21 Comments
User's avatar
Sandy Shaller's avatar

Lois, first of all I'm glad you got the bandage for your knee. I hope it kept everything in place. As always your magnficient retelling of your trip had me wishing that I had made that pilgrimate with you. I also remembered that our junior high school Spanish text was called "Camino Real" which was a beautiful book that I wish I still had. If I ever see it in a used book store, I will snag in It not only taught you the language, but the cultural history of Spain with wonderful illustrations.

I was able to find my Sixth grade reader which was a novel by Newberry award winning author Elizabeth Coatsworth. It is called "Runaway Home" and is illustrated by the great Gutav Tenngrenn who has also illustrated "King Arthur," "The Canterbury Tales," "Grimms Fairy Tales," and designed the look for Disney's original animated "Pinoccho." You brought all this back for me. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Wow, Sandy! Grimm’s Fairy Tales? Does your copy of it have the story, “The Cat’s Wedding.” That used to be my favorite story when I was little, but I’ve never been able to find a copy of it since.

Back to the Camino. There’s no time like the present. You can still do it. The Camino has become so popular that there are many options available now. Check it out on the Internet, it might be a lot more feasible than you think.

Yes, I was fortunate to get the type of knee brace I needed. I would have had to stop without it. I walked the Camino two years later with my bff and I made sure I packed a supply of knee braces so I would have them.

Best to you, Sandy!

Expand full comment
Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

It's incredible you're doing the journey, Lois. It looks beautiful--and Imagine getting into the walking groove takes a while. Also, love that the town refused to be submerged and moved it, stone by stone. Great story. Buen viaje ! Peligrina! (or is it 'o.' at end as in all pilgrims are masculine in the language).

Expand full comment
Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Hey Jeanine, That is amazing that they transported the entire town, rock by rock, brick by brick. It was an ancient town that had been there since the 9th century and they didn’t want to let it go. The whole town was duplicated on top of the hill exactly as it had been.

It is perigrina. Women are perigrinas. Men are perigrinos. A “group” with a man and woman/women is perigrinos. Typical Spanish.

It takes about half a day to get the walking groove going. After that it is auto-pilot all the way.

Expand full comment
Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

A fascinating journey for you! So interesting about the town. What history.

Expand full comment
Jo l jeffus's avatar

Tex looks like someone out of Toy Story!

Expand full comment
Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

I hadn’t noticed… but you’re right. Lol!

Expand full comment
Bill Southern's avatar

Sounds like quite an adventure - I look forward to hearing more.

Expand full comment
Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Thanks Bill. It was an adventure. More to follow. It’s a long walk.

Expand full comment
Trudi Nicola's avatar

Love this!

Expand full comment
Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Thank you so much, Trudi. I’m glad you enjoyed reading it. Best to you!

Expand full comment
Heidi Zawelevsky's avatar

This is such a great travel story, Lois. Humbling for sure to have to find a secluded rock. Part of the pilgrimage along the way. You tell it with such verve and humor.:)

Expand full comment
Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Thank you Heidi. We have several episodes to go before we get to the destination. It was one of the most memorable things I’ve ever done and I highly recommend it.

As for the humor…. I had to laugh or cry. (I did cry… but that comes down the road.)

Expand full comment
Barry's avatar

Lois, that was absolutely wonderful!

Expand full comment
Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Hey Barry, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Buen Camino! There are more episodes to follow as we still have a lot of walking in front of us before we arrive at Santiago de Compostela.

Best to you!

Expand full comment
Barry's avatar

I look forward to them Lois!

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

Such an interesting pilgrimage walk, Lois. Great for the townspeople of Portomarin to refuse having their area destroyed as well. Thank you for sharing.

Expand full comment
Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

I agree. It’s amazing that they completely moved the entire town and put it back together, piece by piece, in the exact original form on top of the hill. That is perseverance! The town was built in the 9th century, so they were really preserving history.

Best to you, Neil.

Expand full comment
Emese-Réka Fromm's avatar

That's a lot of walking! So impressed! Hope your knee was ok for the rest of the trip. Just catching up with your trip, off to read the next episode.

Expand full comment
Lois Thomson Bowersock's avatar

Thank you so much for check that out. That’s very thoughtful of you. It isn’t the Cat’s Wedding I’m thinking about. It is still a mystery to me why I can’t find the story. Have a great day, Sandy.

Expand full comment