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Second Camino, del Norte
  • Jzionna's Wanderings
Aug – Oct 2023

Second Camino, del Norte

A 42-day adventure by Jzionna's Read more
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  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Journey to Gijon

    September 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    I like this city very much, Gijon. We've been traveling as the cinco amigas for days. Having each other helps to lift our spirits when days are difficult. We help to encourage one another. We are less than 373 kilometers from Santiago!
    Maddi has to touch every dog and cat on the way. If she was able to catch the rabbits, she would have snuggled them, too.
    The beaches are wide and panoramic, and the water's temperature is easy to swim in.
    I'm catching up on extra sleep rather than going out tonight. Dinners are at 8: or 9:. By that time, I'm no longer hungry, that my bed time.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    San Estaban💖

    September 19, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    What a quiet place to spend the afternoon and evening. It was an easy walk today (rarely will I say this). But this whole day was as pleasant as can be. The albergue was clean, uncrowded, and they served the most beautiful breakfast. My favorite of Albergues yet.
    A dog watches us pass from the balcony.
    Crochet swatches hang like prayer flags above the park, along with crochet blankets wrapped around trees.
    The town lights reflect on the bay. What a relief to have found such a peaceful place to sleep and dine.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    Novellana

    September 20, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Some days I think that this is enough! I'm tired of smelling like sweat, wearing damp clothing, taking short showers, and having no baths. The long treks to push for 7 hours each day. I need a vacation!
    Still, the beauty overrides all the discomfort at the end of the road.
    A random two orange chairs are set in the woods for travelers to rest.
    This large bridge structure is amazing! How can it stand so high and long on those immense pillars? Vehicles drive on top, while the rail below is for the train to pass. Amazing structure!
    Beautiful gatitos. All the stories we hear about fierce watch dogs in Spain? Here's a fiesty one!    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Hello autumn equinox! In Queruas

    September 21, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    I walked past the seaside several times today, not always am I walking so close to the shores. With many shades of blues and greens, it's so pleasant to gaze on while catching my breath between climbs. We share an early morning breakfast before we head off for the day's walk.
    I grew to love each one of these lovely people as we challenge through each day.
    Sandra is walking through the river, balancing stone by stone. We each had to do the river dance to keep the feet dry. I scaled it in sandles and socks with the success of dry feet.
    I love how, in a public bathroom, there is a toothbrush and paste dispenser.✔️
    Taking moments to enjoy the oceanside is always rejuvinating, and it is a good time to take our snack and rest.
    Chestnuts grow everywhere. One can collect such a harvest here.
    We stayed in a very clean alberque tonight. It's a real comfort when bunks have curtains, it's then our own private cubbyhole.
    As we each head off to our days journeys, on each our own pace and time scheduals, some we may walk with, meet at the end of the day, or never meet again. It's most often hello, good- bye. We share stories, secrets, ambitions, and quanderies. We consol, comfort and encourage eachother. It's quite a therapy session on the Camino.
    There are nearly twelve days left of this walk. The closer we get to Santiago, the faster our pace becomes.
    We all will come to the end of our journeys changed in subtle ways. Returning home in a slightly altered state, all improved, readjusted. And the memories we will carry will continue to amuse and comfort us for all our lives.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    To piñera

    September 22, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    With about 10 more days until I reach Santiago, the end of the road is so near. Accommodations in the municipals are quite challenging. Sharing of bathrooms, showers, and sleeping in dorm rooms with many people. How I would appreciate soaking in my own bath again!
    The level of the terrain has become more even, not so steep. The climbs are less intense. It's easier to travel further distances now, but still, 6 hours of walking in a day is my limit. It's a good feeling of accomplishment at the end of each day when I reach my goal destnation, usually 10-15 miles.
    The weather has cooled down suddenly, and I may be walking in blustery winds off and on throughout the day. I keep my poncho handy because, at any moment, a down pour can be released.
    The group of people I walk with keeps changing. We connect for a time and then go our own ways. That's the way of the camino.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    La Caridad

