El Primero Café Con Leche Del Dia Ramblings with Jose Vega

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1 NEXT CAMINO GATHERING: Saturday 17 August at 3.00 pm for 3.30 The Spanish Australian Club of Canberra WHAT IS THE CAMINO GATHERING? The Camino Gathering is a regular meeting for those that are interested in the 1,000 year old Spanish pilgrims walk through Spain called the Camino De Santiago. Over 100,000 people from all over the world walk some part of the Camino every year. There are many Camino routes in Spain but they all end up in the Galician capital city of Santiago De Compostela (Saint James of the Field of Stars). The Camino can range from 100km walk to over 1,500km and can be done walking, cycling or on horseback. PROGRAM Pre-meet social and drinks Jose s Spanish Trip Slide Show (no talk this time), Afternoon Tea/ Party, Social and General Q&A on the Camino. There will not be a formal talk this meeting so lets make it a social one and celebrate the Camino among friends! Let s Celebrate Please bring along a plate of food/ snacks to share peregrino style at this gathering! Be brave cook/ bring something Spanish. Please do not to bring any drinks into the venue as it is a licensed club and drinks are not allowed to be brought in. The Spanish Australian Club of Canberra allows us the use of the venue for free and on behalf of the Friends group I extend my gratitude to the Club s hardworking volunteer committee. All are welcome to come along and enjoy good company, Spanish wines and beers and riveting conversation! Check out the Friends website for updates: Canberra Friends of the Camino De Santiago Spanish Australian Club of Canberra ACT Inc 5 Narupai Place, Narrabundah, ACT, 2604 ph: (02) El Primero Café Con Leche Del Dia Ramblings with Jose Vega canberracamino@gmail.com Welcome to the Canberra Friends of the Camino August 2013 Newsletter. I would like to thank Andy MacDonald and Doug Fitzgerald for their talks at the July meeting. The Canberra Friends of the Camino De Santiago have now been in operation for over a year. My thanks to all those people that have contributed to the Canberra Friends by making presentations and also by been there and advising future peregrinos on the ways of the Camino. It is with some satisfaction that the Canberra Friends has become a useful forum for those, in Canberra and the region, wanting to walk the Camino. At least this is the feedback I am getting from those embarking for the first time on the Camino. We may seem a strange lot for some people. After all, with modern transport why bother walking! But here we are, a few Canberrans and one from Cowra, among the over 100, 000 peregrinos who backpack the Camino every year walking 100 kms to over 1,400 kms, in rural Spain. There must be something in it, when so many walk it and not just once. Not to mention those that have attempted it and for some reason not been able to complete it and are driven to return again. These peregrinos are to be admired and encouraged even more! At the July 2013 gathering Doug Fitzgerald gave a short talk on looking after your feet on the Camino and gave personal demonstrations of feet

2 2 Canberra Friends of the Camino De Santiago bandaging. Also Andy MacDonald gave an excellent and humorous talk on his walk focussing on levels of accommodation, food, social life on the camino and signage. Sometimes a one to one translation does not work. For example there was a sign in Spanish advertising: Comidas y Tapas which was translated into English as Meals and Lids. Now most people would know that the Spanish word tapas means a small snack. In fact the origin of the word tapas comes from southern Spain and refers to small plates, with small portions of food, that were placed on top of wine glasses to stop flies getting in. Hence the meaning of tapas to cover or lid! At the meeting we also undertook a forensic investigation (that is, a peek) of full backpacks proposed to be carried by two of our Canberra Friends, Judy and Jennifer, who by the way should now be walking the Camino. One of the backpacks came in at around 12kgs and the other at around 8 kgs. Using our group wisdom (everybody had an opinion and sometimes not the same!) we were able to reduce the 12kgs backpack down to 9kgs noting that the walk is being undertaken in summertime. Judy and Jennifer if you read this on the Camino, best of luck. We wish you the best on your walk and look forward to hearing your stories from your adventures. Buen Camino BOOKS OF THE CAMINO Sue Kenney s My Camino Source: Confronting/dp/ X Suddenly downsized from her corporate telecom career, Canadian Sue Kenney walked 780 kilometers on a medieval pilgrimage route in Spain known as the Camino de Santiago de Compostella. She went alone in the winter with the intention of finding her life purpose. Blended with her profound experiences as a pilgrim, her athletic discipline as a competitive world class Master's rower and her extensive background in the telecommunications industry, Sue offers a unique perspective by sharing the lessons and virtues of being a simple pilgrim on the Camino, as a metaphor for being on a life journey with purpose. Sue has written a second book called Confessions of a Pilgrim. Confessions of a Pilgrim dp/ /ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y/ Pilgrim, inspirational speaker, documentary filmmaker and Canadian author of the bestselling book My Camino, Sue Kenney returns to the Spanish medieval pilgrimage known as the Camino de Santiago de Compostela and walks 500 kilometers alone on the Portuguese Route. Prior to leaving, she is entrusted with a sacred Eagle Feather that is given to her by a Native friend as a result of a vivid dream. Her pilgrimage turns into a mystical quest when she is confronted with the challenge of finding a worthy recipient for this great honour before returning back home. An incredible story of courage. Robert Crew, Travel Editor, Toronto Star For more information click on

