Italian delights

 Delicious gelato

Yummy cupcakes

Murano glass

And unmistaken Italian canned Tuna and Anchovies.

Second call

The second time I heard El Camino calling me, was in Saintes-Maries-de-la-mere, in Camargue. My husband and I went to the South of France to visit a friend. On  a day trip we stopped at the little town of Saintes Maries de la mere, a small place where the french culture mingles with the Spanish, and the Gypsy. We went to visit the main church, Notre Dame de la Mer. A sanctuary that is one of most important departure points for Pelegrins who start from there their Camino to Santiago de Compostela. 
We visited the roof of Church, a real accomplishment for me, since I do not like climbing on roofs. My husband suggested I take my shoes off, so I could have better controll and balance. He was right. 
When we came down we saw at the church  courtyard a very beautiful piece of artwork, a big stain glass installation inspired by the Camino. On its surface it was written: l’amour est fort comme la mort. Love is as strong as Death! 
And somewhere near by there were photographs and information about the two thousand year old pilgrimage to Santiago. 
After I had conquered my fear of heights I felt drown to the challenge of walking from that very spot to Santiago de Compostela.
I asked my husband to accompany me. He was not that interested.
But I felt inside my heart the call to become a pilgrim. I knew that some day I was going to do what seemed almost impossible. Walk across Spain, walk towards a goal.

(to be continued)

Taking a walk to the end of the world.

Almost two years have past since my last elzevir entry.

Long months of skin change, a painful yet valuable phase.

Part of the new experience was a solo long walk of 30 days in Spain, following the path of El Camino Frances. 

As a young child I had read about El Camino, the over 2000 year old pilgrimage to Finisterra, that at the early years of the Christian era became a pilgrimage to the sacred remains of Apostle Jacob, in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. I was marveled and appalled by the long walkabout that seemed impossible to walk mile after mile, with the bare necessities carried on the pilgrim's back. I was in awe and fear of the strange figure of the bearded man with the tall walking stick, the long coat with the extra protection on the shoulders, and the wide brimmed hat with the big sea shell in the middle.

Little I knew, that was the first time the Camino called me.

(to be continued)

   

  

Iznik ceramic tiles

Tiles and vessels produced at Iznik during the 16th and 17th centuries are among the finest and most celebrated ceramics from the Middle East.

The careful undulating polychromatic forms, both vegetal and geometric, provide a stark contrast to the crisp white ground upon which they appear. 

These types of tiles were used to ornate the mosques and palaces of the Ottoman sultans and members of the court. The brilliant decoration of the individual tiles is impressive, but as part of a frieze or series of tiles along the wall of a mosque, their effect is sumptuous and magical.

Azuelos. Ceramic tiles in Lisbon

Boqueria, Barcelona

Shopping for sweets in Boqueria, Barcelona