    September 23, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    I have to keep turning around as I walk early in the morning, not to miss the sun rising behind me.
    The corn and maze fields are being sheered down, the squashes are being harvested, the last of the apples, pears, and figs are dropping from the trees, and there is now a chill in the air; it's actually blustery these days.
    We came across a state of the art vending machine in a sheik neighborhood. Vending machines are everywhere here with chilled drinks, like tea, beer, sodas, and even carrot juice. There are choices of dry roasted nuts, chocolate bars, chips... no matter where you are, you are never too far from a snack.
    A cat of the day picture, because there are always cats around.
    I arrived early to an albergue with a quiet place to wash and hang my clothes today before the rest of the walkers arrived. The place filled up after 4:, all 18 beds.
    I saw several Robo lawn trimmers as we passed through the more stately homes. First time seeing those!😅    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Now in the land of Galicia! (Ribadeo)

    September 24, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    I began this morning as a solo walk to Tapia because my Australian friends were not feeling up to par. It was an easy walk, a cool and sunny morning. After a rest stop and lunch by the harbor, I headed up to continue my walk to Ribadeo. There, I spotted my friends who had bussed to Tapia ( and Judy feeling much better), it's the Camino way if we haven't completed the journey together, the journey will continue. More often than not, when we break away from walkers, you won't meet again unless there's unfinnished business with one another. Friendship, spiritual, and many kinds of lessons are to be learned.
    This will be the last close encounter to the sea from here, as we head inwards to Santiago. Such a gorgeous sea side! Farewell Atlantic beauty✨️💗
    An avenue of trees is soothing to walk through. I'm seeing the change as we enter the Galicia country.
    The 7th picture of the stone trench, under a wood roof, is what's left of once was the central washing area in the center of town. Women would bring their washing there and socialize as they cleaned their family's dirty laundry. I could imagine the chatter, laughter, scrubbing, and water flowing. It must have been quite a pleasant time in their day, doing laundry.💖
    I'm ready to complete this walk, yet I'm beginning to feel a bit meloncholy in saying goodbye.
    Every day is so interesting!
    (And of course, another Camino cat photo)    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Ribadeo Sweet Shop

    September 25, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    It's the most beautiful sweet shop I've ever seen! ( I love what it reads on the window...😅) I had a piece of apple cake and a coffee before we headed off for the bus station. There, we found 10 other walkers taking a hop day to Abadín on a bus. It would be too long of a day to walk. Now we'll be on schedual to make our expected date to Santiago. We'll set out tomorrow to walk 13 miles to Vilalba.Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    Abadín

    September 25, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Many walkers gather across the street this afternoon, across from my room where I will sleep tonight (Xabarín albergue). I have a clean bed by a window. All is well.💗
    At 7:00, while it's still dark, the walkers begin sliding off the bunk beds, with their head lamps glowing, finding way to the bathrooms. The shuffling of backpacks and walking sticks all prepare for another walk to various destinations. Every day, we further on to Santiago through our wounds and obsticles. We who have been on the trail for a while are calloused and move through a regular routine. We're only a week away from completion. The days are passing a lot more quickly now.
    A friendly horse asking to be petted.
    Two young girls from Australia are riding their bikes across Spain and camping the whole way.
    A large sign of a coffee cup directing us to a café, just when we needed one.
    Some graffiti is quite beautiful.
    There are so many endearing moments on the camino that I will miss. My heart is full.✨️💖    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Magical Galicia✨️

    September 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    In this misty moisty morning, in the land of Galicia, the spiders were out all night creating these wonderful designs! The most beautiful morning walk yet!!
    There were miles of lovely green woodland. We stopped to buy fruit at a stand where you pay by honor system. The sweetest dog of all my walk on the camino stood quietly, begging for me to share my banana with him. Then, after leaning on me, he went back to sleeping in the sun.
    The tall stone marker was the early markers that guided the pilgrims to Santiago before the yellow arrows and shells we now have marking the camino today.
    The gorgeous detail of a cemetary just before vilalba.
    A very good day today💗.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Vilalba to Baamonde

