Spain
Spain

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    • Day 12–13

      Day 11 to San Juan de Ortega

      5 hours ago in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

      Less cold than yesterday... but somehow we all had aches & pains... 26 (or so) km's..
      Like a trail run..m you never know exactly how far it will be!

      But we were all glad to arrive in San Juan... minute place... but with the sun that came out, it's great... wine, food & Voltaren gel!Read more

    • Day 31

      Caldas de Reis

      Yesterday in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

      Heute morgen starteten wir um 7 Uhr beim Hostel und trafen vor der Tür Ted und Henry, die uns erzählten, dass heute in Galicia ein Feiertag und somit alles geschlossen ist, außer den Bars. Wir waren natürlich überrascht, aber dann müssen wir eben Essen gehen, wird sich was finden.
      17.Mai ist in Galicia ein gesetzlicher Feiertag, literature day, Tag der Literatur. Die erste Feier fand 1963 zum Gedenken an den 100. Jahrestag einer der bedeutendsten Dichterinnen in der Geschichte Galiziens statt.
      Ansonst gibt es zum heutigen Regentag nicht viel zu sagen. Bis Mittag hat es geregnet, dann kam die Sonne raus und es war schwül, aber fein. Aber denkste, kurz vor 13 Uhr , noch bevor die Albergue öffnete, schüttete es wieder. Eine warme Dusche war angesagt und Essen f. 18:30 in einer Burgeria, nicht weit entfernt. Nur noch 2 Etappen bis Santiago. Wir werden alle gemeinsam einlaufen und die Messe besuchen.
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    • Day 5

      Camino Begins!

      Yesterday in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 39 °F

      We did it! Well at least the first 13 miles of the 150 🤪

      It was cold and rainy but an incredible first day. 😄

      The landscape is beautiful. Tons of Green a color we don’t see in Vegas.

      ——————————————-

      Route Summary
      Destination: Triacastela, Galicia
      13 mi, 1117 ft

      Starting the stage in O Cebreiro means immersing yourself in a world where history and legend intertwine. Known for its pallozas and its mystical air, this village offers a unique perspective of the Way of St. James.
      As you move on, the road descends through the majestic Sierra de Ancares, presenting breathtaking landscapes and evoking stories of ancient Celtic villages. Each step towards Triacastela is a descent through the natural and cultural diversity of Galicia, culminating in a village that marks the beginning of new discoveries and the promise of more wonders on the Camino. The final stretch to Triacastela is a descent through a landscape that mixes rich vegetation with the history and traditions of the region.
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    • Day 9

      At last! Some sun 🌞

      May 16 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

      We had a really good night's sleep at the campsite, sharing our room with Maria from Peru (although she's lived in Germany for over 20 years). Half way through the night we were woken by howling wind and rain - all good because we were snug in our beds and hopefully that was the weather front passing, leaving us with lots of dry weather when we woke up!
      We weren't disappointed because the sky was blue and it was beautiful walking weather - we still had the breeze from the Atlantic but the sun glasses were on 👏.
      After about half an hour of roadside walking, we took a right turn up into some amazing woodland. The path became large (and small) boulders, grass and mud, but it was such beautiful countryside, albeit quite steep in places, that nothing mattered. We wandered through small hamlets, past sheep and a couple of goats, but no pop-up stalls for a drink stop in the sunshine. Still, it didn't seem long before we reached Baiona, a seaside town, where we stopped at a café for our first tortilla of this camino, and were we disappointed? Yes!🙄😂 It was very dry, but that didn't stop us eating it! Sid had a good go, too!
      We found the Tourist Information for a stamp in our Pilgrim Passports and were off again, on the lookout for a Gelato shop. But there were none to be found 😫 until, according to Google maps, Playa America, close to Nigrán, so we headed there! Were we disappointed? Yes!🙄😂 It was closed... But we found a small café/restaurant place and stopped there for a cold drink.
      We'd already decided this was as far as we were walking and were ready to take the bus into Vigo. We used our phones to find the closest bus stop to Vigo, found the timetable, and took ourselves off. The bus stop wasn't signed but we were definitely there, so when the bus arrived, and drove straight past us, with the driver giving us a shake of the head and a finger wag, we started looking again! Another bus passed us, so we walked a km or so onwards to the next 'real' bus stop. Whilst we were waiting there, the heavens opened, so it was a quick change into waterproofs. Despite sitting there for well over an hour, probably closer to 2, not one bus arrived, despite the timetable telling us they would🙄. What next? A taxi!!! We went into the local tobacconists and two very lovely Spanish ladies booked us one, which quickly arrived and sped us off to our accommodation here in Vigo. But... they keys were at the office, a 10 minute walk away... Another lovely lady (I'm in 2B, come for a coffee!), said through translation with her neighbour in 2C, that the owner of the flat was Galician and should 'have the balls' to come here😂. Anyway, we walked quickly to the office, picked up our keys, and walked back - all in the pouring rain. We were drenched!
      A quick trip to the supermarket next door for provisions found the lady again, who began to tell everyone who we were😂. But we're in, and it's great. We've finally managed to wash our clothes (thanks, Yvonne🤗), and now we're waiting for Luke and Ray to join us. But they've been having their own issues getting here, so are a day late! It's now our rest day and I've been out to find something healthy for breakfast, only to discover (remember) it's Galician literature day so all the supermarkets are closed🙄, so more carb it is... And it's due to rain heavily tomorrow when we start walking again... 😂😂😂
      Looking on the bright side, my foot's healed 👏🙏👏.
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    • Day 46–51

