Translation to Engl​ish



Spanish Route episode SEVEN. Your guided tour to Spanish



Good morning, good afternoon or good evening. I'm Sergio and I'm your personal trainer Spanish. And as you know if you've heard earlier chapters I speak from Galicia in northern Spain.



This is the seventh program, your seventh stage on your way to Spanish. Today let's talk about the Camino de Santiago (the way of Saint James). I'll tell you a little about what is the way of Santiago and practice the basic vocabulary you need to know if you want to come to Spain to perform this pilgrimage route.



If you want to do the Way of Saint James (Camino de Santiago) I recommend you look further information on the internet, also in your language, because in this program will just basic approach. We can go deeper on the "Camino de Santiago in upcoming programs. And if you have any questions you can write to sergio@spanishroute.com.



But first of all, as always, I would also like to remind you that you have the transcription and translation into English of this class on my website spanishroute.com. 



And if you want to improve your speech I can help you practice your Spanish with Skype sessions or other online video conference program.  



And now. Let's start with the class



The Way of St. James to learn Spanish



​Visiting Spain to do the "Camino de Santiago" is a good idea for many reasons.. It's also a good excuse to practice your Spanish. While on the road you will find many foreign pilgrims are mostly Spanish. You can also talk to the inhabitants of towns and cities and with hostels workers and volunteers.



I have done the "Camino de Santiago" twice. And I've met foreign pilgrims who knew nothing of Spanish and is fun to teach vocabulary for "El Camino".



Okay, if you've never heard of the Camino de Santiago I'll explain briefly.



The Camino de Santiago is a Christian pilgrimage route that from the 10th century crosses Europe to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Where, supposedly, the Apostle James is buried. 



The city of Santiago de Compostela is in Galicia. A Spanish region of northwestern Spain.



Its cathedral is Romanesque but has later additions. Its main facade (in the Plaza del Obradoiro) is baroque. Of the eighteenth century.



The Camino de Santiago has many possible routes and today are marked with "flechas amarillas" (yellow arrows) and with other signals such as the drawing of the "concha de vieira" (scallop shell) . You know what that means "flechas amarillas" and "concha de vieira"? Very good.



Mainly, the Camino de Santiago is on foot (andanddo, a pie) or by bicycle. The verb "andar" (to walk) has another synonym that is "caminar". Which it originates at the root of the word "camino" (way). In fact the first person present indicative of the verb walk is "yo camino" (I walk). Like the noun: "el camino" (the way). The rest of the conjugation of the verb "caminar" (to walk) in the present indicative is: 



Tú caminas. El, ella o usted camina. Nosotros/as caminamos. Vosotros/as camináis. Ellos/as (o ustedes) caminan. (You walk. He, she walk. , We walk. You walk. They walk).



The verb "andar" in the present indicative is: Yo ando. Tú andas, El, ella o usted anda. Nosotros/as andamos. Vosotros/as andáis. Ellos/as o ustedes andan.



To say that you travel by bicycle or that you go by bicycle it is said: "montar en bicicleta" (to ride a bicycle). Yo monto en bicicleta (I ride a bike). The sport of riding a bicycle is "el ciclismo" (cycling).



​You can also do the Camino de Santiago "montado a caballo" (on horseback, by horse) but today there are very few pilgrims who do the Camino by horse. As you can see, to indicate that you are riding a bicycle or riding a horse, we use the verb "montar" (to ride) in Spanish. montar en bicicleta, montar a caballo (to ride a bike, to ride a horse). It is also used for motorcycle. Yo monto en moto (I ride a motorbike). "Moto" is short for "motocicleta" (motorcycle). Me gusta montar en moto (I like to ride a motorcycle).



From the noun "peregrino" (pilgrim), we have words derived from the same root ... we have the verb "peregrinar" (pilgrimage) , and other substantive as "peregrinación" or "peregrinage",  which are synonymous and mean action and effect of "peregrinar".



Where does the "Camino de Santiago" start?



The Way of Saint James can start anywhere. In fact, in ancient times, each pilgrim began his way from the door of his house. Today there are many routes signposted as "Camino de Santiago". But the most famous is "El Camino Francés" (the French way). That from France, enters Spain by Roncesvalles, in the Pyrenees, and for almost 900 km crossing the Iberian Peninsula through the regions of Navarra, Castilla y Leon and Galicia.