    September 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    The days are passing so fast now that I barely have time to blog and sort pictures. The closer we get to Santiago, the shorter the days become.
    Early morning, while it was still dark, I saw a large white object on the side of the path. Shining my torch light on it, I saw it to be a very large fungi. Gorgeous speciman! Later this day, someone was drying a harvest of mushrooms they picked. Must be a common thing here, collecting mushrooms, the land is perfect for them.
    The rest are random pictures, all things fascinating to me. And of course, the camino cats.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    Inside Chacon's World

    September 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    This lovely man and artist invites passing walkers to enter through his gate into his yard and work space. He encourages you to rest and tour his private museum of art. He stamps our camino passports with a wax seal and a stamp of his own carved creation. He's an amazing carver, painter, and sculpter. His gentle demeanor and incredible artwork attract most passers. You feel a spiritual peace with him. We all walk away touched by something extroidinary. I love these magical discoveries of the camino.💖Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    To Miraz

    September 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Now less than 100k to Santiago. We are coming to the end of our trek. Mixed feelings of accomplishment, but yet sad to say good-bye to all this. The journey has been, and it is still incredible.
    Every single one of the people I've met has given me joy and reflection; I love them all.
    The sound of the wind today brushing through the eucalyptus trees was worth stopping to listen in a quiet moment.
    We found a lovely albergue in Miraz, offering a lentil soup lunch. I'm showered, clothes are washed and hung, and all is well today.
    Tomorrow, 25k to walk to Sobrados dos Muxes.
    (And another camino cat.)    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    Oh these people, I love them all!

    September 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    The challenges and joys we share together! Like I say, I walk the comino for the human experience. I fall in love with the people I meet. It's been a glorious experience. Four days before we reach Santiago; we've come a long way together, and in a few days, Iwe will embrace and say goodbye. But we will take with us the memories that we'll replay for the rest of our lives. 💖💕Buen Camino mi Amigos.Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    To Sobrado dos Monxes

    September 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We stayed in this beautiful monastery tonight. It's full moon, and all the sprits are high. We are on the down slope of walking to Santiago, knowing we have short days ahead and only a few to go. We are all more emotional and excited for the completion.Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Chickens on Rooftops!

    September 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    We left a fantastic albergue with excellent accommodations. The lentil soup was the best meal I had in a while. As we left in the morning, mushrooms were spotted on the side of the path as the sun rose. After miles, we passed a house, which was also a place to get cold drinks. Chickens were in the yard, and also on the roof tops! It was milking time, so I peeked into the barn to take pictures. Cats and dogs were just hanging around with the chickens on a heated afternoon. The flies were ruthless there, so we didn't sit too long. We chugged a cold one and continued walking for another 10k.Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    To Arzua

    September 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Today was an extremely hot day! The last 8k was so hard for me and many others to get through. But we all climbed beyond our limits and found a clean place ( with cotton sheets!) to rest for the night. I'm posting a few pictures from the monestary last night.
    This young man named Nico
    says he has traveled 700 kilometors on his small bike and packing a backpack in honor of his grandfather. It was his grandfather's bike.
    The walk now goes through more pine forests with another incredible fungi (Stinkhorn mushroom) and a golden spider, too!    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    On our way to O Pedrouza

    October 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Leaving Arzua, we pass a wall of potted plants.
    A group of walkers leaving early, getting an early start for knowing it will be a hot day.
    A natural spring flows freely from a hillside, a place to refill water bottles.
    Morning mist in a field with a lingering moon.
    Several camino routes have merged into the road to Santiago, and the crowds now come marching in.
    Along the way is a wisdom wall with questions and quotes to read. There are many places through the woods that share small quotes of wisdom.
    A shrine in the rocks may randomly appear on the way, where walkers may place a picture of loved ones who are ill or who have passed.
    Pumpkins grow enormous here. There is beautiful squash everywhere at this time of year.
    There is a house of shoes once worn by walkers on the camino. The shoes and boots are filled with soil and flowers. I remember this place when passing through in 2019 with Bri. It's still here! I think there are more shoes!
    I watched an elderly woman walking down the road with her shadow tailing her. Such lovely light this morning.
    Finally, pallella! So delish!
    There are ample cafés now, and plenty of accommodations on the Camino Frances. What a different world we've entered in the land of Galicia!
    Never have I seen such dark purple hydrangeas.
    20 kilometers to go! We'll walk 15 tomorrow and walk into Santiago after walking 5k on October 3rd. I could hardly believe that I am at the end of my 700+ kilometor walk!
    My albergue with sheets. All is good💤🛌😴    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    Evening out in O Pino

