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Today is the day many of us have been waiting for, to walk the Camino de Santiago. The bus and luggage trucks arrive and one by one we load our suitcases, equipment cases and are whisked off to Ponferrada. Ponferrada is in the\u00a0Province of Le\u00f3n, Spain. It is completely surrounded by mountains. It is the last major town on the\u00a0French route\u00a0of the\u00a0Camino de Santiago\u00a0before it reaches\u00a0Santiago de Compostela.<\/p>\n
Ponferrada lies in the\u00a0Way of St. James, which is a\u00a0UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year many pilgrims pass through the city on their way to\u00a0Santiago de Compostela.<\/p>\n
Ponferrada is noted for Castillo de los Templarios, a\u00a0Templar\u00a0castle which is approximately 16,000 square meters. In 1178,\u00a0Ferdinand II of Le\u00f3n\u00a0donated the city to the Templar order for protecting the pilgrims on the\u00a0Way of St. James\u00a0to\u00a0Santiago de Compostela. However, the Templars were only able to enjoy the use of their fortress for about twenty years before the order was disbanded and its properties confiscated in 1311. Several noble houses fought over the assets until\u00a0Alfonso XI\u00a0allotted them to the\u00a0Count of Lemos\u00a0in 1340.<\/p>\n
Next is a lovely lunch outside the Templar Castle at a tiny outdoor cafe. Lovely!!<\/p>\n
We arrive at the last stage of St. James Way to be greeted by another 44 participants!! What an arrival and a whole new level of connection begins in integrating the dynamics of the additional group. Pilgrims go to the end of the world to release their attachments, symbolized by the burning of their pilgrimage clothes and shoes. (Nowadays there are baskets where they can dispose of the clothes they used to walk the Camino without dumping trash in the ocean.)
\nJohn preps everyone with a stunning sharing to the group before everyone partakes of their pilgrimage. The journey begins with great joy.<\/p>\n
The tech team heads onto the Hotel de Parador de los Reyes Catolicos to prepare for the arrival of the pilgrims. It seems like moments have passed since the first pilgram has arrived. We are ready to begin the evening festivities with a beautiful dinner and videos hand selected by John. The Hotel is like staying in a castle! Stunning fortress of room after room.<\/p>\n
It has been a long day and now it is time to get some rest.<\/p>\n
Love & Light Julie<\/p>\n
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