El Camino Francés (The French way) is the most frequented by pilgrims from around the world, especially in the summer months. But there are other routes well known as El Camino del Norte" (the Northern Way), which from Irun (also almost 900 km) on the border of the Basque Country with France, runs along the north coast of Spain. El Primitivo (El Camino Primitivo) (The Primitive) starts in Oviedo (capital of Asturias) and crosses the mountainous interior of Asturias and Galicia in about 320 km.



El Camino Portugues (The way Portuguese) is also well known and starts in Portugal. Porto is a common departure point on this route and crosses the neighboring country from South to North.



Each pilgrim can start your way at the point of the route choice, depending on the available days for walking and schedule where you want to reach Compostela.



There are also many pilgrims on the road sections. And every year on vacation for a few days run through several stages of the chosen route.



In the Camino de Santiago there are many albergues (hostels) to sleep. They are Hostels with bunk beds only for pilgrims. The word "hostel" is also beginning to be used in Spain, but it is a word of English origin which must be translated by "albergue".



The word "hostel" can also be translated by hostal" (in Spanish)l, but in Spain "los hostales" are usually single or double rooms and "albergues" have bunk beds for more guests.



​But not required to sleep in "albergues". There are many pilgrims who sleep in "Hoteles, hostales o pensiones". These are the three most common words in Spanish to designate establishments where you can host a traveler.



The "Hoteles" (hotels) are larger and more expensive. The "hostales y pensiones" (inns or guest houses) are lesser establishments and also lower price. The word "hostal" or "pensión" may be considered synonymous since there are few differences between these two types of accommodation.   



As for the hostels on the road to Santiago, there are public and private ones. Publics are usually cheaper and are managed by local councils or associations. Some only charge (ask for) a donation for maintenance.



To be able to sleep in a "albergue público" (public hostel) and in some private only for pilgrims need to have the "Credencial del Peregrino" (credential of the pilgrim), which is a document such as a passport with your information, you should go stamping (sellando, sellar, sello) every day for each town and hostel you go.



Useful question: ¿Dónde está el albergue? (Where is the hostel?)



This credential with all seals also allow you to apply the "Compostela" which is the diploma that accredits you've done the Camino de Santiago. This diploma is given to those pilgrims who have traveled more than 100 km on foot or over 200 km bike. Is requested at the end of the road at Pilgrim Office is in Santiago de Compostela.



The Camino de Santiago is a Christian pilgrimage route, but, today, many pilgrims walk the route for tourist, cultural or sporting reasons and not so much by a religious feeling. But the Camino de Santiago always tries to pass near the most representative Christian churches and draws the attention of art lovers and religious architecture.



Different names for Christian churches in Spanish.



The cathedrals are larger churches. There are in cities where a bishop resides. Chapels, are the smallest churches. It is also called the minor altars chapels in cathedrals or churches.



Hermitages are very small chapels and temples at the foot of the road or in very small populations.



Words with similar meanings:



On the way you walk by santiago by trails in the forest and from plantations where crops do not run motor vehicles. Sometimes if you walk on roads little busy especially in the entrances and exits of towns and cities. Usually it is a route through the rural areas of the Spanish geography. Where the natural landscape has its main value.



The Camino de Santiago is a very safe route. Just usually no problems or incidents. In hostels there is usually no thefts but be a little careful with belongings . Especially in the largest hostels in the cities. The volunteer staff or worker hostels will help you in everything you need. Also if you have foot injuries.



When you have an accident or are seriously ill you have to go to hospital.



I want to go to hospital. Where is the hospital?



In the Middle Ages pilgrims' hostels hospitals were called, hence the word derives hospitalero , which is in charge of a hostel. And the words hospitality and hospitable . Other words like inn, hostel accommodation and also have the same origin.



Feet and footwear



The foot is one of the most important parts of the body for pilgrims. They are walking many hours and kilometers. Try not carry much weight in the backpack . Do not carry tent if you go to sleep in shelters and cooking utensils. With a sleeping bag is enough. You know what the sleeping bag ? And tent ? Very good.



Choose a good shoe . Footwear ... What shoes?



Shoes, sneakers, boots, tennis ... they are names for different types of footwear. The sneakers are also known in Spain with the word tennis ,