San Pedro de Siresa - The labyrinth

Probably the only labyrinth left in El Camino in Spanish land.







(Thanks to Stan for the pics)

How much are we going to walk?

Someone has asked: "If we will travel by van from place to place no more than about two hours a day, how much time will be hiking the Camino?Or do we drive to sites along the way, then walk in and around that area?"

Answer: Everyday there is some walking, depending on the day, between 1-3 hours. You gave an accurate description though: “we drive to sites along the way, then walk in and around that area”. I guess Caryn told you about the dynamic of the group and how spectacular the places are. We practice Qi Gon and meditation, eat, drive, walk... Then there is visiting the sites, where we do practices and lectures/presentations/sacred geometry drawing at the hotels. Very fun!

Answers to "Connecting to internet, Compostela Credential, Luggage and weather"

I have received some repeated questions this last couple of days so there you have a general answer:

About internet:

Yes, you will be able to access internet. I am not sure how many but in most of the places where we will sleep you might have access to internet in some form. I see quite a few of you very eager to keep working while here and you might have a chance to do so on a daily basis. But can’t tell you when or where as now.

About “Compostela credential”:

Someone has asked about this. You can definitely get a booklet and stamp it at every place we visit if you want to try and get a Compostela credential, which is the certificate pilgrims get at the end of the journey. I don’t really suggest it or recommend it unless you feel you are going to be making an effort of some sort that equals the effort that walking pilgrims go through, we’ll discuss that on our first meeting.

About suitcases:

What do I mean by small size? Something that you feel you can carry up and down everyday without wandering why that piece of luggage is so heavy. So it’s up to you. You are going to be carrying it up and down. The way of the pilgrim is detachment and lightness, so really consider what is necessary and what not. It’s part of the journey.

About weather and clothing:

Consider changing Spring weather. The evening nights will be cool up in the mountains. Then warmer in the plains but bring a bit of everything. Don't forget a warm fleece or something similar.

Hugs from Barcelona.

Astronomy software

For those of you interested in learning more about the transists of the stars I recommend the free software: http://stellarium.org/

Very easy to use.

Hugs from BCN and enjoy the stars.

Ferran (Z)

May 2008 - Final details

Dear peregrinos,

Some final details:

1.- Meeting place for Sunday 11th at 4.30 pm: Cafeteria Estruch (right in front of the cathedral of Barcelona) Avda. Catedral, 3 – Barcelona 08002 (We’ll most likely be sitting in the patio area at the entrance).

2.- Meeting place for Monday 12th at 8.30 am: same as above.

3.- Diet and meals: Even though the food in the areas will visit is usually very delicious, eating out for 2 weeks can be quite intense, especially in a foreign country. If you are use to eating lots of veggies, I highly encourage you to bring some sort of “green drink”. I use Phytogreens from Seroyal. You’ll see many choices at Trader’s Joe or Whole Foods. Many days the closest thing to vegetables we might encounter will be white bread and potatoes with chorizo. Also for breakfast, most days they will offer us the typical orange juice with toasted bread, pork in different forms, cheese, croissants, muffins, etc.. So you might appreciate some instant oats, granola, your favorite tea. Also a digestive Chinese formula like “Bao He wan” or the “Detox Kit” from Heel might come in handy.

4.- Please email to me your flight (just flight number, date and arrival time) and hotel info for the night before in a clean clear email.

5.- Take my phone numbers with you: 650-576-107 or 93-692-5269. Please, call me once you are in Barcelona. Especially if you can’t make it to Sunday meeting. You can give the number 011-34-650-576-107 to anyone who might need to reach you, that’s all they need to dial from the States. If you need to call from here, the easiest is to buy a calling card once you get to BCN.

6.- Look for the latitude of your place of birth. Easiest way for me is go to wikipedia and type city name and state. Then get the coordinates from the top right corner.

7.- Clothing: early spring clothing + a warm fleece or jacket for the evenings. Some thin rain coat, just in case. No need for serious hiking boots. Mostly with some sneakers you will do fine.

8.- Luggage: Depending on how much are you planning on bringing I suggest you to bring 2 smaller bags instead of just one bigger, so you don’t have to carry your stuff everyday up to the hotel. Whatever you don’t need can stay in the van so you only need to load and unload part of your luggage. But if you are into lifting weights, it’s up to you.

9.- Barcelona is a very safe city but there is quite a “pick-pocketing” tradition, and that’s not the one you come to get in touch with. Please, don’t carry your wallet in your pocket or walk freely with your purse. Have some sort of money belt or similar hidden under your clothes when walking around the city. Once we are out of Barcelona no worries, but in Barcelona be extra careful with this.

10.- Please, confirm the reception of this email with the address for meeting on the 12th.

11.- We never had any problems and don’t anticipate them either but you might want to check with your medical insurances/credit cards you paid the airfare with, for any possible coverage while you are here.

12.- Get a nice compass (it should be around 20 dollars) with an adaptor for pens and some nice fineliners. 12 colors will be enough. This will make your drawing time much more enjoyable.

13.- Make sure you are using to your advantage the power of the practices I proposed as a preparation. Especially resolving old conflicts with people and clearing debts.

I think that’s all. Let me know if you have any questions. You should all have the list with the hotels.

Looking forward to see you all.

Hugs and Spanish kisses from Barcelona.

Ferran (Z)

question about "drawing compasses"

There was a question about "drawing compasses".

Having a good one is going to make your class much more enjoyable.

Best thing is to have a couple, one like this:

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/448841/GeoMaster-Bow-Compass/

or like this http://www.draftingsteals.com/21111.html

and one like this:

http://www.draftingsteals.com/20013.html

You want to have one to change the colors and another one just to make marks, if possible.

I bought mine in LA at office depot or similar.

See you soon in Barcelona.

Love

Ferran

Reading Suggestions Trip Fall 2008

Dear everyone,

Some reading suggestions for our trip this coming May:

“The prophet of Compostela” – Henry Vincenot (available also in Spanish): really good book on medieval apprenticeship, church building and sacred geometry. Written by a true Compagnion.


“The Camino : A Journey of the Spirit” – Shirley Maclaine (available also in Spanish): I never thought I’d be recommending this one but I’ve been told by some people who have done el Camino several times that it’s quite a good book. I haven’t read it myself. Looks like an easy read about a modern pilgrim.

“Following the Milky Way” – Elyn Aviva. The passionaet and wonderful story of an American pilgrim through Spanish land.


Guides about el Camino de Santiago:

Even though will be traveling by car, it’s important to get a good sense of what walking pilgrims go through. Having a good guide will offer lots of inside on that aspect.

“Pilgrimage to the End of the World: The Road to Santiago de Compostela” – Conrad Rudolph.

“El Camino de Santiago. Guía práctica del peregrino” - Editorial Everest: (I think it’s only in Spanish)



If you read French, Spanish or have a good dictionary:

“Eglise Romane – Chemin du lumiere” Raymond Montercy: Excellent book on development of temple energetics and blueprints and other interesting things.

“El Simbolismo del templo cristiano”: (I think it’s only in Spanish) Great book on temple symbolism and cosmology integration.


For the meditation and energetic practices:

“Awaken the healing light of the Tao” – Mantak Chia (available also in Spanish): It will give you a good foundation for some of the basic practices will be doing at the temples.

“A new earth” – Eckhart Tolle: Presence, presence, presence. What else?

“Gods, Sages and Kings” – David Frawley


Enjoy your reading and remember to breath.