      Dill, Atung, Auto

      May 11 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      Zum ersten Mal auf einem Campingplatz aus dem Campingführer (des ADAC). Alles reglementiert, korrekt, man spricht deutsch. Ich finde es amüsant, wie sich dutzende einem starren Ablauf fügen, Tag für Tag. Wir sind nur Gäste zweiter Klasse, denn wir haben für drei Tage gebucht, Wetter bedingt um weitere zwei Tage verlängert. Herr und Frau Pensionär rechnen eher in Monaten, man kennt sich und mag sich oder eben nicht so sehr 😀
      Wir haben Glück und haben tolle Nachbarn, und Aira und Runa gehen dort ein und aus als wärs ihr erweitertes Zuhause.
      Das ganze Unterhaltungsprogramm braucht es für mich nicht, mir gefällts im Meer am besten. Die 19° fühlen sich angenehm an.
      So haben wir ruhige Tage mit baden verbracht, im Pool, Meer oder auch in einer warmen Quelle (Montarejo), welche angeblich vom letzten maurischen Regierungschef von Valencia Zayd abu Zayd als Badeort genutzt wurde. Die Temperaturen waren aber dennoch nur etwas für mich..
      Auch bin ich sozusagen meinem ursprünglichen Reiseplan begegnet. Bei einer kurzen Fahrradtour sind mir plötzlich die Wegmarkierungen aufgefallen, Eurovelo 8, der Fahrradweg entlang dem Mittelmeer von Spanien bis Griechenland. Anstatt von Spanien in die Schweiz zu fahren sind wir ein kurzes, aber schönes Stück auf diesem Radweg gewesen.
      Nun zum Dill, Atung, Auto. Hier muss ich etwas ausholen. Aira nennt mich häufiger beim Namen als Papa. Dann bringen wir Runa bei, sich als Fussgängerin zu verhalten und sagen häufiger "Achtung Auto". Und so kommts, dass Runa das Gelernte einsetzt und kombiniert, Dill, Atung Auto. Oder eben, Phil, Achtung Auto.
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    • Day 10

      Day 10 On to Logrono, a bigger town!

      May 15 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

      We have hiked 153.5 kilometers of the Camino so far! We took a short day, hiking to Logrono today so we could relax and enjoy the bigger town. Enjoyed lunch on the main square and then tappas par excellance for dinner on famous Laurel Street. Having a great time! Going long tomorrow.Read more

    • Day 37

      Lovely day in Córdoba

      May 16 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

      It is my birthday and has been an excellent day, and it hasn’t finished yet. We met Omnia for a leisurely breakfast around 8.30 in the little bakery attached to, but not part of, the hotel. Then we set off walking, via the tourist info which gave us a better map, and we discovered that our Mesquita tickets also qualify us for entrance to many churches dotted around the town. And it doesn’t have to be today…perfect.

