[Gocamino] In Santiago

[blaroli at aol.com]

Hello you all,
Greetings from hauntingly lovely Santiago.
Is it worth it to come all the way over for only three days?  ABSOLUTELY!
Now, for the good news:  The Botafumeiro will fly tomorrow Saturday, at the Pilgrims´Mass at noon.  (I have it on the very best authority). So..... if some of you are in Santiago, or nearby, or know anyone in the environs you may want to hurry over.
The Botafumeiro is nopt in much use lately (once every three weeks or so); the "tiraboleiros" (the guys that do the work) do not like the new rope: they find it hard to control and to manage.... and it keeps stretching; consequently the appearances of the botafumeiro are few and far between.  They are, however, working on new ropes made of natural sisal.
Those of us who will be here tomorrow are lucky.... must particularly myself since I´´ll be going home on Sunday.
More goods n ews: there are new signs everywhere pointing to the Cathedral and to the pilgrims´office, in various languages, which start out where pilgrims usually approach the city.
Also: there will be a requirements that any one who solicits a permit to run an albergue, private or otherwise, must have made the pilgrimage in person at least once.  
Lest someone begins to throw stones at the "arbitrariness" of the powers to be, it should be pointed out that this resolution was arrived at by the hospitaleros themselves when they had their big reunion two months ago, and it is, in fact, being urged by them.  Presumably one who has been a pilgrim will more readily understand the needs of pilgrims.... which makes sense.

The bad news:  The Euro has climbed up to $1.57, which is what the banks are charging for conversion.  Because of the dollar´s steep decline, European, Asian and Latin Americans who have made dollar-based investments are dropping them at such rate that it is commonly believed that by next summer one  Euro might cost two Dollars.... which will signify an 87% increase in the last six years! 

There is much more of great interest to tell and I will try to find some time to send another message before I leave.

Big hug!

Rosina

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