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Spain

Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

We took a tour with a small group to a historic building called the Casa Mediterráneo. It is located in the downtown area of Alicante close to the bus station.

Shelley at the front of the Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

The top tower of the building has a unique difference, can you spot it?

Top of Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante
Inside the Casa Mediterráneo

Casa Mediterráneo is a public consortium made up of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and other organizations.

It was the former train station of Alicante before it was converted into the Casa Mediterráneo.  Now the building is used to promote mutual interest between Spain and the rest of the countries of the Mediterranean basin. 

roof of the Casa mediterranean in Alicante
Roof area of the Casa Mediterranean in Alicante
View from rear of the Casa Mediterráneo

Some of the general uses of Casa Mediterráneo are to encourage or promote knowledge of the Euro-Mediterranean region. There are free concerts and other public events held in the Casa Mediterráneo.

Shelley and Ray in reflection from mirror in the Casa Mediterráneo

The design of the roof and frame was apparently designed by a student of the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the  Eiffel tower in Paris.

Ornate design of roof beams in Casa Mediterráneo
View of interior beams
Original metal located in the Casa Mediterráneo
Original train tracks located at the Casa Mediterráneo

The city of Alicante along with other agencies salvaged the building which was at one time left in disrepair. It has now become a repurposed building and a beautiful structure along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Rear view of the Casa Mediterráneo

One of the many unique and beautiful buildings in Alicante.

“Deseamos que tenga un buen dia”

Spain

2020 Christmas in Alicante

The Christmas season is certainly different this year in Alicante. There are no major gatherings and all the fiestas are cancelled. Curfews are imposed and people are only able to gather in small groups. No more than two families with a total of 10 people can gather at Christmas. So it is just the two of us having a quiet Christmas at home. However the city has done a great job lighting up the city in a festive way.  We put on our mask and decided to take a walk around some of the areas of the city to check out the Christmas lights.

Shelley and Ray at the Esplanada d’Espanya in Alicante

Along our walk through the different barrios we would find different lights strung across the road. It was beautiful to see the array of lights and styles of decorations.

Lights across one of the main roads in Alicante

Some of the narrow streets had some intricate and interesting lights. The photo below  does not truly capture the ambiance of what it was like walking under the “stars” of that street.

Strings of lights along a narrow street in Alicante

Some of the plazas had displays of lights or even Christmas Nativity scenes. The plaza de la montañeta had both. There was a large ball decorated all in lights and people could go inside and walk through it.

Shelley and Ray in front of the Christmas ball in the plaza de la Montañeta.

There was also a display of a nativity scene and a village scape in the plaza. 

If you look closely you may see a familiar face.

Nativity scene at the Plaza de la montañeta

Several streets had basic lights across them, while others had more intricate lights. 

Shelley and Ray in front of gift box of lights

We walked down to the Ayutamiento (City Hall) and checked out the Plaça de l’Ajuntament. There was a large display of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. 

Large display with Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Overall the Christmas decorations were beautiful although the atmosphere this year is one draped in uncertainty.  We wish everyone a safe, healthy Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

“Feliz Navidad y un Feliz Año Nuevo”

Camino de Santiago, Spain

On the Camino de Sanitago

We began walking early every day at around 8 am or earlier.

Mark and Ray on the Camino de Santiago

Heading out early to beat the heat and enjoy the peaceful walk on the camino. The trails are well marked and easy to follow.

Typical marker along the camino trail.

We began our camino journey by walking along the streets of the camino leading through the town of Sarria and then along country paths.

Walking through the streets of Sarria on the Camino

Church in Sarria

We soon reached the countryside and began walking into some fields and walking upwards on some hills. The vistas were beautiful all along our way.

View of the roaming hills on the trail of the camino.

One of the many trails along the camino.

During the eight days we walked the camino, we came across some unique and interesting people and buildings. We walked through old Spanish hamlets and towns admiring some of the buildings and churches.

Old buildings along the camino de Santiago

One of the many churches along the camino

Old ruins of a building on the camino

There were religious crosses and other symbols along with some interesting animals.