    October 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 46 °C

    Arrived to O Pino at 4:. The albergue was easy to find and gladly found that it was another clean one with sheets and paper towels. Such small things give us great joy!
    After showering and the washing of clothes, we found an ice cream 🍦 shop. Ice cream is so delicious on these overheated days!
    We found a Mexican restaurant and ordered nachos and gin & tonics.
    Before leaving the restaurant, we collected our stamps for our camino passports. The young woman was stamping with melted wax seals. I love these special stamps. This particular seal was a story about unexpected love. Sweet and sad. The stamp is the shadow of a pilgrim.
    We then attended a mass down the street in an old church, with a large shell behind the priest giving a sermon.    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings

    Monte do Gozo 4k away!

    October 2, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Today, I stopped short of going into Santiago. I would rather walk into the square while the sun is rising. Tomorrow, I will walk in the morning and greet the cathedral with my hands lifted in gratitude. Many of us will walk in together and embrace the completion of our 3o+ day journey.
    Pictures:
    #1&2. The first view of the cathedral of Satiago from the hill of Monte do Gozo park.
    #3. I recognized this albergue café from where Bri and I stayed in 2019, the window of our room where we slept.
    #4. While still dark, the walkers head out each day.
    #5&6. The camino is a circus show now. Cueing up for purchasing special tokens and unique stamps on their passports. There are cafés around every corner, accommodations are ample, and people are coming in swarms. This part is quite entertaining, I'm not bothered in a bit because it's just another side of the camino now.
    #7. A very detailed picture painted on a building!
    #8. Poke weed. It is a beautiful ornamental plant that birds love but is highly toxic, even fatal for human consumption.
    #9. Passing a church, I like the expressions on both these statues.
    #10. Having lunch in this albergue with my aussie girls and Karen (78) from Germany. This is the largest albergue on the route (though so few were here today), over 500 beds in several buildings.
    #11. And again, another camino cat.💓    Read more

  • Jzionna's WanderingsSecond Camino, del NorteJzionna's Wanderings
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    Santiago!

    October 3, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Sometimes, I look out to such beauty, and my thoughts stutter to find the words that may describe the grandeur beyond description! I'm overwhelmed with overflowing love often every day.
    Now I sit in Santiago at a laundry mat washing my clothes and backpack. Watching the clothes go round and round, washing away the blood, sweat, and tears from the garments I wore for 35 days, walking over 800 kilometors. I can't help but feel meloncholy as all the grime gets washed away. The grime that connected to so many people I have come to love. The municiples we burdened together. The sweet surprises along the way. The grime, the magic, and each one of those beings and experiences have woven their place in my heart. Never forgotten...till we meet again.💖
    Walking into Santiago at 7:30 am. It was a drizzly cool morning. I did want to see the catherdal at sun rise. The square was almost empty, didnt expect that. As my two aussi friends and I walked down to the office to collect our compestelas, we wondered where all the people were. Normally, there's a long line in front. We then found out that daily, there is free lunch given to the first 10 pilgrims who show up at the office. We happen to be 6, 7, & 8! We enjoyed a very nice lunch at the Paradores Hotel.
    All throughout my walk, there were chestnuts everywhere! 🌰 Chestnuts will always remind me of Spain.
    I will miss the companions I made and the long quiet walks when I walked alone. I'll even miss the grueling climbs that proved to me how capable I am when I thought I wasn't. This kind of walk is a trial of patience and trust, a lesson of compassion for myself and others. It's a time for reflection and to prioritize what is most important in our lives. I think that I will return with a mind to simplify my life even more, to be part of something greater. I will spend my time with all the people and things that are most precious to me.
    I want to keep lit the spirit of the camino. I want to continue to remember my ancesters who walk beside me. I will continue embracing beauty and holiness.
    It's an incredible piece of work, this thing called life, and I'm so grateful to be here!    Read more

    Trip end
    October 7, 2023
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