May 2015 - American Pilgrims on the Camino
Transcription
May 2015 - American Pilgrims on the Camino
LA C NCHA Newsletter of American Pilgrims on the Camino www.americanpilgrims.com May 2015 The Call of Other Caminos In this issue Camino Aragonés Amazing View Photo by Herbert Medina, Los Angeles CA Camino Portugués Ponte de Lima Photo by Mike Dunican, Lake Stevens WA Chemin du Puy - Dinner at the gîte at Cambarrat Photo by Carlos Mentley, Donalds SC Chair’s Message! 2 Xacobeo News! 3 Gathering 2015! 4-5 Hospitalero Happenings!6-7 Buen Provecho! Salt Cod Fritters! Stewed Zucchini Camino Vanilla 10-11 Chapters! 16-17 New Members! 20-21 Member Writings & Photos Throughout Camino Primitivo - Puerto del Palo Photo byAnnette Argall, Baltimore MD www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Message From the Chair... When in April the sweet showers fall… Then people long to go on pilgrimages. — The Canterbury Tales Chaucer’s sentiment surely resonates with those partnership with the Xacobeo, are serving as of us who recall the excitement of embarking on hospitaleros at that Xunta albergue between May our first Camino as well as those now preparing for and October. their first Camino experience. More than 237,000 Finally, encourage future pilgrims to consider pilgrims received their compostelas in 2014, and routes other than the Camino Francés as a way of many more walked stages. As the reducing stress on that route. As number of pilgrims grows, experienced pilgrims know, there is important issues arise – litter and no one “real” or “whole” Camino. sanitary conditions on the trails, The web of Caminos leading to stress on the albergue system, Santiago offers a treasure trove of security and others. There are a history, beauty, and special number of ways that we can help. experiences. Heeding my own As pilgrims who love the advice, I plan to walk part of the Camino and what it represents, we Camino Sanabrés this summer to can model good behavior – picking experience that route. Our website provides detailed information on up litter, ensuring appropriate many routes. If you walk routes less personal hygiene, demonstrating traveled, please remember to tell the patience and caring for each other. managers of municipal and parochial As a pilgrim association, American albergues of the grant opportunities Pilgrims on the Camino continues found on our website. ✦ to support the infrastructure through our grant program to ¡Buen Camino! albergues and related projects and our hospitalero training program. In Cheryl fact, if you pass through Ribadiso Board Chair this season, watch for our 16 members who, through our new Cheryl packing for the Camino Sanabrés Welcome As Brothers! New welcome program at Pilgrims’ Office Acoger Como Hermanos (Welcome As Brothers), a new program supported by the Cathedral of Santiago, is available for volunteers who wish to welcome their fellow pilgrims at the Pilgrims’ Office. It replaces the Amigos program, which operated over the past three years. Unlike the Amigos Welcome service, which American Pilgrims on the Camino and other international Camino associations supported financially and with volunteers, Acoger Como Hermanos will work directly with each volunteer. The Cathedral is providing an apartment for Join/Renew volunteers and will issue distinctive T-shirts for them. A coordinator of volunteers has been appointed and is actively recruiting volunteers. People who are learning Spanish are welcome to apply, in addition to those who speak other languages. If you are interested in learning more or applying for this program, please contact the coordinator, Montse (whom last year’s Amigos will remember from the Pilgrims’ Office), at [email protected] ✦ 2 www.americanpilgrims.com http:// www.xacobeo.es/ en La Concha May 2015 Xacobeo News Joint Pilgrim Certificate The Xacobeo and Wakayama prefecture in Japan have signed an agreement to issue a joint certificate to pilgrims who complete both the Camino de Santiago and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. In February, American Eric Bruce became the first person to receive this certificate. The Xacobeo has told us of cultural events in Santiago that may be of interest to visiting pilgrims: Exposition: "The Way. The Origin" Cidade da Cultura de Galicia. Santiago de Compostela Through September 13, 2015 150 artistic works and 11 contemporary interventions that take us back to the origin of the Camino. Works by masters, including Murillo and Dürer; works on loan from the Prado, Uffizi Gallery, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Free admission for pilgrims who have completed their Camino and present their Compostela http://www.cidadedacultura.gal/en/event/way-origin Exposition: San Francisco y su tiempo (St. Francis and his times) Palacio de Xelmírez Through June 28 Exhibit is part of the 800th anniversary of the pilgrimage of St. Francis of Assisi, celebrated in 2014 Free admission http://programacion.xacobeo.es/eventos/exposicion-san-francisco-y-su-tiempo-santiago-decompostela ✦ American Pilgrims on the Camino at Ribadiso American Pilgrims is working with the Xacobeo on a new program to staff the Xunta albergue in Ribadiso with American hospitaleros, the first time this has happened in Galicia. The first volunteer, Brad Harper, has arrived at Ribadiso and is actively welcoming pilgrims. Sixteen American Pilgrims are scheduled to serve there this summer. ✦ l to r: Xacobeo director Rafael Sánchez, Brad Harper, and local alberguera Dolores. Join/Renew 3 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Recap of Gathering 2015: Ever Ancient, ever new Photos by Nancy Harlan, Laguna Woods CA and Lisa Morales, Dennis MA La Concha writers asked