Chantada updates.

[Ribeirasacra]

Bar Pio Lindo , which I reported was closed from February 2017 has just reopened under a new owner; charming woman. So the first bar you encounter in Chantada is this one.
Right opposite the bar a small tree has been planted along with a plaque.
Video in Galician/ Spanish.

 

[peregrina2000]

Bar Pio Lindo , which I reported was closed from February 2017 has just reopened under a new owner; charming woman. So the first bar you encounter in Chantada is this one.
Right opposite the bar a small tree has been planted along with a plaque.
Video in Galician/ Spanish.

I walked with the Japanese man in the solid light blue shirt off and on for a couple of weeks this year. He started on the Mozárabe, went onto the Vdlp, and then was going to get to Ponferrada for the Invierno. They are planting 12 cherry trees all along the Invierno, to commemorate 150 years of Japanese-Spanish relations. He is the coordinator (and a volunteer, not a paid position) of Camino relations between Japan and Spain and a very lovely man. I know that this project has gotten negative commentary in some quarters, as though it was some sort of a commercial venture, totally undeserved IMO. I just wanted to clarify that it was a camino project through and through, born of love of Spain and the Camino, nothing more.

Sorry to hijack the thread, Ribeirasacra, and I am very glad to learn that the bar in Chantada has reopened! How is the new Lucus going, speaking of Chantada legends? Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Ribeirasacra]

No hijack it is interesting to hear some background to this project.
I was at the Bar Pio Lindo but I never saw the tree or the plaque. Guests at the time commented where was his mochila y botas?
I am going to be very controversial now and suggest that the pilgrimage has always some element of commercialism about it. However, that aside, the way the Xunta now promote the Frances it is certainly a commercial venture, with guides, taxi services for luggage, and hospitality all playing there part too. Recently the Portuguese route seems to be going the same way.
All just part of the world we live in.

 

[peregrina2000]

Here's an update on the Japanese pilgrim Toiya, peregrino extraordinaire.
https://www.creandotuprovincia.es/toiya-el-peregrino-japones-de-los-11-000-kilometros.htm

p.s. Thought I would add a short summary for those who don't read Spanish. Toiya has walked 11,000 kms on camino. He walks for 3 months a year now that he is retired. He spends much of his non-walking time volunteering in Japan and coordinates "all things camino" in some official capacity. I think this was his third Camino Invierno.