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 [email protected].

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)...