some of the 165 attendees at this year’s Gathering in Menlo Park CA about their favorite moments from the three-day event, and this is what they said: • I liked the ambience of the (Vallombrosa Retreat) center coupled with the great weather. People were able to connect and congregate informally in many different places. • The Michael George* talk and photos were a hit for me. His talent and self-deprecating humor won me over. Remember his before and after pictures? • I loved the early morning walks with pilgrims. It really gives you a chance to get to the heart of people. You can talk about things you might not be able to in a face-to-face discussion. You see a person who limps, but you talk to a grand adventurer who has been all over the world and had the most amazing adventures. It mimics Camino walking conversation. •I have not been able to attend the Shell Ceremony since my first Gathering in 2012 and while I found that one moving, this year being part of the blessing was one of the most powerful things I have ever have done. Knowing what I know about the Camino and the journey that follows, I looked into new pilgrims eyes and saw all the anticipation, hope, fear and worries that they wouldn’t get it right. I realized then that the blessing of the Shell Ceremony is as important to the givers as to the recipients. • The outstanding fado performance by David Garcia, a Portuguese-American fadista, and four Portuguese-born instrumentalists brought back memories of Porto and the Camino Portugués. • The excellent wine and cheese pairing presentation by Cordon Bleu-trained Yosmar Martinez and cheese expert Peg Hall evoked recollections of sampling Camino cheese and wine along the way. •The beauty of Michael George’s photos reminded me how unique and extraordinary a walk across Spain truly is. ✦ *Editor’s Note: Please see Michael George’s work on the Camino in the April/May 2015 issue of National Geographic. Join/Renew 4 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Pilgrims at the 2015 Gathering Gathering 2016 - Save the Date Telling the Way Within 19th Annual Gathering of Pilgrims April 7-10, 2016 Belleville, Illinois Join/Renew 5 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Hospitalero Happenings American Pilgrims continues to be a strong volunteer presence along the Camino. We work closely with the Spanish Federation of Associations of Friends of the Camino to provide hospitaleros in the seventeen donativo albergues the Federation assists. Thus far in 2015, twenty one of our members have received their hospitalero postings and will provide a welcoming spirit at ten different albergues. In 2014, the Federation placed 531 hospitaleros, of which 306 were veterans and 225 were new. Of this total, 20 were American, and we represented the fifth highest number of hospitaleros who served, behind Spain, Italy, France, and Germany – all countries much nearer to the Camino – in Federation albergues. Many of our hospitalero volunteers have served in private, municipal, and parochial albergues that are not connected with the Federation. Hospitalero opportunities also exist in France, Portugal, and Italy. ✦ Hospitaleros trained at Menlo Park in March 2015 Hospitalero Training Since last November, our hospitalero training program has graduated 48 new volunteer hospitaleros. With the support of local chapters, we have three more hospitalero courses scheduled. They are: • November 13-15, 2015 in Winter Park, Florida • February 5-7, 2016 in Los Gatos, California • April 5-7, 2016 in Belleville, Illinois Please check the website periodically, as new trainings may be organized in the meantime. Local chapters, let us know if you are interested in having a training course in your area! For questions about becoming an hospitalero/a, please contact us at [email protected]. We want to help you find your way to another Camino, a Camino of service to others. ✦ “I was moved beyond words by the outpouring of charity, a love tempered with humour, and an ability to organize and maintain places that sometimes sheltered seventy pilgrims. In our fallen world, this is a kind of redemption: meeting people who in ministering to your body and your spirit, make you want to be more like them.” Mary Victoria Wallis ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! From her book, Among the Pilgrims Join/Renew 6 Room for text here which can connect with story. www.americanpilgrims.com picture La Concha May 2015 Hospitaleros Postings “...meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide... from beyond.” -Rumi We would like to acknowledge the following American Pilgrims hospitaleros who will be serving at albergues in 2015. If you are walking the Camino this year, please make a point of stopping to greet them! ✦ Greg Wright! ! ! Tess Alan! ! ! Rennie Archibald! ! Barbara Zang! ! ! Robbie Lawson! ! Rosa Torres-Tumazos! Susan Tomic! ! ! Bruce Colbert!! ! Zachary Lindahl! ! Dave Combs! ! ! Kris Ashton! ! ! Roxanne Morgan! ! Dick Carter! ! ! Jane Carter! ! ! Liz Brandt! ! ! Tom Brandt! ! ! Jim McCaffery! ! Lois McClave! ! ! Rennie Archibald! ! Martha Crites!! ! Jim Limardi! ! ! Grañón! ! ! April 16-30 Ponferrada !! ! May 1-15 San Antón! ! ! May 15-31 Grañón! ! ! May 16-31 Tardajos! ! ! May 2-9 Bercianos! ! ! June 1-15 Grañón! ! ! June 1-15 Grañón! ! ! June 1-15 Grañón! ! ! June 1-15 Nájera! ! ! June 1-15 San Antón! ! ! June 1-15 San Antón! ! ! June 16-30 Carrión de los Condes! June 16-30 Carrión de los Condes! June 16-30 Rabanal! ! ! June 30 – July 16 Rabanal! ! ! June 30 – July 16 El Burgo Ranero! ! July 1-15 Grañón! ! ! Sept 1-15 Foncebadón! ! Sept 15-30 Ponferrada! ! Oct 16-30 Ponferrada! ! ! Oct 16-30 “Serving as hospitalera was as challenging as