3 3 Canberra Friends of the Camino De Santiago FOODS OF THE CAMINO PART 1 By Jose Vega Andy at our last gathering talked about the foods he encountered on the Camino. Here is a snack or two of what you will find along the way (more next time): Tortilla Española A potato omelet very popular among pilgrims as they have stop overs before reaching the day s destination. Paella Popular rice dish served in a great variety of ways seafood, chicken, snails, pork, black or yellow. Great for lunches once you have reached your day s destination and can have a siesta after, which by the way you will need! Described as a Fiesta by itself. Tapas (or Pinchos) Popular pub (cafés, bars or tavernas) small snacks served in some places for free along with your wines or beers. A racion is a meal sized tapa. Menu Del Dia or Menu Del Peregrino Menu of the Day deals abound all around Spain. They usually consist of three course meals (first plato (plate), second plato and dessert) along with drinks (wine, water) and breads. Great for lunch after your day s walk. One of these and in the evening you will only need a bocadillo or tapas. Jamon Serrano or Iberico Cured ham. Again very popular with pilgrims on stop overs. Usually served in a sandwich (bocadillo) which is rubbed with tomato and olive oil. Churros Con Chocolate The chocolate is thick, rich and pudding like and the churros are light and crisp. Ideal breakfast.

4 4 Canberra Friends of the Camino De Santiago CORDOBA IN PHOTOS By Jose Vega Cordoba is a city in Andalucía, the autonomous region of southern Spain. Around 1000 AD according to National Geographic (and other sources) it was once the largest city in the known world, boasting a population of over a million. At that time it was ruled by the moors which came from northern Africa in the 8th century. It was a city in which Christians, Jews and Muslins lived in harmony and was a recognized center of culture with many libraries. This shows in its architecture where Roman, Jewish, Muslim and later Christian can all be found in a concentrated area. It also happens to be my home town, the placed I lived in until I was seven years old prior to migrating to Australia and the place I have visited many times. Cordoba is on the Camino Mozarabe which starts in Granada or Malaga and meets up with the Camino Via De La Plata around Medellin to Merida. Refer to cathedral. However most of the original mosque has remained preserved. It is known as the Mezquita Catedral de Cordoba though the Bishop of Cordoba would like to remove the references to mezquita the local council has refused this as it attracts a substantial number of tourist. So take a hike with me around Cordoba. On the other side of the Roman Bridge there is this fortification which protected Cordoba from the south side of the River Guadalquivir. Thank you to the Spanish Australian Club of Canberra ACT Inc. who continues to support this Friends group through the provision of free use of Club rooms and electronic equipment for our monthly meetings. Jose Vega for the Canberra Friends of the Camino De Santiago. The Puente Romano (Roman Bridge) showing the Mezquita Cathedral of the Cordoba in the background. The original site was a Christian Visigoth church of which can still be seen some parts, over this the moors built a mosque (mezquita) and when the reconquest of Spain occurred by the northern Christians they tore part of it and built a FACEBOOK: The Canberra Friends of the Camino De Santiago is on Facebook. To join us on Facebook: 1 Go to Like Pages in your Facebook account. 2 Search for Canberra Friends of the Camino 3 Once on the Canberra Friends of the Camino page click on Like Page. You will then receive our regular post in your Facebook account. Contributions on topics related to the Camino are always welcomed any time to this newsletter. We will place your article or letter in the next available newsletter. Please send text in Word, RTF or plain text along with photos to: canberracamino@gmail.com.

5 5 Canberra Friends of the Camino De Santiago This is the Ermita De Los Santos Martires which is alongside the Rio Guadalquivir. One of the crosses for the Crosses of May Festival competition. Cruces de Mayo is popular with tourist to Cordoba. There is a saying in Spain that May belongs to Cordoba because of the many fiestas in Cordoba during May which merge one into another. The two photos above are part of the Easter Week (Semana Santa) processions which run for 7 days of Easter either in March or April. The streets of Cordoba fill with people, processions, smoke from the candles, bars are full, people go out in their Sunday best, the militaristic sounds of the bands and the sounds of somebody spontaneously singing a saeta (a sorrowful song) makes for a very different experience.

6 6 Canberra Friends of the Camino De Santiago Walking through the old part of Cordoba. It s a bit tight when cars go pass you have to duck into an recessed doorway! Again hints of moorish motifs on this building along the old part of Cordoba. Moorish architecture on a building opposite the Mezquita Catedral de Cordoba. Entrance to the 10 day Feria of May in the Arenal de Cordoba. Spanish dancing, wines, foods, music.. Part of the Jewish section of Cordoba. Meson is the name in Spain for high class restaurants serving traditional dishes. If you ever visit Cordoba go in April/ May. Adios.

7 7 Canberra Friends of the Camino De Santiago Old fortifications to protect the old city of Cordoba. Water featured a lot in Moorish architecture in Cordoba mainly because there is not much in North Africa! A mode of transport to see the old parts of Cordoba in comfort (as long as it s not raining) Or you may prefer to take a quick spin...