Camino de Santiago – Current Reporting
Download the full report „Alphas en camino – with 80 pilgrims to the end of the world“:
Two weeks after the end of our wonderful trip, it's time to recount and summarize the events of September 1st with a little distance.
On Saturday morning, we all arrived together through the Pilgrim's Gate in Santiago. "All" refers to almost 80 fellow hikers, including 13 people requiring oxygen, 10 children, and 35 other Alphas with about 20 family members and friends.
As a registered group, we were able to enter the cathedral without delay. A group photo was taken for the press beforehand. Galician television and the newspaper Voz de Galicia broadcast live.
The atmosphere in the cathedral was very solemn. The sermon spoke extensively about our journey and the illness. After the sermon, Mariano Pastor (President of Alfa1 Spain) and Gonny Gutierrez (Director of Alpha1 Global) read a prayer of supplication in English and Spanish from the high altar. The German version will be available on the Alpha1 Germany website in a few days.
After the swinging of the butafumeiro vessel and the drumming and dancing performance by the Mexican group, the atmosphere was almost euphoric. We still had a little time in the cathedral to see the tomb of St. James and touch the statue of Saint James to give thanks for our safe arrival in Santiago.
After lunch at the Hospederia de San Martino near the cathedral, the entire group moved to a conference room in the hotel. There, the Santiago Declaration was read aloud, a document summarizing the main demands and concerns of those with Alpha-1 dementia. This document will also be available in German shortly.
The document was read aloud by a young fellow traveler from Melilla (a Spanish enclave in Morocco). Among those present was the president of the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), Dr. Carlos Andrés Jiménez-Ruiz.
The day ended with a farewell dinner in a former monastery building. The atmosphere was very emotional once again. After dinner, Mariano Pastor gave a short speech in which he thanked everyone involved and said that another hike wasn't out of the question. The international group from New Zealand, the USA, Belgium, France, Norway, and Germany had collected donations, and I had the honor of presenting the donation to Mariano for Alfa1 Spain.
Afterwards, we all gave a standing ovation to the organizing team led by Elena Goyanes and her fantastic, always cheerful helpers. Their exceptional logistical skills and personal dedication were instrumental in the success of our hike. Whether it was about hotel rooms, meals, or unexpectedly picking up a hiker, they were always ready to listen and did everything they could to make our wishes come true.
It was an emotional and heartfelt farewell. Phone numbers and addresses were exchanged, goodbye kisses rained down, and many tears were shed. It was late into the night before the last of them finally fell wearily into bed.
For our German group, the journey continued on Sunday. Everyone wanted to reach the end of the world, Finisterre, the true end of the Camino de Santiago. We set off in two cars for the coast, about 90 km away. There, according to ancient tradition, many pilgrims burn personal belongings to symbolize a new life after the pilgrimage. We didn't go that far, but my brother Michael left his ancient hiking boots somewhere on the cliffs overlooking the sea. After a wonderfully sunny day, we too had to say our final goodbyes.
For me personally, Sunday wasn't my last day in Santiago either. Elena and her husband Pepe had prepared everything for my opioid substitution therapy at the University Hospital in Santiago. At the pulmonology outpatient clinic, Judith and Vicky took my medication and handed it over to the pharmacy. After this preparation, I received the infusion half an hour later.
This hike has further strengthened the relationship between Alfa1 Spain and Alpha1 Germany. The international networking has led to a more intensive exchange of information, and another hike is a distinct possibility.
Dear Marion, dear Gabi,
Today I finally get around to sending you some information about the final Saturday in Santiago and attaching a few photos.
On the morning of September 1st, we set off from Monte Gozo to Santiago. All three groups hiked the last 4.5 km together. When we arrived in Santiago at 11:00 am in the sunshine, all participants were very, very proud. Seven people requiring oxygen, many Alphas with ZZ, and one lung transplant recipient successfully completed the route in their respective groups.
The atmosphere outside the cathedral was euphoric. Many tears were shed, and the service inside was deeply moving. Almost everything revolved around Alpha 1, and the flying butafumeiro censer filled with incense added to the atmosphere. When a Mexican folk group was finally allowed to dance and play music inside the cathedral, it became truly sensational.
Many of us continued dancing with the Mexicans from Monterrey in the square.
Before I write in detail, I'd like to draw a conclusion: Despite all the language barriers, we've made many friends we would never have met without Alpha1. Many wonderful people invited us to Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia; almost everyone rose to the occasion, and thanks to the fantastic and always cheerful atmosphere, we've achieved so much. Above all, we've definitely succeeded in encouraging many fellow sufferers and their families, raising awareness of the disease, and providing inspiration for similar projects.
It was a phenomenal trip.
See you soon!
Bernd
Dear Marion, dear Gabi,
Yesterday we arrived at Monte Gozo and could see the three spires of Santiago Cathedral in the distance. Today we arrive in Santiago with 85 members from 9 countries. I will report on this in detail and of course include photos.
With a hearty Ulreia (the greeting of the pilgrims of St. James)
Bernd
Dear Marion, dear Gabi,
Here's the first short report of our Camino de Santiago experience. We've been incredibly lucky with the weather, the atmosphere in the whole group is fantastic, and the organization behind the hike is superb. The German group is doing great; apart from blisters and sore muscles, there haven't been any major problems. The sun has shone every day so far, we've had lots of contact with the Spanish and international fellow pilgrims, the food is good, and we have comfortable accommodations.
More details next week.
Best regards
Bernd Dobbert
Detailed report from Spain by Alfa1 Espana (including many photos):
Impressions