being a pilgrim. For me personally, I needed to lean into the spirituality I was hoping to deepen. I needed to stretch and dig deep to uphold pilgrims when they were coming apart. The inner journey of service put me as in touch with my God as walking into the unknown every day. I am grateful for having had the privilege of serving in this way.” ! ! Join/Renew Join/Renew ! ! ! ! ! ! ! —An American hospitalera on her experience 7 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 The Way of the Mind by Sandy Lenthall, Williamsburg VA Walking with second pilgrimage, again with the determination, the same walking partner, two middle-aged man keeps on companions never to meet in person the track of the large but still sharing their journey. rectangular yard. At Imagine, just imagine the possibilities certain times of the day, it for this prisoner! His real world; is available to prisoners of prison life, is much the same day after the medium security day, month after month, year after prison in our region. This year, but this prisoner has transformed particular prisoner is the yard into a small Spanish road walking the Camino de leading out of Torres del Río or on Santiago…in his mind. into Viana. The powers of How did this begin? transforming the mind are unlimited. In late summer of 2014 As I walked Duke of Gloucester a family member of an Street early this morning, it occurred incarcerated felon to me how very privileged we are who contacted a local who had have actually walked The Way. The done the trek to Santiago smell of eucalyptus and pine freshly in hopes of finding dampened by early rain puts me back information about Spain to a Sunday morning walk into Melide. Photo by Bianca Di Valerio and maybe a pen pal. A Walking down a hill reminds me of friendship ensued, and the the hike away from El Acebo. The sound felon began his own of tap, tap, tap on cobblestones reminds pilgrimage counting laps around the prison’s me of the pilgrim coming behind with walking exercise yard. He would write that he was sticks. approaching Nájera, and the veteran pilgrim would While most of us are not held prisoner by lock send a postcard image of Nájera. Then Burgos, a and key, there are life situations that can give us postcard was sent of Burgos. In the course of the perception of being held prisoner. Physical several months the inmate reached his virtual difficulties, relationships, occupations, finances, or Santiago, and from the outside world came a other situations might be restrictive; however, the stream of images of Compostela. In ability to transform, by our minds, to be Lent of 2015 the prisoner somewhere else, experiencing something else and began his hoping to arrive at a different place is indeed a human Join/Renew 8 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 The Camino on $20 Per Day by Chris Slater, Asheville NC At the checkout, I became aware that the comforting rectangle in my pocket wasn’t there. Maybe another pocket – but no. Sensing the shadow of impending doom, I abandoned my groceries, went outside, and searched and searched my backpack. But to no avail. No wallet. No plastic cards. I had walked seven weeks from Arles, marveling as my perceptions of physical and mental burdens receded and the colors became brighter, more and more conscious of nature and my fellow pilgrims. Now what was this new challenge? I took the moneybag from round my neck, verified the passport and slowly fingered my remaining wealth of banknotes. Enough euros for three weeks, at €17 per day. Could I manage? I felt a strange sense of elation. At least I was in Santo Domingo among friends, since the previous year my wife Esther and I had volunteered here, and the Crêpes a la Chris, Agés, 2013 cofradía were enormously helpful in contacting the local police and the previous night’s albergue in Nájera, but nothing transpired. Was it lying in a ditch, or the pocket of someone who needed it more than I? I shall never know. So I embarked on my frugal Camino. I sought the municipal albergues with kitchens, an inventory of past remains yielding delights. Freshness was a rare luxury. I learned to linger patiently, befriending the best chefs with the skills of an amiable dog, always ready to gobble up the surplus spaghetti. At donativos I occasionally became a freeloader, feeling uncomfortably like a member of the flotsam of the Camino I had become aware of as an hospitalero. Little by little I saved for the occasional treat, like a café con leche, or a cold beer on a hot day, even cherries in El Bierzo. One of the hardest things was to accept charity though this was freely offered, as age and distance walked marked me as an éminence grise of the Camino, needing little encouragement to pontificate on the relative merits of the albergues ahead. So I arrived in Santiago in triumph, my last free meal as one of the celebrated ten at the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos, where the greasy egg and limp salad were in particular contrast to the five star cuisine enjoyed by the paying guests. A fitting end to yet a new lesson of the Camino, a highlighting of the gulf between rich and poor on our planet. ✦ Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 Join/Renew 9 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 ¡Buen Provecho! In this issue we have three tantalizing recipes for you to try. Submitted by Martha Crites, Seattle WA* Spanish Salt Cod Fritters ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! • 10 ounces salt cod • 1 small onion, quartered • 1 bay leaf • 1 medium Yukon Gold potato, diced • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 2 Tbs chopped parsley leaves • salt & freshly ground pepper • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 3/4 cup water! • 1 Tbs olive oil • 2 large eggs! ! • vegetable oil for frying Place cod in a bowl, cover with cold water and refrigerate, changing the water several times until it is desalted–12 to 48 hours. The filling: Transfer cod to a medium saucepan, add onion and bay leaf, cover with fresh water by 2 inches, and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook the salt cod until it flakes easily, 10 to 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cod to a plate, leaving the onion and bay leaf in the pan, and set aside until the fish is cool enough to handle. Bring the water the salt cod was simmered in to a boil, drop in the potato, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander. Toss the bay leaf. Dump the potato and onion into a bowl and mash them well. If the onion refuses to submit, cut it with a knife, if needed. Remove any skin, bones from the cooled cod, then shred it in a food processor. Stir the cod, garlic, and parsley into the potato mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. It’s not a bad idea to overseason a bit here; the batter will tame the flavor. Set aside. The batter: Rinse the saucepan, pour in water and oil, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Shake in the flour slowly and stir with a wooden spoon to make a batter. It’ll be lumpy, but press on. A few minutes and it’ll work itself out. Remove pan from the heat and continue beating the batter for 2 to 3 minutes to cool. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating completely after each addition. Add the cod mixture to the pan and stir to combine. It should be the consistency of a thick-enoughto-stand-your-spoon-up oatmeal. Let the batter cool to room temperature. It will keep for several hours. Fry the fritters: Heat 3 inches of the oil in a high-sided saucepan over medium-high heat. Spoon a rounded tablespoon or so of the batter, scrape it into the oil using another spoon—irregular is better —and fry until golden brown and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain and serve hot. Makes 24 fritters. ✦ *After tasting creamy-on-the-inside bacalao fritters in Barcelona, I set out to find a recipe to recreate them. No sauce needed. This recipe by Portuguese food expert and writer David Leite comes close. http://leitesculinaria.com/51785/writings-spanish-cod-fritters.html Join/Renew 10 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Submitted by Jeff Stys, Houston TX Zarangollo Murciano (Stewed Zucchini with Onions) ! ! ! ! ! ! • 1/2 cup virgin olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 3 yellow onions, finely chopped • 2 pounds zucchini, peeled & cut into small dice • salt & freshly ground pepper • 1 tsp chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 tsp dried • 6 eggs (optional) In a large sauté pan, heat ¼ cup of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook for about 15 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Meanwhile, heat the remaining ¼ cup olive oil in another sauté pan over medium heat. Add the zucchini and cook, stirring often, for 15 minutes, or until they have softened and released their juices. Remove from the heat and drain off any liquid released during cooking. Transfer the zucchini to the pan with the onions. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, add the oregano, and cook over medium heat, stirring often, for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. If desired, break the eggs onto the vegetables and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the whites are set. Remove from the heat and serve hot or at room temperature. Serves 6. ✦ * Recipe from The Cuisines of Spain: Exploring Regional Home Cooking by Teresa Barrenechea Submitted by Kathy Kennerly, Ponferrada Spain Camino Vanilla - using what’s available Camino food maven Kathy Kennerly likes to use vanilla in her Tarta de Santiago recipe. However, vanilla as we know it is not available in Ponferrada, where she lives. She doesn’t let that stop her, though, as she makes her own version: vanilla beans + vodka + time! ✦ Join/Renew 11 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Waking Up on the Camino by Edith Ahlers, Conifer CO Nature calls at 4 am, and my bed creaks as I fumble out of the bottom bunk. I stumble through the darkness and over other pilgrims’ packs looking for the bathroom. The door squeaks open and then unexpectedly slams shut. I feel around for the oddly placed motion sensor light switch that didn’t come on automatically, and then wave my arms wildly trying to activate it. “Oh please let there be toilet paper,” I pray. In my sleepy haze I’ve forgotten to bring some in. But it’s there; I’m safe! The flush wakes everyone sleeping just outside the door and all those not wearing earplugs. Climbing back into my crinkly sleeping bag, I hit my head on the edge of the bunk rail. There I lay silently in the dark waiting for someone else to get up. I listen to the underlying sound of deep breathing, snoring, coughing. I’m no stranger to this albergue refrain. Someone momentarily switches on a headlamp, and people start to stir. Soon everyone is rustling. After sleeping all night in my freshly washed and air-dried clothes, I grab my backpack and head for the door ahead of the other pilgrims. My damp boots and pack are on as I head out the door into the darkness. I’m off, using my tiny flashlight to navigate around the inevitable puddles. The yellow arrows seem invisible in the darkness. Where are they? Townspeople walking their dogs guide me back to the path through a maze of shortcuts. The light rain is meditative in the darkness. This is my time for reflection. What am I doing here? Where am I going in my life? Alone in the stillness, walking methodically, I find peaceful contemplation. A few hours go by, and the sunrise illuminates an open bar with a blackboard announcing food and the hope of a bathroom. “Un café con leche por favor,” I say in hesitant Spanish. Savoring every drop of it in the open air with my pack beside me, I wave an open invitation to fellow pilgrims walking by. Before long my table is full of new Camino friends. The sun is up as I trek onward with my new family, snacking on olives, apples, and nuts bought in the tienda the night before. My Camino day has begun, and I feel at home.