[Gocamino] Via de la Plata DVDs

[blaroli@aol.com]

Hello you all.
I've just begun to watch the Via de la Plata DVDsthat I got in Santiago last month; they are stunningly GORGEOUS, and then some. 
The discs contain fourteen 45-minutes episodes for a total duration of 640 minutes.  Each episode covers a specific 80 to 100 kms segment and it completes the entire 1,000 kms of the Via narrating the history and circumstances of its creation over the last 3,000 years, and visiting its most important and emblematic monuments and places.
Those who first opened the Via in prehistoric times did so because of the natural passes in the huge mountain ranges and the rivers that could be crossed. It appears that humans and cattle traversed the route since Neolithic times. The Romans used the Via in their penetration of the Iberian peninsula from Betis (Seville, more or less) and used it in their conquest of the Peninsula.
The Moors were able to occupy Spain in a relatively short time because of the fabulous  network of of extraordinary cobbled highways which the Romans created throughout the Peninsula, particularly in the route of the Via de la Plata. The Arab word for the paved connecting highways of the Via was "al blasat" (cobbled), which Latinized became "plata", whence the name of the Via  which is totally unrelated to silver.
 
Now.... The discs start out by showing the covered section on a map to fix its location, and then follow the route from the air showing every river, every range, every forest, every town and so on. The aerial view lingers above the cities, monuments and churches in a way that one can really appreciate the greatness of their structure in relation to their surroundings. When a particular town, church, monastery. monument or significant university or particular activity comes into view, learned commentators serve as guides thereof with an erudition, clarity and richness of detail superior to anything I've ever seen in similar PBS programs. 
And wow!!!! Lordy Miz Claudie...!, those aerial views!
 
The series was produced by an outfit called DIVISA HOME VIDEO 2006 located in Valladolid (in association with TVE, the National Television Center of Spain); they have a home page : www.divisared.es 
 Unfortunately for some of you, I think, the discs are only in Spanish, but, regardless.... what a feast for the eyes of the whole country.
 
I've only seen the first of the four discs, owing to the fact that I keep rewinding and watching the same thing over and over. Truly, I am overwhelmed with joy at having the opportunity to watch something so beautiful and with appreciation of the treasure trove of cultural and historical information.  What a banquet for the eyes and for the mind!  Were I a teacher of Spanish history, culture, or whatever, I would make viewing these discs an absolute requirement.  
 
I don't know what to tell you. A friend who's come to "assist" me in my still immobile condition, who has been a pilgrim, and who doesn't speak Spanish, begged me to make a copy insisting that  inability to follow what was said wouldn't make a bit of a difference and would be a remembrance of the English-less Camino anyway. 
 
On a personal note, while still in a lot of pain if I move, I'm much better and believe that I'll recover fully. Prayerfully in time to go somewhere for Thanksgiving (Vienna, preferably)
 
Big hug!
 
Rosina
 
 
 
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