I thought I'd blog a little more history.If you are reading this you should know that the blogs are dated.It's best to start @ the bottom and work your way up the page.Deb and I have heard that we will hear some very different music along the trip.This is because well before Santiago's time the Celts had their own version of the Camino.They followed the Milky Way to the sea @ Finisterre.The end of the world. As far west as they could go without going in the water.Although this legend is beautiful it is unrealistic. The Milky way only mirrors the Camino for a little while on september nights.In the 9th century the christians seized the Camino,Thus driving out muslims.Also keeping northern Spain from reverting back to their pagan ways.God forbid! The locals also found the Camino to be a big cash cow.Pilgrims were a great target for making money.This promotion of the Camino was a medevil scheme and a great piece of marketing.The Camino became popular again after Jerusalem became un safe.It became so popular with the french that the main route over the Pyrenees fron St. Jean Pied de Port and accross Spain is called the "camino frances"
Santiago was declared a holy city in 1189.Pope Alexander III was responsible for this.Under his edict pilgrims who arrived during a holy year can bypass purgatory.If you arrive in an alternate year you are shit out of luck & only get half the time off. Somethings better than nothing.LOL Lisa