✦ Watching Pilgrims at Rozas Photo by Mike Dunican, Lake Stevens WA Page 3 Join/Renew 12 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Camino Poetry Advice from a Flecha Be a light in the darkness. Trust your direction. Stay bold. Point the way. Soothe the anxious. Appear when you are most needed. ✦ Advice from the Road Embrace the unexpected turn. Stay smooth and soft when tread upon. Surround all with your beauty. Take dirt in stride. Let your path define your pace. Stay close to Mother Earth. ✦ Poems by Linda Fitts, San Diego CA September 11, 2011* By Ann Loar Brooks, Baltimore MD Somewhere in the middle of Rioja out beyond the unceasing wheat fields long past the piney mountain trails emerges a path that can be Overcome your nightmares and cautionary qualms seen only with your broken heart Align your Overcome your light within fear to life to avoid it Usual signposts will point you toward Maps do not chart its course expect to find your healing there Instead you must close your eyes Let your shattered and aching center lead you over the uneven ruts It knows the way to health Santiago You can follow them but don’t don’t expect to mend your deep fissures until you break free from arrows everyone else expects you to follow ✦ *The first letters of each line form an acrostic – “Soles of a million callused feet.” Join/Renew 13 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 A Very Short Camino Story:The Turtle and the Hare by Michael Anderson, Buchanan TN While walking the Camino Portugués last month, I stopped in a restaurant for lunch, and conversing with the owner, mentioned that I was probably the slowest pilgrim on the Camino, as routinely everyone passes me with a “Buen Camino.” In response, he gave me this scallop shell that says, “Una tortuga conoce mejor el camino que una liebre.” This means a turtle knows the Camino better than a hare. ✦ Lifetime Volunteer Award to Daniel De Kay For only the third time in American Pilgrims’ history, the Lifetime Volunteer Award was given at the 2015 Gathering to Daniel De Kay, known and beloved by many as leader of the American Pilgrims hospitalero training program. Daniel has walked the Camino numerous times, served two terms on the American Pilgrims Board of Directors, and has had a hand in training most of the roughly 300 American Pilgrims volunteer hospitaleros. He also expanded the program to include additional trainers and is the main liaison with the Spanish Federation, the organization that coordinates hospitalero volunteers in Spain. He has served as hospitalero several times, also as an Amigo in the Pilgrims’ Office in Santiago. Congratulations, Daniel! ✦ Congratulations, Authors! Congratulations to the following members for the recent publication of their books: • Journal Your Camino by David Jennings, Kings Beach CA • Camino (Book of Poetry) Sarah Kotchian, Albuquerque NM • The Lore of the Camino de Santiago: A Literary Pilgrimage by Jean Mitchell-Lanham, Pacifica CA ✦ This listing is to congratulate member authors and inform our readers and is made without endorsement. Join/Renew 14 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 O Cebreiro How the Boston Marathon and the Camino de Santiago Changed My Life by John M. Schmitt, Long Island City NY I had just left Villafranca around 8 am after little sleep. Last night around 7 pm I learned that someone had bombed the Boston Marathon, and details were hazy. Friends of mine had checked in on social media to say they were safe, others I still hadn't heard from. No one knew who had done it or why, but I feared the worst. It was making me physically ill. I was restless and anxious as I stayed up until 1 am. In non-Camino terms, it's like staying up until 6am in the “real” world. Most pilgrims are asleep around 10. The bombing to me, for many reasons, was crushing. Besides the senseless loss of life, and the uncertainty of America’s response, the hardest thing for me to deal with was the population that was attacked: runners. ✦ Editor’s Note: Runner and pilgrim John Schmitt has written an essay about his response to hearing the news of the Boston Marathon bombing while on the Camino. It is too long to print in La Concha, but the paragraphs above lead into the complete essay, which you can find here. No One Ever Made it to Santiago Without the Help of Another By Maggie Cech, Portland OR After I walked part of the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean to Itero de la Vega in August 2013, I had no idea just how much those 166 miles would change my life. Upon returning home to Portland, Oregon, I saw Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago and within a week, I was hired on as the film’s Outreach Coordinator. As the saying goes, the real Camino begins when we return home, and I have had the most incredible blessing of the Camino be what I talk about every day – it’s my gluten-free, vegan bread and butter, and my spiritual nourishment. A huge part of my job entails reaching out to local American Pilgrims chapters across the country, asking for support in spreading the word