Holiday Fun

The Pilgrim Pouch celebrated the holidays in the San Francisco area. A visit was made to a favorite museum, the Neoclassical Legion of Honor. Constructed in 1915, the museum highlights ancient & European art and was featured in the Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo. 

The Pouch went for lunch in Novato at Jennie Low's. Traditional Chinese dishes have been served here since 1992. Jennie's cookbook Chopsticks, Cleaver and Wok includes her classic recipes.

Ring Mountain in Corte Madera overlooks San Francisco's skyline. The Pilgrim Pouch viewed the picturesque scene during a cool afternoon and carried a scarf along with other hiking essentials. 

Winter Cheers

Winter is here and the Pilgrim Pouch is ready for the holidays!
Where will it go to celebrate?

Pilgrim Pouch post Primitivo

Credencial sellos follow the Pilgrim Pouch's journey along "The Original Way." 

After the Primitivo, the Pouch has been taking a break. Time to plan 

what's ahead and the next adventure!

     

Adios Santiago

On the final day in Santiago the Pilgrim Pouch explored Alameda Park where decorative benches line walkways. The park contains more than 90 species of flora and over 1,500 trees & shrubs that shade visitors.

The Pouch watched a swan glide around a small pond at the park.

Santiago's Cathedral is currently undergoing cleaning & restoration work. Despite the scaffolding, the Pouch admired the Baroque facade that still captivates walkers as they finish their journeys.

At Santiago's train station the Pilgrim Pouch awaited our ride 

down to Madrid and then the flight home to the U.S.

Ultreia & Adios Spain!

Santiago Days

In Santiago the Pilgrim Pouch & I stayed at Hospederia San Martin Pinario, part of a former Benedictine monastery established in the 9th c. This historic hotel offers "pilgrim room rates" on the top floor.

Although basic, the pilgrim room is a welcome change from weeks of albergues with bunk beds & shared bathrooms. The view out the window was top rate too.

San Martin Pinario's common room includes a bar, TV, and internet access. Walkers & guests come here to use cell phones and tablets. Traveling high tech is no problem for the Pouch, which easily holds cell phones & small tablets.

By the cathedral in Praza das Praterias, the Pilgrim Pouch looked out to the 18th c. fountain with spouting horse sculptures. The horses support an angel who holds the star of St. James. Beyond the fountain is the cathedral's oldest extant facade & doorway from the original 12th c. Romanesque structure.

The Galician specialty Tarta de Santiago cake is displayed in a bakery window (lower right on the left). The cakes are sprinkled with confectioners sugar and feature a stencil of St. James' cross on top.

In Santiago

After almost 3 weeks on the Road, the Pilgrim Pouch arrived to Santiago de Compostela ready to explore this lovely city.

At the Convento de Belvis the Pouch rang the buzzer to purchase "biscuits," or cookies, made by Dominican sisters whose community originated in the 14th c.

The Pilgrim Pouch & I visited Ivar Rekve, the creator & manager of the Camino de Santiago forum & Casa Ivar, an online store of Camino products where the Pouch can be ordered.

Since 2004 Ivar's forum has provided information & answers to walkers' questions. In addition, Casa Ivar offers luggage storage service -- walkers can send extra gear or luggage ahead to pick up after the journey.

Periwinkle flowers sprout from stone walls at Santiago's oldest parish church, 12th c. Colegiata de Sar.

Final kilometers

The Pilgrim Pouch & I stop by a fountain with a St. James sculpture on the way to As Seixas. This town is the last one before the Primitivo joins the Frances route.

A bicycle & the Pilgrim Pouch made a perfect pair near Melide.