[Gocamino] Doings in Santiago

[Rosina]

Hello you all,

 

The next Archconfraternity meeting has been scheduled to precede the 24th of June, a big holiday in Galicia most particularly celebrated in Santiago.  The 24th of June is St. John’s day, and it coincides with the summer solstice.  The night preceding it is a very big do. that goes back to the ancient Celts, dedicated to worship the purifying element of fire. All over Santiago fires are lit to scare away “bad spirits” and shoo off the “meigas” (witches… who are said to reside permanently in Ourense, as evidenced by the sulphuric boiling waters that sprout out from the ground all over that city). The fire-worshiping Galician rites require the devotees to jump repeatedly over the lit fires, at least three times, to leave behind bad vibes and, once fire-purified, to attract good luck and good things. The tradition also requires that wild flowers be gathered and left in water overnight, in the open air, so that they be enriched by the morning dew; washing one’s face in the morning with the resultant perfumed water guarantees beauty and youthful appearance.

Naturally, half the city is up throughout the night jumping over fires, grilling sardines all over the city and making “churrasco” (strips of meat, seasoned and broiled over an open fire), which are eaten accompanied by the region’s famed albarinho; these doings are accompanied  by voices and “tunas” (singing groups) intoning Galician airs.

All in all the occasion is a remarkably lovely festivity except, perhaps, for the jumping over the fire.

 

So…., if you will be in the Santiago environs around the 24th you are very lucky, indeed!

 

As mentioned before, the Xacobeo people established a “Compostela Copa do Caminho”, (Compostela Cup) which is a special soccer championship for teams composed of players under 19 years of age who have been on the Camino. Eight teams qualified for the contest and the first game was played yesterday.

 

While the rains were continuous in Galicia during April and May, as it is their mysterious wont, they have ceased during June and the weather in the region is ideal.

 

Meanwhile, here in New York City the temperature has been over 90 degrees for the last few days, and today it will climb over 100 degrees, with stultifying humidity to boot. I feel sorry for the tourists who, as has been the case for the past few years, are flocking to our city in incredible numbers because of the cheapness of the dollar.  Poor things… there is nothing quite as unpleasant as a hot day in New York City, let alone several in a row!

 

Ah!...... to be in Santiago.

 

Hugs!



Rosina