about the film coming to their city. It is through the connections with the pilgrims in the chapters that I have been able to continue to live the lessons I learned while on the Camino. No one ever made it to Santiago without the help of another, and I am so grateful for the connections I’ve made through American Pilgrims with people who inspire me with their generous spirits and giving hearts. ✦ Join/Renew Trailside provisions for pilgrims, Chemin du Puy. Photo by Carlos Mentley 15 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Chapter News American Pilgrims Chapters continue to grow throughout the country, now numbering 30. A warm welcome to our newest Chapters from Salt Lake City and Minneapolis. The interactive map on the American Pilgrims website shows where Chapters are located, and you can find a listing of activities in local chapters. If there isn’t a chapter near you and you would like to explore the possibility of forming one, contact our Chapter Liaison at [email protected] ✦ Portlandia Chapter St. James Day The Portlandia Chapter of American Pilgrims has established a tradition of celebrating the Feast Day of St. James (Santiago) which falls on the 25th of July each year, with a special Mass held at the Roman Catholic cathedral in Portland. The Mass includes pilgrim Robin Pigott singing hymns from ancient texts, including the hymn, Alma Perpetui from the the Codex Calixtinus, the XII-century manuscript considered the first and most famous guide to the Camino de Santiago. The words to the ancient hymn are, “Apostle James, nourishing radiance of the eternal light, cast light upon your servants, that they may so conduct their time in preparation to lay hold of the joys of life.” Robin is also a member of the cathedral choir, and her rendition of this hymn is stunning. Also during Mass, the Prayers of the Faithful offer pilgrims the opportunity to pray with one voice, as a community of pilgrims of all religious traditions, or no tradition, for those currently walking the Camino, and all others who Join/Renew are on a spiritual journey. Mass is followed by wine and a tarta de Santiago tasting in the cathedral courtyard. In the three years this tradition has been established the attendance at the Feast of St. James Mass has increased from a dozen or so pilgrims to nearly 100 pilgrims and soon to be pilgrims. The Portland Chapter sees hospitality and support to those who are planning their Camino pilgrimage as one of our chapter’s principle values. The event has become a highlight for many who cherish opportunities to reflect on their pilgrimage and share their stories with others. A shell ceremony for those going off on their first Camino wraps up the evening. Written by Christine Auerbach Coordinator:John Pigott The Icon of St. James is from the website of The ProtoCathedral of St. James the Greater http://protocathedral.org/ SoCal Chapter In early February, the SoCal Chapter held its second annual potluck in Newport Beach at the home of Joanne Baker, with 45 attendees that included both veterans and new pilgrims excited to learn more about the Camino. Also in February, the Chapter sponsored a hike and subsequent picnic for 35 people in Tapia Park. This hike climbed the forested slopes overlooking Malibu Creek State Park. It then went into the idyllic Malibu Creek valley to the M*A*S*H site where we had an opportunity to step back in time seeing a few of the artifacts still left there. We did our first shell ceremony for people leaving within the next six months for the Camino. We presented them with a shell and a lovely prayer printed on parchment for each of the 16 people ✦ Co-coordinators: Anita Baroldi, Marla Keesee, and Kurt ‘Carlos’ Schroeder 16 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Chapters Orlando Chapter Away from the theme parks and the hustle and bustle of city life, Orlando Chapter members held their February meeting at the Winter Park Racquetball and Tennis Club. The scenic lakeside club house, nestled among oak trees was the ideal place for members to reminisce about their experiences on the Camino Francés. Prior to the meeting members walked around Rollins College, alma matter of the beloved Fred Rogers. Experienced chapter leaders with knowledge and enthusiasm make all of the difference. Our chapter is fortunate to have two such individuals Richard Baldwin, experienced pilgrim and hospitalero, and Casey Blanton, a two-time Camino veteran. Richard opened the meeting with welcomes and introductions and a call to join the organization, "I encourage those of you who are not members of the American Pilgrims on the Camino to join now. Membership offers many benefits, including hospitalero training." During an alfresco lunch, experienced pilgrims shared their experiences, while those planning their first Camino this year eagerly listened and asked questions. Casey showcased her ultralight backpack along with some of the basic items that aided her during her walks. One of the items that got everyone's attention was her one-pound sleeping bag. "Having the right size backpack and keeping it to 10-percent of your body weight will enable you to have a wonderful Camino," she explained. The meeting ended on a high note when Richard asked the group if they were up for a beachside Spanish wine and tapas cook out. The response was a resounding yes. Ultreia! ✦ Written by Miriam Gallet Co-coordinators: Richard Baldwin and Casey Blanton Contributors A special thank you to all the writers, photographers, and artists who contributed to this edition of La Concha. Your talents are much appreciated. