santiago de compostela: ... where the pilgrims go.

dear andrew,

so, it wont be long before little andrew start running around the house huh ? must be exciting. i am excited for you. if i am not back by then, do send me some pix.


santiago de compostela
sunday 16th - wednesday 19th december 2007
day 94 - 97

(santiagoDC: the sign.)

after 8 hour of struggle in the train, i arrived at this fucking amazing place at night. i walked with awe through the old city to where i booked. one thing i learnt was never to book anything over the internet if you can help it. just check the availability on the net and then call up the place directly. this way, you dont have to pay any booking fee plus i got 4 euros off per night. way too cool. also, this place has an amazing view out of my room. fucking awesome.


(santiagoDC: dinner at some fancy restaurant)


(santiagoDC: room with a view)

santiagoDC is surrounded with lots and lots of amazing cathedrals. apparently many pilgrimage walk all the way from germany, sweden, france etc... to the cathedrals here. i call them crazy but what do i know. i met one korean girl who did that. i told her she is insane. but i think shes abit of a nut anyway. she walked from a small town in france. took her 35 days. another friend of mine told me that a friend of his did it too. but he drove. only took him 2 days. smart boy !


(santiagoDC: into the churches)


(santiagoDC: more churches)


(santiagoDC: much more churches)


(santiagoDC: square of churches)


(santiagoDC: churches ...)


(santiagoDC: inside some church)


(santiagoDC: side wall of a church)

this place really do have alot of character. the town's got everything ... there is the old town, the new, a huge park, great shopping, good food ... etc. really glad i made it all the way. should have come here sooner. oh well.


(santiagoDC: random shots)


(santiagoDC: more random shots)

i got a map and there were some advertising about shopping on it. it reads ... Here we have the most prestigious national and international firms: Alcampo, MCDONALD'S, zara, roberto verino, ... go firgure.

anyway ... be mesmerized by the pics ...


(santiagoDC: the park)

xxx. j.

Annecy: oh wow somemore !

Hey andrew,

so, the submission is over and unwinding time ? i m having a great time unwinding. its such a fantastic feeling. so think everyone should be in my position right now. i hope all is good with you and more good news to follow. i m looking forward to hear them all.


(annecy part deux)

Day 19: uphill battle
so i decided i really like this place and i didnt get to see much yesterday and wanted to be cheap, i checked out of the hotel and went looking for the youth hostel. man, the hostel is right up at the top of the hill and the road leading up there is STEEP ! thank gawd there are wheels on my bag plus i had this huge bottle to add to the weight of the bag and so far i had only consumed 3 teaspoon full from it. urgh.

the hostel looks amazing. so comfortable and new and clean. i had the room all to myself. its almost deserted there. its almost overlooking the very beautiful lake. i brought my swimmers and head down to the lake. the water was so damn inviting. i felt the water and it was super freezing. then i saw a group of elderly people probably in their 70s going into the water. also there were some kids at most 5 going into the water. i was like. if they can do it, so can i. i jumped into the water from the pier. gawd, i lasted for at most 2 minutes and i had to get up. no regrets. i m glad i did it. it was a sunny day. i spent the rest of the day lying by the pier. it was so damn relaxing i finally felt that i for the first time i am actually on a holiday.

at night at the bar, there were only this aussie girl who now works in belfast, another aussie bloke who lives in manly, a french dude and the bar tender was from central america. oh what a night.

ok i am missing kaori. big issue. i so need a haircut now. cant decide if i should get it cut in paris, new york or barcelona. do i wanna look like a french, american or spanish. gawd. the decisions you gotta make while you are on holiday. ... loving each day !!!!

xxx. j.