      There are many little narrow streets, and flowers and courtyards, so pretty. We wandered down to the river, and walked over the Roman bridge and up the tower at the end, which is a museum plus a lovely view from the not very high top. We then walked through the old Jewish area, which was quite crowded - round the bridge, the Jewish quarter, the Mesquita and the alcazar is where the hordes go, but still not quite as confronting as Seville and Granada. And the weather remains kind - the same cool to start, and never getting too hot…

      Stopped for refreshments- croquetas - this time with prawn and spinach - and then went to the Mesquita for our 2pm time slot…we had bought tickets online, but of course found out today that for this we could have got them on the spot!! Oh well…it was easy. And very popular…many many people, but this is such a vast area it doesn’t feel too crowded. It was built as a huge mosque in 788 AD with many columns, and when the Christians overthrew the Arabs they turned it into a huge cathedral in the 1200s. It is an extraordinary building, with the columns and lamps like a mosque, then you find a gothic cathedral structure all amongst it. Fortunately they kept a lot the beautiful Islamic decoration…it is a huge area, and there are chapels all around the edge. It is hard to describe, and impossible to take photos that capture the whole, but of course we all attempt to.

      After that, Omnia had her own wander looking at the very interesting shops and streets, and we did our own wander, ending up with downtime back at hotel. Getting ready for birthday evening!

      …Now just, and it’s after 11..late! But we had a remarkable evening. First we went to the concert we had seen a notice about at the Conservatorio Superior de Musica - featuring saxophonists. So we thought might be fun…it was free, and obviously was students practising their performing… but they were good…it went for a little over an hour, and at first I was happy, but not enthralled, but then it pepped up, and they did a version of the Tchaikovsky serenade for strings arranged for 11 saxophones, some Manuel de Falla ending with the ritual fire dance, and an encore of a Brahms Hungarian dance!! Didn’t think I’d ever hear them played by saxophonists! They were good, and got riotous applause from (I think) fellow students…Amr took a short video of the encore - (not forbidden at this sort of concert!) it isn’t in focus, but you can get a sense of the fun!

      Then we went to a restaurant where we had booked for 9.30. Really good…not posh, but obviously popular and delicious food. At that hour it was still busy, but tourists had left by then…more people walked in after us…no problem, kitchen still busy. Lovely birthday evening!
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    • Day 9

      Day 8 walking!

      May 16 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

      The Albergue is very quirky and run by Pedro with a 13 year old rescue dog and a cat that snuggles up to the dog, very cute!
      Pedro made us all individual omelette for breakfast, and guessing he’s either a retired priest or lay preacher, as he put his hand on our heads individually and blessed us on our way. Also at a previous Albergue, the host Eleena rang a bell as we left and rang it and waved until we were out of sight. Some very kind hosts.
      Today’s first part of the walk was mostly down hill with undulating country side and cool breeze. We stopped for break in Santo Domingo which had beautiful cathedral. Here sadly my friend Sarah had to leave us and get a bus back as on early flight out tomorrow, and now we are two again.
      The rest of the day we walked through various small hamlets all with lovely churches, and rolling countryside but often alongside the N-120 main road, so apart from some encouraging beeps from truckers (?!) the traffic and road made the walk noisy and little dull. The final stretch is always the hardest but we made it to the Albergue after about 26 Km …. Shorter distance planned for tomorrow!
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    • Day 4

      O Cebreiro - Santiago

      May 16 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

      6 hour bus ride and we are here at the destination where we start our 150 mile Camino walk tomorrow! 😁

      Got our first stamp. That’s a thing. It’s like a medal 🥇 at each spot when you arrive. It’s awesome. I love medals.

      The town we are at is called Cebreiro. It’s cobblestones and castle looking homes. It’s awesome. I want to buy one.

      Everyone staying here are pilgrims, that’s what people are called that do the Camino. Or peligrinos in Spanish. It’s like being a part of a cool club or a cult, either way, super cool. 😎

      Went to our first mass of our adventure. It’s tradition for the peligrinos to attend as they begin their journey.

      Oh by the way, it’s cold and rainy 🥶.
      But God made cold, and rain, and the Camino…so it’s all good.

      Our hearts are ready. ♥️ ♥️

      Tomorrow it begins!!
      Read more

    • Day 36

      Last day in Santiago?