One of the crosses along the camino.

Ray with a donkey along the camino

We would walk along with other pilgrims on the trail and chat with them about different aspects of the camino. Finally saying good  bye with the common phrase of “Buen Camino”.

Some of the many people we encountered on the Camino.

All along the camino we came across areas which had makeshift shrines. These shrines small stones, images of people and notes written to loved ones who had passed away.

One of the many shrines along the camino de Santiago.

We stopped to look at the shrines and read some of the notes left there by loved ones. It was a very moving experience to see so many along the camino trail.  Below are just a few of the camino memorials or shrines along the way.

One of the ad hoc shrines along the camino

One of the many signs along the camino.

We walked a total of 115 kilometres on the Camino from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. Over that distance we saw many beautiful vistas and towns. Here are just some of the interesting things and vistas along our 8 day trek on the camino.

We arrived at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela around noon on the eight day.

Ray and Mark at the Cathedral of Santiago

It was a very rewarding and emotional adventure. The Camino de Santiago is an emotional, spiritual and physical adventure. You have to experience the camino to truly understand and appreciate the adventure.

Buen Camino!

“La vida es una aventura, vive tu aventura”

Camino de Santiago, Spain

The start of the camino de Santiago adventure

The Camino de Santiago is a religious pilgrimage which has always been of interest to me. It is known as “The Way of Saint James” an important pilgrimage that dates back to the middle ages. There are many different pilgrimage routes that lead to the city of Santiago de Compostela. Some of the routes are considered main routes for the pilgrimage. All routes however lead to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great where his remains are located in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

I began my preparations for the pilgrimage nearly a year in advance. Walking and training with my camino partner Mark for the journey which would inevitably take me through steep hills, valleys and other challenges. Reading many articles and conducting research it became obvious that planning and the right equipment was key.

Packed and ready for the Camino de Santiago

The day finally arrived and we set out by train to our starting point of Sarria Spain.

Once we boarded our train, we settled in for the eight hour train ride.  We toasted to the adventure that would follow.

Ray and Mark toasting to the Camino de Santiago

We enjoyed the train ride and we met other great people heading to Sarria for the Camino adventure. We arrived tired but excited to start our camino the next morning.

At the start of the Camino de Santiago I felt that the adventure would be a challenging walk and a hiking experience. I did not realize that the camino de Santiago experience would change me forever.

“Deja que comience la aventura”

Spain

The Liverpool Band

We went to the Santa Barbara Castle for a meal and some live entertainment. We settled into our reserved table to enjoy an outdoor full course meal. The tribute band for “The Beatles” called The Liverpool Band was slated to do a concert after our meal.

The view of the stage from our reserved seats

The atmosphere was fantastic sitting in the heart of the castle which was built in the 12th century. People were gathered at the tables enjoying the meal before the start of the concert.

People enjoying the outdoor meal in the 12th century castle of Santa Barbara

It was a beautiful evening with a full moon slowly moving over the castle walls.

View of the moon perched over the castle walls

The concert setting was small and allowed for a great view of the stage. Our seats were quite close to the stage and gave us a perfect view of the concert.

Our view of the stage from our seats.

What was really interesting about the Liverpool Band was that they were formed in Alicante in 1997 and all of the band members are Spanish.  They played for over two hours non-stop focussing on some of the top Beatle songs .

Juan Antonio Juárez: Guitarra solista y voz,

Iván Martínez Ferrández: Batería y percusión.

We have put together just a small sample of some of the music they played  at the Castle.

The Band Members are:

  • Jose Manuel Lledó Adsuar: Guitarra rítmica y voz,
  • Juan Antonio Juárez: Guitarra solista y voz,
  • Jorge Aniorte: Bajo y voz,
  • Iván Martínez Ferrández: Batería y percusión.

We enjoyed the evening and had a great time at one of the many events held in Alicante and at the Castle of Santa Barbara.

“Hasta la próxima, vive el momento y disfruta del regalo de la música.”