Special Places - Those that are gone.

[Theatregal]

The news of Casa de los Dioses closing down and David moving on to his next purpose led me to think of other special camino places that are gone. A favourite place and shop in Santiago that I always loved visiting was the Libreria Vetusta tucked into an arcade on Rua Nova next to the Church of Sta. Maria Salome. A beautiful old bookshop containing new and used books, magazines, photo cards, old maps and documents ~ all sorts of curiosities. I always found something special there to take home and enjoyed saying hello to the woman who worked there.

At the end of my camino in 2014 I went by and the shop was closed on all three of the days I was in Santiago. Again when I was there in the summer of 2015, it was closed. I asked at the shop across the street and was told that the woman who ran it had been sick and it was rarely open. I looked online yesterday and there was a notice on the business listing for Libreria Vetusta noting the shop as "closed permanently". Sometimes online listing info isn't accurate so I'll still walk by when I'm in Santiago in March to take a look.

With time all things change ~ happy for the memories of these special places.

 

[Tincatinker]

With time all things change

Nicely put amiga. Don Henley wasn't quite right with his song. We can look back, and often with joyful feelings, but the world will have changed and much that was in the world is no longer in the world. People pass; places change.

I also remember that little book-shop with great affection. I found a Spanish edition of 'The House at Pooh Corner', 'El Rincon de Puh', that I convinced myself would help to improve my Spanish. It hasn't, but it sits on my bookshelves and reminds me of Santiago, and of the Libreria and of aspiration and hope.

And I'll add that not all passing is loss and not all change is detrimental but I do thank you for the reminder that made me get up from the computer and search some shelving and find a little card-board bound edition that when I hold it in my hand smells of dust and book-shop and Santiago.

 

[SabsP]

Thank you Theatregal. Beautiful thread.

 

[Theatregal]

Nicely put amiga. Don Henley wasn't quite right with his song. We can look back, and often with joyful feelings, but the world will have changed and much that was in the world is no longer in the world. People pass; places change.

I also remember that little book-shop with great affection. I found a Spanish edition of 'The House at Pooh Corner', 'El Rincon de Puh', that I convinced myself would help to improve my Spanish. It hasn't, but it sits on my bookshelves and reminds me of Santiago, and of the Libreria and of aspiration and hope.

And I'll add that not all passing is loss and not all change is detrimental but I do thank you for the reminder that made me get up from the computer and search some shelving and find a little card-board bound edition that when I hold it in my hand smells of dust and book-shop and Santiago.

Ahhh thank you for your lovely response Tincatinker. Your words "..not all passing is loss and not all change is detrimental" ring very true in my life right now. Wonderful to hear of someone else who found treasure in that little shop ~ not only in a book but also in an experience and memory.

 

[Gareth Griffith]

As John Lennon said in his song:
There are places I remember
All my life though some Have Changed
Some forever not for better
Some Have Gone and some remain
All These Places Have Their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all.

Over dinner in an Albergue I was talking to an Italian girl aged 20 called Julia. I said that John Lennon's wife was called Julia. She said "Who's he?"
How wonderful it must be, to be totally innocent of one of the legends of 20th century pop music and to be able to explore it all from new.

For those that haven't heard the tune before you can hear it here.

 

[camino07]

I was thrilled to see Hostal Suso open as a cafe again. I felt bereft when it closed.

 

[AJ]

I was thrilled to see Hostal Suso open as a cafe again. I felt bereft when it closed.

Yes, new owners ?

 

[susanawee]

Nicely put amiga. Don Henley wasn't quite right with his song. We can look back, and often with joyful feelings, but the world will have changed and much that was in the world is no longer in the world. People pass; places change.

I also remember that little book-shop with great affection. I found a Spanish edition of 'The House at Pooh Corner', 'El Rincon de Puh', that I convinced myself would help to improve my Spanish. It hasn't, but it sits on my bookshelves and reminds me of Santiago, and of the Libreria and of aspiration and hope.

And I'll add that not all passing is loss and not all change is detrimental but I do thank you for the reminder that made me get up from the computer and search some shelving and find a little card-board bound edition that when I hold it in my hand smells of dust and book-shop and Santiago.

Such a lovely response Tincatinker and, oh how wonderful to have found a Spanish edition of the House at Pooh Corner....envious but in a nice way....Camino Hugs.

 

[Kanga]

Oh, I am so happy to hear Suso has opened again @camino07 . Hope that at least some members of the family are involved.

 

[camino07]

I was on my way elsewhere and didn't go in but had a look and it could be same family. not sure.

 

[Theatregal]

Wonderful news from Santiago! A dear friend is there now and he reports that the Libreria Vetusta has re-opened after being shuttered for 3 years. A very special place to visit if you find yourself on Rua Nova. And of course...the other subject of my original post - David - is back at Casa de los Dioses. So ~ a full circle post.

 

[Tincatinker]

"Oh heavens" said Pooh, "more expense."

Still, the more I spend in book shops the less I spend in bars (I wish)

 

[Theatregal]

"Oh heavens" said Pooh, "more expense."

Still, the more I spend in book shops the less I spend in bars (I wish)

Well now...sometimes a bar is the perfect place for a good read

 

[SYates]

Well now...sometimes a bar is the perfect place for a good read

Couldn't agree more! Buen Camino de Vida, SY