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<DIV class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=5>Greetings from Pays Basque.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=5>The Camino de Santiago has been completed, having traveled from Roncesvalles to Santiago in 28 walking days. One day was spent in Pamplona to get new shoes, socks and pack for a pooly-equipped crew member. All other days were spent walking. And walking. Then walking some more. Fabulous experience. Physically, spiritually and culturally. An average of 28 Km per day, one day of 42 Km from El Burgo Ranero to Leon. Two days compressed into one. Walking from starlight to starlight. Santiago was fabulous. Could it be any other way? Had the pilgrim dinner at the Reyes Catolicos Parador, only 10 Peregrinos per day are admitted. Kind of a do-it-yourself situation. A definite 5 star hotel, built at the bequest of Fernando and Isabela, they treat pilgrims with a tacit nod, not a genuine welcome in the aire. Ah, but the food was just dandy, and the conversation stimulating. Mass was good, and I finally saw the Botefumiero swing. Quite a show. About 500 pounds of golden censor in a 150 degree arc, almost touching the ceilings. Wow. Spent a day in Santiago then got on the bus to San Sebastian in Spanish Basque Country. It rumbled and spun through two-lane roads across the North and I got zero sleep. Arrived in San Sebastian and everthing was closed at 0630. Walked through the Casco Antiguo (old town) and saw the restaurant where I unwittingly gave the ETA 'grave concern' ... had cafe con leche, a few great thing to eat, called my father, then friends in Sant Jean de Luz in France. Richard came and fetched me at RENFE, and here I am in the French Basque Country. Will be doing the last 150Km from O Cebreiro to Santiago with friends from Paris a bit later this month. I met the Family Menager last summer on the Camino de Santiago. This is their last year in a multi-year venture to finally walk into Santiago de Compostela. The Way of Saint James changes us all in ways we do not always see at first. The world is a different p!
lace for
us, and we are different for the world. Less a part of the world perhaps, but more alive as well. Enough philosophy. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=5>Onward. Ultreya.</FONT></DIV>
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<P><STRONG><FONT face="Lucida Handwriting, Cursive" size=5>Grant</FONT></STRONG></P>
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<DIV class=RTE><FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" size=5>Grant Spangler</FONT></DIV>
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