November 1, 2022. The leaves are down and it rained yesterday. But today was unseasonably warm and sunny, so Alice and I headed out to Lowell to hike the North Country Trail north to Fallasburg. We arrived around 10, with numerous Halloween decorations posted from various houses. One house, next to the cemetery seemed to …
I was fortunate to arrive home in time to help photograph Grand Rapids’ Day of the Dead celebration, now in its second year. This event aims to reconnect immigrants and their children with the history and traditions of Mexico, history that many people coming from tiny ranches or towns never learned. The Day of the …
October 29, 2022 The white Toyota hybrid pulled up outside our little apartment on Calle de Santiago in right on time and we jumped in. The rush hour was brutal for getting out of the Old Quarter of Madrid, but we had planned an hour to get to the airport and it was plenty. The …
Today marked the Festival of Transhumance, a day in which ancient rhythms of the earth and shepherding are honored by having large flocks of sheep and goats move on their way to their winter grazing grounds, and pass through a major city, such as Madrid. Today, as we reach the end of the summer grazing …
Transhumance Festival – All Saints, Samhain, and Halloween connected. Read More »
I have always considered flamenco to be a fascinating dance form with complex roots. Some state that its roots are in southern Spain, and others point to gypsies who originated in India. Spain has not been rapid to embrace flamenco, which rapidly became identified with the country, and yet to many in Spain was considered …
I’ve never managed to get to Madrid, and for that reason it was a bit of a mystery to me as we pulled up in our train on the northwest side of the city. As often happens, my Google directions didn’t quite prepare me completely. It was not in fact a transfer to subway at …
After our tumultuous arrival in Santiago and spending a nice evening with friends in the blues bar, we took an extra day in Santiago, to be sure to go to the Pilgrim’s mass at noon. This is the famous mass with the giant incense burner that swings the whole width of the Cathedral. We arrived …
October 18, 2022. We arrive in Santiago! We arose from our little Pension with anticipation. After a croissant and coffee we were energized to hit the road. Soon we were on the broad dirt camino through the woods and farms, with little cafes and churches scattered along the way. The weather was perfect with nearly …
October 17, 2022. We join the Camino Francés. Last night the wind and rain whipped through Arzúa and we wondered how much of today would be very unpleasant of a rain day. But things were already clearing this morning, still with clouds and mud, but no rain, and the clouds lifted and we finally saw …
October 16, 2022. Closing in on the prize. In order to get the ”Campostela” certification, one must have the Camino passport stamped twice a day during the final 100 km, not just once. That gets a little tricky if you eat and sleep in the same place and don’t stop much, but don’t worry, we’ve …
