found myself reflecting on the past week's adventures -- the joys and the challenges, the highs and the lows, and gave great thanks for ALL. All of the people, all of the beauty, all of the emotions, all of the friends/family/community/ pilgrims who continue to support me, all of the people I met along the Camino, all of the blessings that are my life...ALL.

Catedral de Santiago towers over the plaza (it is massive!) welcoming the pilgrims at all hours of day and night. Pilgrims then enter the cathedral where the priests and bishop offer blessings and celebrate mass w pilgrims. Pilgrims bring their pilgrimage prayers & intentions to the cathedral to offer to God. Some carry the prayers of loved ones as well as their own, trusting that god will hear and answer them as they have completed their pilgrimage.

As we entered the Plaza de Santiago, we joined hundreds of other pilgrims gathering in the square and standing in awe of the towering spires of Catedral de Santiago. As we sat in the middle of the square, I prayed with the other pilgrims as I watched some gather with their companions, some kiss the ground, some collapse in tears of joy, and some sing in celebration of completing the journey. Many had traveled more than 850km and more than 30 days to get to Santiago, carrying all of their belongings with them. Through rain, sleet, sun, and heat. Over mountains and through valleys. Sleeping on cots, floors, or paths. As strong as my emotions were in that moment, I felt blessed to witness, share, and wonder at the emotions they felt as they entered the cathedral plaza. For me, there was great joy at having completed my journey. There was gratitude in my heart as I reflected on the journey of the past week. There was a little bit of sadness that the journey had ended. But mostly there was deep joy and inner peace in the connectedness I felt with my companions, my fellow pilgrims, and with my God, who is good and gracious in all things, who has blessed me with an amazing & beautiful life, and who speaks to me in the both the blustery blowing winds, and in the peaceful calm of rolling hills.

As I end my Camino journey, I send grateful blessings to each of you.

May you always hear the voice of God, and know that your voice is heard (even in the howling winds). May you find peace in your heart. May your days be filled with intentionality, recognizing the presence of God in all things. May your spirit soar with joy & laughter finding beauty in the small things around you. May you always be surrounded by loving companions to support you on your journey.

And may your life be one, great...Buen Camino!

Portomarin a Arzua

Day 4 -- Portomarin a Arzua.

Day 4 was a day of unexpected surprises and simple joy. I was gifted with the deep joy that comes from just being present to the moment, and being able to recognize the blessing of each moment and each encounter along the Camino.

Waking with the strong remembrance of yesterday's ride, I held my breath as I began my day. Not sure how the leg was going to feel after its little rest (it was still achy when I went to bed last night), not sure what the weather was going to -- more rain? more fog? cold? I had a calmness within me as I approached the day. I also had an excited giddiness within me...today was a day when we had the choice to either ride on the road, taking a less-challenging and slightly shorter route...OR...ride on the Camino at a slower pace and on a slightly longer route.

I didn't even have to think about it...Camino...definitely Camino. The slower pace and the scenic (though challenging), mountain-bike-type path called to me. I was so excited to be on the Camino again after being on the road, and in the van yesterday. There is something magical about that dirt path. The slower pace, the intentionality with which you need to pedal and navigate your way through the towns and countryside -- over rocks and stones, along cobblestones, among the local people, and amidst the other pilgrims. Intentionality...being keenly aware of where you are, what you are doing, and why you are doing it. Joyful intentionality.

As we set out of Portomarin, we were riding in a fog. I was tentative on the bike, not wanting to overstress my hamstring, but my heart soared and I was open to whatever was in store for me. Slowly and steadily, I eagerly headed down the hill and out of town. The group was all smiles knowing that today would be an "easy ride" compared to yesterday's very challenging route.

The fog was heavy as we left Portomarin, which is apparently a typical weather pattern since it sits high in the Galecian mountains. As we ventured down through the valley, though, the sun broke through the clouds, the blue sky shone overhead, and landscape was breathtaking. Rolling hills, lush green farms, quaint mountain towns, cobblestone paths, babbling brooks. It was simply stunning. As I rode slowly over the "rollers" (uphill then downhill, then uphill and downhill...like a rollercoaster), I couldn't help smiling at the amazing beauty surrounding me. As I rode along, I met two girls from Ireland who had begun their pilgrimage at the top of O Cebriero. We chatted excitedly about our home countries, our rides, our challenges along the ride (Ooooohhh Cebreiro!), and about our reasons for journeying to Santiago. I was so grateful for the chance to hear their stories, and recognized the light within them, in their smiles, their enthusiasm, and their care for each other (and their friendship). What a lovely way to begin the day!

I feel in love more deeply with Galecia and Spain on Day 4. As I made my way along the Camino, I was full of joy and gratitude for the beautiful hillcountry, lovely people, amazing stories, surprising connections that met me at every turn of the pedals.

Some of the highlights of the day included...

*meeting another pilgrim, who has been walking the Camino for almost a month no, who was also from Washington State. What a small world! Who would have thought that I'd meet someone else from WA at a tiny pilgrim's watering hole in the north of Spain. Whoa!

* having a picnic lunch at a medieval Castle -- it was closed for the daily siesta when we were there, but it was gorgeous and remarkable to be sitting in such an historical spot;

* lush, green, rolling farmlands as far as the eye could see;

* learning the stories of other pilgrims along the road;

* cobblestone bridges leading into and out of quaint mountain villages;

* spending the night in an old farmhouse complex -- the main house was converted to a lodge, and we stayed in the "servants' quarters which were in long buildings surrounding the main house;

* walking through the countryside in Arzua with two of my cycling companions, noting the similarities and differences between the Spanish, Canadian, and U.S. cultures;

* sharing a relaxing and scrumptious dinner with the group, full of laughter and great conversation;

* seeing countless stars in the night sky!! & being lulled to sleep by cowbells.

Day 4...a day of intentionality, JOY, and so much gratitude for life and creation.

gratitude

Blessings to you, and Buen Camino!