constanttrek

Via de la Plata and Mozarabe, 2010

January 18th, 2011

You may wonder why there are photos of anonymous Andalucians gracing this page.  Then again, you may be fortunate enough (ha) to have followed this blog from the beginning – in which case you will know that these pictures featured on this page back in 2004, when Gary and I walked through Andalucia.

Without repeating the entire post (because obviously, you will all go back and read it….), we came across the pilgrimage to El Rocio on our travels.  It was one of the most amazing and moving sights I had ever seen – stunning women and glorious men, dressed in the most romantic outfits, playing and singing the stirring sounds of flamenco as they rode to the festival.

Not long afterwards we walked into Seville, and I swore that one day I would return to learn flamenco.

Well, in a round about way, that little mid life crisis has happened sooner rather than later, so I am booked to fly back to Spain in late March – this time to Granada.  I am going to spend several weeks learning flamenco and improving my (fairly rubbish) Spanish, then walk the 1000 or so kilometres up the Via Mozarabe and Via de la Plata to Santiago.

I never really thought to do another camino.  I liked the route when we walked it, but it seemed such a small part of such a bigger deal, that the idea of walking it in isolation seemed almost a cop out.

But what a change a few years can make.  Now, the idea of having two months where I do nothing but walk, seems an almost unimaginable luxury.  And to walk through new territory that I know in spirit but not underfoot; to travel through cities and country where the Moors, Jews, and Gypsies created a rich melting pot of learning and music – this seems the greatest gift of them all.

I am writing both fiction and travel memoir on this walk, so I am very much looking forward to completing the second, and researching the first.  I am also very excited about learning a dance I have always dreamed of, in the place where gitano culture remains vibrant and strong.

Granada in particular fascinates me.Well, I mean, check this picture out.  Who could fail to be fascinated?

In the background the stunning Sierra Nevada rises, and in the city itself lies the Alhambra, the stunning14th century Moorish palace and fortress.  It is one of Europe’s smaller cities, but boasts a world famous university, stunning architecture, and a rich musical culture.  Not to mention awesome food and wine.

Paula heaven, basically.

I can’t wait.  I have begun to plan my footsteps, and train again.  I am back in my trusty birkenstocks – although I will need some new ones, since my old Saharan friends look a bit sad, as you can see below.

They still have a prickle left in their base, an old acacia thorn left from Niger.  Some of it is also stuck in my foot, although I barely notice it.  I leave them there – they remind me that I have miles still to walk, and adventures of the soul still to have.

They also remind me that I am bloody unfit, and need to walk an awful lot before I go anywhere near those Andalucian mountains.  Oh, do I ever remember those.

I have only 9 weeks to go.  Wasn’t there a movie about that somewhere??

I can’t wait to take you all along on another adventure…it has been far, far too long.

Cheers.

Paula

Entry Filed under: trekking