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Michael Anderson Edith Ahlers Annette Argall Christine Auerbach Ann Loar Brooks Maggie Cech Martha Crites Join/Renew ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Bianca DiValerio Mike Dunican Linda Fitts Miriam Gallet Marla Keesee Kathy Kennerly Sandy Lenthall ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Herbert Medina Carlos Mentley Patrice Moulton John M. Schmitt Matthew Shepardson Chris Slater Jeff Stys 17 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Email from Astorga by Matthew Shepardson, Colorado Springs CO Good Morning, All: Wanted to send a note about this awesome adventure on the Camino de Santiago. Today, I'm in Astorga, about 11 to 12 days from Santiago. The Cruz de Ferro will be tomorrow morning, likely at sunrise. I'm at the Catedral in Astorga, next to the Gaudidesigned Bishop's Palace. It is beautiful inside.Not as old or large as some of the incredible churches here in Spain, but nonetheless inspiring. I was saying my daily rosary for the intentions of Father Don and feeling like I was getting a glimpse of what the Apostles got to experience when walking with Christ. Call me crazy, or maybe just exhausted from walking 44 km (26+ miles) yesterday to reconnect with my travel companions, but I was reflecting on how I am not journaling as much as I would like to. There is so much to reflect on...and the Graces of Christ occur so frequently in the people I've met on the Camino...both those walking, and those whose home this is, that I couldn't possibly write them all down or describe them...they must truly be experienced. Last Sunday, for example, after I was "mis-oriented" for about 1 1/2 hours, having taken a "less travelled" route in the guidebook and ended up walking an extra 6 or 7 km than planned for the day. It was the half way mark, and when I got to the albergue, many of my fellow pilgrims were already there, celebrating the occasion with some vino tinto and límón Kas. Joining in the celebration, I asked, “How do you describe in a journal how incredible this feels?” Anyway, I was thinking about the Gospel of John, and its last verse really hit me: “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25 I can't imagine what it was like to actually walk with Christ as the original Apostles did, but with the graces I see and feel on the Camino, I can either write inadequately about what I can't even begin to describe, or I can encourage people to go experience them, first hand, like I feel Saint John was inviting us to do. Enjoy this beautiful day. I'm heading out to link up with friends already on their way to Foncebadón, so we can all enjoy a sunrise at the Cruz de Ferro Sunday morning. Buen Camino, Matt Join/Renew 18 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 Universal Way of the Camino by Patrice Moulton, Natchitoches LA "Universality" is a term of psychology that is used to attempt to describe the phenomenon of healing that occurs when people share a sense of community. It is often characterized by shared struggle and the acknowledgement that we are not alone in our dilemmas, the opportunity to see ourselves in others The Cross - in Palas de and find insight through Rei, April 8th this shared life experience and feeling, the joy of seeing others and ourselves succeed through a supportive atmosphere, not the least of which is the experience of HOPE created through awareness and connection. Yesterday my friend Susan Barnett and I completed our Camino from Sarria to Santiago. We celebrated last evening with a dinner that included incredible individuals we met along the way. Today we have attended the pilgrim's Mass not two hours ago, and now are sitting at a sunny sidewalk table, eating an exquisite Galician meal, and reflecting on our journey as we write this article to share our moments of universality. The most obvious seems to be the common struggle of the physical and mental challenge of covering the miles. We certainly shared this dilemma with other pilgrims as we limped, shared bandages and encouragements along the way. We saw ourselves in others as we met families along the path. Both Susan and I are professional women, but have strong identities as "Mom.” We met a beautiful little girl named Jess walking with her mom and dad, and the support they were sharing with her to get her through was amazingly gentle, sweet, and touching. Then there were our Australian ladies, The Heart - in Sarria, Annie and her April 6th daughter Bernadette, who burst in like a sunny day with love and laughter as they shared the journey for a delightful birthday. The chance to love a child through life, what a precious gift. There is no stronger sense of community than pilgrims coming together in shared solidarity of struggle and accomplishment. Last evening we sat at a table for hours with all those kindred souls we met along the way celebrating, sharing stories, tears, and much laughter. I thought of a rock on the Camino where someone had painted "Imagine if there were no countries... just people" and I heard Annie's voice saying.., "that would be Heaven." We can only HOPE. Buen Camino!✦ Patrice Moulton and Susan Barnett in the square in front of the church in Santiago de Compostela, April 11th Join/Renew 19 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha February May 2015 2015 Welcome, New Members! We are pleased to welcome the following new members who joined American Pilgrims on the Camino from February through April of this year. We look forward to meeting all of you at future Gatherings and events. ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Patricia Abler Tiffani Aho Carmen Albert Barbara Allen Loren Ameen Diane Anderson Cathy Anderson Maritza A. Andreu Armando Andreu Mas Terry Angulo Barry Anson Christine Auerbach Kersten Bailey Zoraida Ballew Lourdes & Harold Barboza Aliette & Gabriel Barboza Robert, Courtney, Katrina Barth Lucy Bender Carol J. Besman Holly Blakely Elizabeth & Michael Blakeslee John & Melody Bock Cindy Boldt Rose Marie Boone Sophia Bowie-McCoy Capitan Bradley Chris Breston Jennifer Brown Sibley Brown Aleyna Brown Alissa Brown-Skiles Teresa Browne Lisa Bruzzone Currie Burris K.C. & Tama Caldabaugh Vivi Camacho Cheryl Cantillon Annemarie Carroll Krystal Catalano Join/Renew ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Maggie Jane Cech Aaron & Dylan Clark Christina & Julie Collins Elaine Cross Mikie Cunningham Melissa Curran-Moore Bruce & Alex Currier Lydia Cutter Yolanda Ivana Cordoba Linda Dahlquist Michael & Brenda Davis Jessica Davis Kim DeCelles Kate Defloria April & Brent Delac Kevin & Tina Demers Lee & Jasmin Demers Maureen, Caitlin, Mary Dillon Alex, Rachel & Patrick Donka Wendy, Michael, & Chloey Downs John Driggers Robert & Robert C. Durst Claudette Marie & Jairo A. Estrada Michael Eureste Clinton, Jeanie & Christopher Evans Henrik Fagerstrom Kathleen Feigley Thomas, Jimmy & Gayle Fenner Hayes Ferry Judy Arielle Fiestal Derek & Mona Fitzer Helana Fitzgerald Joy Freeman Marilyn Gabrish Cynthia Garcia Greg Gardner ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Rosalie Gervais Tammy Gladwill Larry Glover Paul Green Bruce Guthrie Sandra Hahn Terry & Sheree Hamrick Sheila Haron Michael & Laura Harrison Carol Heiney Thomas Henderson Eric Hernandez Robin Hernandez Charles Hessom Brianna, Ginny & Kaitlyn Hill Joyce Holleman Joann Holmes Raelynne Holmes Roy Howard Olga Hrycak Rob Insinger Katherine Jabuka Debbra & Dave JacobsRobinson Tarryn Jamison Doug Johnson Windi Jones Tom Kansora Deborah Keefe Patricia Keig Myoung Kim Edw Kross Kim Kupinski Anne-Marie La Salle Sherianne Laba Jane Lafave Carolynn LaRocca Leticia Bernot Law Leticia Law Robert Law William Law 16 20 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 New Members Continued ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Peter Lennon Marilynn Livingston William Loewe Catherine & Green Long Katia Lord Manel Lucas Janice & Kathy MacDonald Sadie Maguire Maeve Majali Sal & Alexa Manrriquez Sarah Pierce Martin Janet Martin Francine Mastini MaryDell Mattingly Maureen Maxwell Margarete Mayer Jen Maytum Brad & Monica McBride Leslie McClammy Spencer McCoy Ellen McDonough Alisha McFarland Elizabeth McGie Kathleen McGuire Therese McKechnie Arlene Mennenga Zachary Meyer Julieanne Mills Leslie Mitchell Esther Morales Zac Moren Patricia Moss Sheila Moss Veronica Mueller Grant & Mary Murrell Susan Myron Jennifer Neely Elahe- Ellie Nelson Lawrence Nichta Join/Renew ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Michael O'Halloran JoAnne Obata Karen Odom Sharon Ogan Linda OLeary Peggy Olsen Sharon, Summer & Eric Ott Roy Padilla Lillian Perez Hector Perez-Marti Dean Pierose Kathryn Poethig Linda Puvogel Zara Quesenberry Rebecca Raab Ted Reed Steven G Rindahl Jeremy Roche Shae Rohland Benjamin Ross Diane Rubright Morgan Ruppel Patricia Lee Russell Thom Ryng Judy Sambrailo Lee Sandstead Lyzette SanGermain Patricia Santivanez Robin Sasser Arthur Schleuss Steve & Christine Sharpe Lawrence & Leah Shea Dario Silva William Simpson Bob, Marcia & Mary Helen Skurka Sara & Stephen Smith Janet Smith Alyssa Snider ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ Linda Snow Jan Snyder Tom Sommer Eric & Elizabeth Sorensen Terri Sprouse Marsha Stalcup Pamela, Ben & Tim Stephan Patrick Stewart Justine & Michael Still Suzanne Streater Laurna Strikwerda Joseph & Danny Tennyson Julie Terray John Teska Cheryl Thomas Mike & Lynn Thompson Doris Tolmach Mike & Bonnie Town Catherine Traut-Hessom Robyn Travis Linda Turner Diana Valle Allyson Van Steenbergen Wick & Helen Van Wagenen Alan Verdu Marilyn & Seton Wade Lynn Weisman Megan Welbourn Robin Williams Kathleen Williams Bickley Wilson Jennifer Wivell Wayne Ysaguirre James & Carol Zuiches Katy Zweifel ✦ 21 www.americanpilgrims.com La Concha May 2015 The mission of American Pilgrims on the Camino is to foster the enduring tradition of the Camino by supporting its infrastructure, by gathering pilgrims together, and by providing information and encouragement to past and future pilgrims. Do You Have Camino Impressions to Share? With every issue we are delighted anew by the quality, variety, and abundance of submissions – and especially by the fact that so many are from first-time contributors. Your enthusiasm for the Camino and for La Concha as a medium for sharing that enthusiasm keeps us going! So, please keep telling us, in 400 words or fewer, about your Camino. Consider a photo, a poem, or a new found understanding of an idea – a pilgrim’s perspective. We have refined our guidelines, so please visit Newsletter on our website for suggestions and our new guidelines. The submission deadline for the next issue is, July 26, 2015. We welcome your questions, comments, and submissions at [email protected]. ¡Buen Camino! Annette Argall, Mona Spargo & Zita Macy, Team La Concha Board of Directors 2015 Cheryl Grasmoen – Chair! Ann Howley – Treasurer Martha Crites Peg Hall Yosmar Martinez Michael Romo ! [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Jeff Stys – Vice Chair Mona Spargo – Secretary! Cindy Day Zita Macy Carlos Mentley Zita Mona, Zita & Peg Michael & Martha Zita Martha, Jeff, Yosmar & Cindy Zita Martha, Carlos & Zita Cheryl Other Key Personnel Webmaster: Gene McCullough American Pilgrims on the Camino 120 State Avenue NE #303 Olympia WA 98501-1131 Fax: 1 650 989-4057 www.americanpilgrims.com American Pilgrims on the Camino is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Join/Renew 22
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