A Quinta in the Douro

I have to share about a place we visited only briefly, for an afternoon and one night.  As we traveled back home from Spain, we drove through the Douro, the northern part of Portugal east of Porto.  The Douro is a mountainous region in which grapes are grown for the delicious wine Portugal produces. 

The views are spectacular as the vines and quintas or farms, seem to cling to the mountain sides in.  I am familiar with vineyards and the many acres of grapevines I grew up around in the midst of in the central valley of California, but these vineyards are planted on the sides of mountains, terraced with stone walls.  Olive trees are interspersed with the grape vines causing a beauty almost indescribable. 

The grapes, as in California will be harvested in the next weeks producing wines and ports that we have come to enjoy very much. 

The quinta we spent the night at was built in approximately the mid 1800's by a Viscount, and was an official government residence.  A relaxing afternoon at the pool overlooking a valley of vineyards, rooms that had originality and character, a breakfast that was so delicious, and a walk through the main house (I need to say "palace"), and many huge banquet rooms used currently for numerous  weddings, filled our short stay.  As we enjoyed our morning walk around the quinta, we realized it was much larger than we thought when we first arrived.  

Again, words are hard to describe what my eyes and senses experienced.  A few pictures will have to do… Enjoy!

Douro region

Terraced vineyards with stone walls

Vineyards and olive trees

Arriving at the quinta

Long driveway.... lined with apple trees

Welcome!

Our rooms in the former stables/out building/work area

Our room, beds upsatairs

O & M's room (notice wine and olive oil press to the left)

Quinta gardens



Walking down to the pool



Arbor -- almost ripe



View from pool area



View from the porch

Inside one of the many living areas inside the Quinta

Small chapel

Quinta in middle of picture (all the buildings)

Four Pilgrims in Espanha

The days pass quickly when one is with good friends on the road to unknown places.  

The miles (or should I say kilometers) go by effortlessly as the conversation and laughs are never at a loss.

We made plans to head north in Portugal and cross the border into Espanha for a few days.  R and I had not ever been to Spain together except for a plane change on a trip years ago, so this was definitely new territory for us.  O & M had only been to central Spain in years past.  

As we arrived at the border, I was disappointed that we weren't going to get a new stamp in our passports.  We did learn that crossing the northern border of Portugal into Spain meant a time change - one hour ahead.  The signs on the highway immediately were difficult to understand as none of us speak or understand Spanish.  

As we found our way to our first stop, our hotel in Vigo, Espanha, we realized the road signs (IF we could even find them) were hard to follow.  Finally with the help of a police escort, we arrived at our hotel.  

Vigo  Espanha

Finding our way...

Vigo

Vigo

Vigo

Vigo

Vigo - A large industrial city

Food staples in Espanha also!

Dinner???  Not so much!

Two confused tourists having a hard time reading the menu!  (Welcome to my world!)

Two happy tourists watching two confused tourists!

After dinner, a walk and a night spent in Vigo, we continued our journey which took us inland to Santiago, Spain.  Santiago de Compostela is a destination for many tourists and "pilgrims".  (You may have heard about the horrific train wreck in Spain about one month ago in which the train was traveling twice the speed it should have been going, killing many people.  This train was on its way into Santiago as it was to be a special festival time for many to come on this pilgrimage or journey into the city.  Three days mourning was declared in the city.)   

Santiago  Espanha

Santiago

Lost???  ......  Never!!!

Some of the many Cathedral steeples in Santiago

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela borders the main plaza of the old city.  Legend has it that the remains of the apostle James were brought to Galicia, the western region of Spain above Portugal, for burial in the site of Santiago de Compostela, by a shepherd guided by a star who was watching his flocks at night.  Then to honor St. James, the cathedral was built on the spot where his remains were said to have been found.  Legend also tells us that St. James found his way to the Iberian Peninsula and had preached concerning the missionary activities and final resting places of the apostles of Jesus. 

Cathedral Santiago de Compostela

Cathedral Santiago de Compostela - packed with people

Ornate golden altar

Saint James

Saint James' bones

One could even walk up into and behind the altar and "embrace the Apostle"

St. James

Embracing the "apostle O"???

Side chapel inside the Cathedral (notice the shell symbol at top right)

St. James

Side chapel inside the Cathedral

Cathedral Santiago de Compostela

I noticed as we walked in this amazing city of Medieval cathedrals (12 in all),  a scallop shell symbol on the sidewalks, on doors and posts, and also around the necks of many.  A little research explained that the symbolism is associated with James, the apostle, the son of Zebedee, a fisherman of Galilee and brother of John.  He was one of the apostles closest to Jesus, being present with Peter and John at the Transfiguration and again at the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus prayed. 

Legend tells of his mission to Spain and burial which then became one of the great pilgrimages established by the 11^th century and is next to importance to Jerusalem and Rome. 

In art James appears as a pilgrim wearing a broad brimmed hat and cloak.  From his staff or shoulder hangs the wallet or water gourd of the pilgrim.  The scallop shell appears on his hat or cloak. 

Today in Spain the shell marks the path to reassure participants that they are have not taken a wrong turn.  Local residents decorate their houses and gardens with shells.  

Several of the 12 cathedrals in Santiago...

Scallop shells

While we stood in the large square looking up at the cathedral and admiring its incredible size and beauty, many around us were not only tourists, but many were "pilgrims" that had made a journey by way of driving, riding bicycles and most by walking, as they carried a staff to identify with the pilgrimage of James.  We were very curious as to what those who had just traveled many kilometers by foot were thinking and feeling.  

Pilgrims in the cathedral square

Hikers

Bicyclists

Commercialism in the square (trinket booth)

Four young men sharing with O & R

R and O began to ask various ones around us.  A group of four young men were especially interesting to engage in conversation with.  Each one and had walked many kilometers and each began their journey in completely different places, one in particular had walked over 1000 kilometers in with this place as his destination.  Each spoke English well and seemed glad to share some of their experience.  It was very interesting that none of them knew each other before this journey they had each taken.  They met and became friends along the way.  They had come from Italy, Spain and France.  

All those we saw, observed and talked to were here because they were seeking something.  Each one seeking something bigger than themselves?
Seeking peace?
Seeking themselves? 
Seeking accomplishment?
Seeking relationship?
Seeking God?

We are four pilgrims on a life long journey seeking to know our Lord and Savior in a new, better and personal way.  We talked to four pilgrims on their own journey.  

"Ask and it will be given to you;
SEEK and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.  
For everyone who asks receives;
he who SEEKS finds; 
and to him who knocks,
the door will be opened." 

Matthew 7.7-8