Victoria (Toria) Melendez Hungerford

The first time I had learned about Galicia Spain, was from my mother who had always loved the sound of the bagpipe and watched the Galicians win a bagpipe competition in San Diego, CA.

Years later, I began researching an idea I had for a children’s chapter book. During my research everything lead me to Galicia as where my story would take place. 

After researching Galicia for several years,  my husband suggested we vacation there  as “research” for my book. I jumped at the chance to experience Galicia in person. 

Upon arrival, I felt as if I was returning to 

a place I had long forgotten. I was instantly connected to the land, the old villages, 

and their way of life. This rural area of Spain

 is wine country, with hills of green in every direction.

I visited all the places that I wrote about in my story, including an old monastery, museums, and ancient Celtic ruins. We drank the wine, ate tapas and dined with the locals, toured artist's studios, listened to the songs of the gaita, and explored the land. We visited Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia, where it is said that King Ferdinand II de Leon of Galicia is buried. 

When the time had come to head home, 

I felt a deep sorrow and literally wept as I said good-bye to my new friends and beloved 

Galicia, promising to return someday. 

Several months later, my uncle (on my mother's side) who had been researching our ancestors discovered that I was the 15th Great Granddaughter of King 

Ferdinand II de Leon of Galicia.

It is my belief that my Galician ancestors had summoned me to visit their magical place, and someday tell their story. 

“Para Galicia!” 

PARA GALICIA!
A primeira vez que souben de Galicia España foi da miña nai que sempre lle encantou o son da gaita e viu como os galegos gañaban unha competición de gaita en San Diego, CA.

Anos despois, comecei a investigar unha idea que tiña para un libro de capítulos para nenos. Durante a miña investigación, todo me levou a Galicia como onde tería lugar a miña historia.

Despois de investigar Galicia durante varios anos, o meu marido suxeriu que fósemos alí para vacacións como "investigación" do meu libro. Botei a oportunidade de experimentar Galicia en persoa.

Ao chegar, sentín como se volvese a
un lugar que esquecera hai tempo. Estiven conectado ao instante á terra, ás vellas aldeas,
e o seu modo de vida. Esta zona rural de España
é un país vitivinícola, con outeiros verdes en todas as direccións.

Visitei todos os lugares sobre os que escribín na miña historia, incluído un vello mosteiro, museos e antigas ruínas celtas. Bebemos o viño, comemos tapas e ceamos cos veciños, percorremos os estudos do artista, escoitamos as cancións da gaita e exploramos a terra. Visitamos Santiago de Compostela, a capital de Galicia, onde se di que está enterrado o rei Fernando II de León de Galicia.

Cando chegou o momento de volver a casa,
Sentín unha profunda pena e literalmente chorei mentres me despedía dos meus novos amigos e queridos
Galicia, prometendo volver algún día.

Varios meses despois, o meu tío (do lado da miña nai) que estivera investigando sobre os nosos antepasados ​​descubriu que eu era a 15a Gran Neta do Rei
Fernando II de León de Galicia.

Creo que os meus antepasados ​​galegos me convocaran para visitar o seu máxico lugar e algún día contar a súa historia.

“Para Galicia!”