ZaZara
AstraZaZara
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2014
- Messages
- 8,462
- Reaction score
- 18,214
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO: DNA CONFIRMS BODY BELONGS TO DENISE THIEM
AZCentral - with video
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news.../?hootPostID=07e752016366c3cf9ebf02dbd11741d0
Each year, tens of thousands of people walk various routes to reach Santiago de Compostela, a historic cathedral in the country's northwest corner, which is believed to house the remains of the apostle St. James. Some go for a religious pilgrimage. Others go for a physical challenge or a vacation.
The Camino is often portrayed as an idyllic journey, where one can engage in solitary reflection as well as an unusual camaraderie among strangers along the route. The hike was made more popular after release of "The Way," a 2010 film starring Martin Sheen that follows his character's soul-searching walk to Santiago after the death of his son.
However, after Thiem's disappearance, reports of other travelers being harassed on the Camino began to surface on message boards. Several outlets, including the Spanish national newspaper El Pais, have reported that the arrested man had a history of harassing and attacking pilgrims along that stretch of the Camino de Santiago.
"Her family and her friends, even the pilgrims who did the hike with her, have all said, would've should've could've," Peterson said. She referred in part to a letter from the last hiker known to have seen Thiem alive, who expressed regrets that he did not continue to walk with Thiem after Astorga, just before she disappeared.
"It breaks my heart knowing that there's other folks...(who) feel the same way," Peterson said. "We wish we could have done something different in hindsight. But no one ever expects this to happen."
Spanish officials have continued to maintain the Camino de Santiago, a major tourism draw, is safe. Peterson said she hopes Thiem's death is not in vain and that there is more attention paid to hikers' safety.
"I knew Denise and I knew she was a smart person," Peterson said. "I hope that the folks that help support the Camino take a little bit more responsibility and accountability of the safety of the pilgrims."
BBM
AZCentral - with video
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news.../?hootPostID=07e752016366c3cf9ebf02dbd11741d0
Each year, tens of thousands of people walk various routes to reach Santiago de Compostela, a historic cathedral in the country's northwest corner, which is believed to house the remains of the apostle St. James. Some go for a religious pilgrimage. Others go for a physical challenge or a vacation.
The Camino is often portrayed as an idyllic journey, where one can engage in solitary reflection as well as an unusual camaraderie among strangers along the route. The hike was made more popular after release of "The Way," a 2010 film starring Martin Sheen that follows his character's soul-searching walk to Santiago after the death of his son.
However, after Thiem's disappearance, reports of other travelers being harassed on the Camino began to surface on message boards. Several outlets, including the Spanish national newspaper El Pais, have reported that the arrested man had a history of harassing and attacking pilgrims along that stretch of the Camino de Santiago.
"Her family and her friends, even the pilgrims who did the hike with her, have all said, would've should've could've," Peterson said. She referred in part to a letter from the last hiker known to have seen Thiem alive, who expressed regrets that he did not continue to walk with Thiem after Astorga, just before she disappeared.
"It breaks my heart knowing that there's other folks...(who) feel the same way," Peterson said. "We wish we could have done something different in hindsight. But no one ever expects this to happen."
Spanish officials have continued to maintain the Camino de Santiago, a major tourism draw, is safe. Peterson said she hopes Thiem's death is not in vain and that there is more attention paid to hikers' safety.
"I knew Denise and I knew she was a smart person," Peterson said. "I hope that the folks that help support the Camino take a little bit more responsibility and accountability of the safety of the pilgrims."
BBM