      May 16 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

      The question mark is there because Iberia workers have announced a partial work stoppage at the Santiago airport for today and tomorrow. In my opinion, it is totally justified. The nearby airport in Vigo is closed for runway repairs. Many of the flights have been diverted to Santiago, but there has been no increase in staffing by the big cheeses at Iberia. The workers are stressed and overworked, and they are only asking for more help to be brought on. It looks like there have been some concessions made, and today’s strike apparently only involved the cancellation of three flights. So I am mildly optimistic that my flight will go tomorrow morning as scheduled to Madrid.

      I’m glad to have had this day here, because I did have a lot of last-minute shopping to do. I was also able to have a nice long coffee with Ivar (who owns the Santiago internet forum). And I enjoyed having more time with Faith in the Pilgrim House. It always seems like I need her help. A few years ago she helped me take a Covid test online. In spite of how stressful it was, it did get me onto the plane! Another year she gave me a pair of walking sticks for me to take to Finisterre because my Z poles had broken. This year she brought me some duct tape to try to piece together the fraying fabric on my 24-year-old backpack. I was afraid that some of the baggage handling equipment might catch one of the little holes and just rip the whole pack open. Imagine how happy I was when an Australian pilgrim offered to undertake the repair job. She obviously knew what she was doing.

      The afternoon has been kind of flat, just wrapping olive oil in bubble wrap, packing up, and the very last of my shopping. It’s not that I get a lot, it’s just that I’m very indecisive and take way too long to figure out important questions like which T-shirts to get which grandkids. And I decided to go back to my favorite bean and spices place, as well as the cheese store down the street. So I have a lot to take home! For those who like beans, this place has a huge selection of beans all from Spain. Lentils, white beans, and the garbanzos that I just love. The cheese store is owned by the cheese maker, so I always like to buy few of their really good Gallego cheeses. Unlike one of my dear Camino friends, I am not a fan of the tetilla cheese, but I tasted a few others and got some really good ones today. One I especially liked was a blue cheese that was not quite as creamy as La Peral (my all-time favorite Asturian cheese), but was yummy. End of food tutorial.

      I can’t believe it was five weeks ago that I arrived in Spain. These Camino walks are so medicinal (in a good way). Though my body is definitely tired, and I know it was time to stop walking, it’s a positive high-five-giving kind of exhaustion.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Kingdom of Spain, Spanien, Spanish State, ስፔን, 스페인, ܐܣܦܢܝܐ, สเปน, スペイン, 에스파냐, ສະເປນ, እስፓንያ, ସ୍ପେନ୍, អេស្ប៉ាញ, ประเทศสเปน, An Spáinn, An Spàinn, Caxtillan, Esipaɲi, Esipanye, Espaañ, Espagne, Èspagne, Espaina, Espainia, España, Espangne, Espanha, Espania, Espanja, Espánjja, Espanya, Espânye, Espay, Estado Español, Hesperia, Hisipaniya, Hispaania, Hispania, Hispanio, Hispanujo, Hiszpania, Isbeyn, Ispagna, i-Spain, Ispaña, Ispanija, İspaniya, İspanya, Ispuanii, la Madre Patria, La pell de brau, La piel de toro, Nsipani, Orílẹ́ède Sipani, Pain, Paniora, Pāniora, Regne d'Espanya, Reino de España, sangue, Sbaen, Sepania, Sepanyol, Sepeni, Sipeini, Sipen, Sipeyini, Spagn, Spagna, Spagne, Spain, Španělsko, Spania, Spánia, Spania nutome, Španielsko, Španija, Spānija, Španiska, Spanja, Spanje, Spanjë, Španjolska, Spánn, Spanya, Spanyän, Spanyol, Spanyolország, Spayn, Spen, Spēna, Spéonland, Spēonland, Spuenien, Szpańskô, Tây Ban Nha, Uhispania, Yn Spaainey, أسبانيا, إسبانيا, اسبانيا, اسپانیا, اسپین, ہسپانیہ, سپین, هسپانیه, ئیسپانیا, ئىسپانىيە, ספרד, שפאניע, Ισπανία, Гішпанія, Испани, Испания, Испониё, Іспанія, Шпанија, སི་པན།, སིཔཱེན, སིཔཱེན་, Իսպանիա, ესპანეთი, स्पेन, સ્પેઇન, સ્પેન, స్పేన్, ಸ್ಪೈನ್, ஸ்பெயின், സ്പെയിന്‍, স্পেন, စပိန်, ස්පාඤ්ඤය, 西班牙

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