The Silver Way. Camino de Plata

[Rosina Lila]

Hello you all,
Regarding the queries of several list subscribers who have inquired about
commencing the pilgrimage in Seville, I can share the following information:
The Friends of Santiago Association is extremely active and willing to extend
much practical help and advise, (the friendliness of the people from
Andalucia is deservedly legendary)  They recently compiled and published a
wonderful Silver Way guide full of practical information, photographs, maps,
etc.  The guide may be obtained, free of charge, by requesting it directly
from the Seville Friends.
The Association's address is:  ASOCIACION DE AMIGOS DE SANTIAGO EN SEVILLA,
Calle Real de la Carreteria 25, atico, Sevilla, Spain.
During the winter time those in charge of mailings and inquiries are  in the
office from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  and from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. the rest of the
year; the telephone number is 954-21-80-80.
They will also mail a credential, free of charge, if you send them a) your
name, b) address, c) age, d) purpose of the pilgrimage, e) information as to
whether you will walk, go by bicycle or use other means and, f) the date and
place where you'll commence the pilgrimage.
These materials can also be obtained directly from the lovely and friendly
president of the Association' , (who is elected),  by writing to:
                         Maria Jesus Vegas Garcia y Bias
                         Calle Paraiso, 27
                         41940 Tomares, Sevilla
The above-cited materials may also be obtained personally in Seville by going
to the Cathedral (second in size and grandeur only to Saint Peter's in
Rome.... Columbus is buried there, as well as his children and Portuguese
wife, and other notables in Spain's history); the rectory is open from 8:30
a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The credential can be obtained,
and stamped, there, as well as the Association's wonderful new guide.
I'd like to volunteer a caveat: I do not think it possible for anyone to go
to Seville and not want to spend a few days there.  The city is endlessly
fascinating. The Cathedral alone with its museums, its historical treasures,
its Giralda and its Moorish gardens, beckons for at least a couple of days;
abutting it is the "Archives of the Indies" building which is mesmerizing for
those of us who hail from this continent.  The first map of America (drawn by
Amerigo Vespucci who wrote his name across it, giving our continent its
name), is there, as well as the first descriptions, impressions, samples of
native dress and musical instruments, etc., drawings of fauna and flora from
our parts, and on and on... It is just too difficult to tear oneself away.
And then, the city is beautiful, with its Gualdaquivir river through it and
its lovely avenues alongside, its many parks, its historic (and perpetuated
in literature) streets and churches, etc., etc., etc.
Once there, it is easy to understand why Seville has been the inspiration,
and the site,  for seven of the most worldwide beloved operas, of which
Carmen and Don Juan, (he was from there), are only two.
Well, back on topic: The Seville Friends Association has a very nice Web page
(in Spanish)  at     http://www.viaplata.org
you can also request the guide and/or credential by sending them an "emilio"
e-mail, to    Sevillaaviaplata.org
If you write to them in Spanish, Italian or French they will answer
forthwith, but if you wish to communicate with them in English regular mail
seems to be far more effective.
Again, if you see something in their Web which you would like translated,
I'll try to do it.
Regards,
Rosina
p.s.  The information is different for those who wish to start out from
Granada.  Let me know if you want to know about it.