“Nom e espana!” or this is not Spain. You often see this displayed on bumper stickers, shirts, and grafiti throughout Galicia, Spain. And in many ways it is true. Galicia, although technically in Spain, does not feel like Spain. There are no bullfights, no flamenco music, and tapas, and no warm sandy desert. Instead you will find a rainy land on Spain’s northwest coast which, for some strange reason, seems to have more in common with Ireland than Andalusia. Here you will find green rolling hills, draped in fog and superstitions of witches (bruxas) and wizards (meixas). Galician’s also play the bagpipes instead of the guitar, and like their Atlantic cousins in Ireland, have a Celtic history.
So, if you go to Galicia, visit the tomb of St. James in the famed Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Or visit the Tower of Hercules in A Coruña. At the very least travel north and see the beautiful “Beach of the Cathedrals” in San Miguel.
I spent a year there when I was 1 9 and made some lifelong friends. Two of my Galician friends, Rut Rey, and Fernando Anton traveled to the Unitied States to study in Iowa upon my return. During their three years in the states, the always traveled from Iowa to spend Christmas with my family and I. They have since moved to Belgium, but they were gracious enough to let me spend Christmas with their family a few years ago. Below are some the photos I took during my year there and from my Christmas with them. Enjoy.
Such beautiful pictures of home !!!