[Gocamino] Various I

[Rosina]

Hello you all,

President of Ireland. Last month the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, commenced the Santiago pilgrimage, on foot, at Sarria accompanied by about 20 persons who walked all the way with her. While the Irish president and her group made every effor t to walk unnoticed, they did not succeed in doing so and by the time that the party reached Santiago the group had grown in size considerably

Ms McAleese attended the Pilgrims Mass attired in her walking clothes and holding her walking stick, but because of her status as Head of State she was given the seat inside the altar's enclave, reserved for high functionaries and distinghuished visitors.  Ms McAleese  stated her intention to walk the entire French Camino when she leaves office.

 

Four legged pilgrims.  On the 15th of March 15 dogs, accompanied by their human friends, started out in Estepona  to walk the 1,200 kms. therefrom to Santiago on the Via de la Plata. Throughout the route they repeatedly encountered supporting groups In Seville a special companion was added to the group:  a donkey that walked all the way with them to Santiago. The pilgrims, four and two-legged ones, ended their pilgrimage in Santiago at the Colegiata de SAR (where Mari from the Pilgrims Office is to be married next Saturday), where they were met by Councilman Xose Baqueiro.  From the Colegiata, accompanied by another fifty or so dogs who joined the group along the way, the dogs proceeded to the church of San Francisco to be20blessed The next day the participants in this extraordinary effort, including a pilgrim from the USA and one from Australia, returned home.

The project was initiated by Johana Mayhoser, who is in charge of the animal shelter in the Costa del Sol’s Estepona and it had as its purpose the raising of funds to increase the facilities of the shelter and to increase the public’s awareness of the cruelty visited on so many dogs who are abandoned by their “owners” after the summer months (This appears to be a universal concern. Here in New York City  we have the same problem with so many dogs, and cats, abandoned by some who spent the summer, or part thereof, in the surrounding islands and beach resorts). While the hoped-for financial goal was not met, it appears that public consciousness was raised and has resulted in demands for higher penalties to be meted out to those who abandon their pets. The penalties for doing so in Spain are far more severe than in most states in the USA, but not as severe as those in countries like Sweden which have added animal rights provisions to their national constitutions.

 

Bruce Sprinsteen.  It has been confirmed that “The Boss” will make several appearances in Santiago in the month of August next years, as part as the Holy Year festivities. There is a veritable slew of other celebrities from the USA and the world that will participate, but the list has not been finalized.  It appears that the number of thos
e who want to appear in Santiago then, in one form or another, far outweighs the available dates and facilities.

 

Hugs!



Rosina
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