[Gocamino] Santiago books

[Blaroli at aol.com]

Hello yo all, 
I've recently received the package I sent to myself from Santiago and can now 
post the information that you've requested 
Before I do that, though, I'd like to tell you that mailing packages from 
Spain can be done two ways:  the ordinary way which is by plane and is fairly 
costly,  or the "Economic" way, "en la superficie" (on the surface),  which is by 
ship and costs about 75-80% LESS.  One needs to specify clearly that the 
package is to be sent the Economic way, on the surface; otherwise they'll just 
process it to go by air. 
Packages sent by ship do take between four and six weeks to arrive in the US, 
but they do arrive.  I have  received every single  package I've sent to 
myself. Also, books  and publications, as well as religious items, are absolutely 
free of USA import tax (customs' duty);  since the contents are listed in the 
import declaration  packages containing such items are not, as a rule, held 
for fiscal inspection here when they arrive here. 
The book that was being sold with a DVD of Coelho showing portions of the 
Camino Frances, and waxing eloquently about them and the Camino, is called "EL 
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO" , and is  not at all related, in form or content, to Coelho' 
super popular Camino Pilgrim's  book.  This one has no listed author(s) and 
the introduction is signed by no one.
This gorgeous book weighs almost 5 pounds despite its consisting of only 360 
pages; the weight seems to be owing to the glossy, richly textured, 
multicolored paper. The book contains 540 illustrations, including some of the oldest 
and most renowned works of art related to the Camino and many stunning 
photographs.  It also includes itineraries of the various Camino routes and all sorts 
of practical information for pilgrims, including albergues, outstanding places 
of cultural and historical interest, Friends' Associations,  and a full 
listing of all places listed, including telephone numbers, hours and days when they 
are opened, and the times of the year when some albergues are closed.
Believe it or not, the book AND the DVD were being sold for only 30 Euros!!!, 
that is, the price of many Camino DVD by itself.
The book was published by ESPASA  and its ISBN is 84 670 1462 8.
The full address of the publisher is:  Editorial Espasa Calpe, S.A., Via de 
las dos Casillas - Atica. Ed. 4, 28224 Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, Espana.
The book also contains a brief history of historical facts related to the 
Camino and ancillary legends, as well as a listing of Royal and historically 
noteworthy persons who have made the Pilgrimage to Santiago. 
....I  have no idea if the book is available anymore since it was a terrific 
promotional bargain, but when I go to Spain next month for Holy Week I am 
certainly going to try to get a copy or two.

The Pilgrims' Museum and the Xunta have also publshed an odd-shaped book (7 
inches high by 15 inches wide)  containing the photographs taken by Eduardo 
Almajano that won the Camino panoramic photography contest.  Except for the 
introduction by the President of the Xunta, the Minister of Culture and the 
Director of the Pilgrims' Museum, the book has no writing other than the odd title of 
the photograph(s).  The book contains 60 stupendous panoramic-style 
photographs.  The name of the book is "Manteniendo Vivas las Flechas Amarillas" 
(Keeping Alive the Yellow Arrows).  Its ISBN is 84-453-3899-4. The cost of the book 
was about 20 Euros, but I am not sure.  I shouldn't think that the book is 
available outside of Galicia, but if I get to Santiago next month I'll certainly 
try to get a couple of copies.
Warm regards from snowy New York City,
Rosina