Posted on 07/24/2004 7:14:03 AM PDT by ELS
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – For centuries, Catholic pilgrims made this sacred journey across Spain for heavenly rewards. This summer, the throngs arriving in Santiago de Compostela have found more-immediate gratification: concerts by Lou Reed, The Cure, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Welcome to Xacobeo, the festival honoring the famed Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, which finishes here in the rolling green hills of northwestern Spain. Once the domain of devout Catholics, the 420-mile trek across the country to honor the Apostle James has been transformed into a pop-culture spectacle. Jenna Bush did it. So did the Queen of Spain. Even Bob Dylan performed. For a country steeped in Catholic tradition, the times they are a changin'. While the pilgrimage has become especially popular in this Jubilee year, many now walk the journey for reasons quite different from those that compelled medieval pilgrims intent on fulfilling religious vows or receiving plenary grace. Miguel Angel Martínez, an engineer from Castellón who completed the pilgrimage Wednesday, says his reasons were complicated.
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
You had mentioned when you went that there weren't many "serious" pilgrims.
But what few there were more than made up for the fact most are atheist or "New Age" and there to enjoy a cheap and athletic vacation. (Save for groups of middle-aged Canadians and French, etc. .. the Transbaggage People ... who had a driver carry their bags so that they could be at the next stop -- showered, refreshed and playing cards -- by the time some of us dragged in covered in mud or sweat from the trail. =)
My computer's finally up and running again ... I shall finally put together a page on the pilgrimage.
As for Jenna ... I had more respect for Shirley McLain, actually. At least she didn't blow a horn before her "pilgrimage" and took steps to conceal her identity as she hoofed it along with the rest of the pilgrims.
Of course. Jenna's daddy is mean ole George W.
=== Of course. Jenna's daddy is mean ole George W.
Just another reason -- security concerns -- that one wonders why she'd announce she were going on the Camino during a jubilee year.
Makes no sense.
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