<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Franklin Gothic Medium" LANG="0">Hello you all,<BR>
With her permission, I am reproducing a message sent by an Oklahoma pilgrim, Judy Wallop, to another list:<BR>
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"The first week of October I walked with a friend the Camino Portuguese. Tui to Santiago. I am in my mid sixties. I thought it was a beautiful walk. There is one bad section, an industrial area, on the first day near Porrino and a section out of Redondela near the sea, but very beautiful.<BR>
I did not stay in an albergue. I prefer small hotels and did stay in a couple of paradors. The albergues I saw were very new and very nice. The coastal area is prosperous and the towns are well kept with beautiful gardens. The grapes were nice and also the figs! The main meal of the day was always fresh fish with one exception and not many 'French fries'. This was basically the menu del dia!<BR>
I had The Confraternity Book. The information is more limited than the Camino Frances but it is not wall to wall pilgrims. I saw approximately 5 pilgrims on the walk. Personally, I thought it was beautiful and would suggest it to anyone that does not have time or strength to walk SJ to Santiago. I have walked from SJ to Leon.<BR>
If you are looking for a group to join and many companions this may not be the place for you, but with the numbers for next year sounding so huge it may be the perfect place.<BR>
I did not get lost or hungry and carried very little food, just a good supply of water. I am sure if it gets heavy traffic next year the bars will appear. Most of the churches were open and there were some very interesting sights. Padron is a very interesting place. Mass at the church of Santiago was beautiful. We asked and were taken to the altar to see the mooring stone. It was very interesting.<BR>
The way into Santiago is through the woods and then you are in the city. It was very peaceful!<BR>
All in all it was a great journey. I would suggest it without reservation.<BR>
Judy Wallop<BR>
Oklahoma City<BR>
judithwwallopaaol.com "<BR>
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