<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Palatino Linotype" LANG="0">Hello you all,<BR>
The unicyclist did not follow the French Way and, reportedly, he alerted the press of his whereabouts at all times.<BR>
The Galician newspaper "El Correo Gallego" has a story today about a dog being granted, for the very first time ever, a "four-legged pilgrim" credential.<BR>
The large, black mixed-breed dog is called "Oso" (bear) and accompanied his owner, Don Camilo, a 73-year old man bereft of sight, all the way from Roncesvalles as a guide dog. The dog's credential was duly stamped at the various albergues where he stayed, with his owner, in the facilities for pilgrims with disabilities. Reportedly, the dog is quite a jokester and has amused other pilgrims throughout the French Way in the six weeks that it took them to arrive at Santiago..<BR>
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Those of you who may have spent sometime in the Pilgrims' office in Santiago seeking information of assistance may remember the two full-time young women there, Mari and Loly. Loly has given life to a baby daughter who has been christened Celia de Santiago. The black eyed little beauty is the first born to her parents who have long prayed for a child. If you want to send congratulations to Loly you can send an e-mail to the pilgrims' office.<BR>
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The newspaper today also reports that both the King and Queen, Prince Felipe and Princess Leticia will be in Santiago on July 25, as will be Spain's new president, Zapatero (shoemaker) and all the ministers of the new government.<BR>
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Across the street from where I live in New York City there is a restaurant owned by Galicians; it is one of the longest tenured restaurants in Greenwich Village and neither the quality of its food nor the amiability of the owners has ever sagged. Luis, one of the owners, told me yesterday that he is surprised at the number of people who come to the restaurant and talk with him about the Camino. <BR>
He also told me that the fascination of Spaniards with their new princess is owing to the fact that when she becomes queen she will be the first Queen of Spain actually born in Spain in hundreds of years. The present queen was born, and grew up, in Greece, because of which some cartoons in the Spanish press suggested that she walked the Camino giving thanks not for her son's wedding, but in gratitude for Greece winning Europe's Cup in soccer two weeks ago, a totally unexpected feat just short of a miracle.<BR>
Oh well!<BR>
Warm regards,<BR>
Rosina </FONT></HTML>