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Camino de Santiago
  • Christine Da Silva
  • Christine Da Silva

Camino de Santiago

A 45-day adventure by Christine Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 7, 2017
  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Bordeaux

    September 8, 2017 in France ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Long car ride from Paris to Bordeaux through beautiful countryside. Bordeaux is a wonderful city full of old charm with young crowds. Had an amazing French dinner with a lovely Bordeaux wine. The duck Sheppards pie was fantastic!Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva
    1

    St Jean PIED de Port to Valcarlos Sp

    September 12, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Day 3 Sunday
    Started our caminho! Hiked down to town to attend a Basque mass with many other pilgrims. We didn't understand it but it was still beautiful and emotional. We hiked 8 miles up and down beautiful hillsides (mostly up and up and up) to Valcarlos. Oh, and of course we were blessed with rain. Tired we arrived at our hillside casa rural. There, we met a 71 year old woman hiking alone. We had a great dinner and great conversation by a warm fire.Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Bordeux to St Jean Pied de Port

    September 12, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Day 2 Saturday
    We drove to Lourdes to visit another Pilgrim site, Santuary Our Lady of Lourdes. This is where Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette. An emotional moment as this was a place my mother wanted to visit when I took her to France.
    We dropped off our rental and rushed through a thunder storm to catch our train. It was filled with caminho pilgrims, all going to St Jean Pier de Pont, our official starting point.    Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Valcarlos to Espinal

    September 12, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    9.11 Monday
    Still raining and cool, we treched uphill again. This time, steeper, through mud and rocks, and constant rain. Prayed to God a lot. More than 15 miles over the Pyrenees took longer than expected but the beauty of all around us was still amazing. Having a warm hot shower at the end of the day was enough reward.Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Espinal to Zubiri

    September 13, 2017, Astráin ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    9.12 Tuesday
    Finally a sunny easy 10 mile walk. Not! The trail started out nice with a light drizzle. We were finally able to remove our rain gear. In less than an hour, the walk was treacherous and very slow going. There was lots and lots of mud and washed out dirt which now exposed slippery rocks. It was heads down all the way to keep from falling. Our treking poles got the most use today. Could not have completed without them. Very happy to arrive in Zubiri although we spent lots of time cleaning the mud from our shoes and washing the mud from our pants.Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Zubiri to Pamplona

    September 14, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    9.13 Wednesday
    So Wednesday morning was a filled with pilgrims. I should say something about all the pilgrims we've already met from around the world - South Korea, Japan, Sweeden, Germany, Canada, Washington State, Oregon, to name just a few. All ages, from 20 to 70+. Everyone is very kind and helpful to one another. All the Spaniards are also very courteous. One even passed out candy to us from their car as we approached Pamplona. Although many choose to do the entire Camino to Santiago all at once , many only do parts, return to school or work and continue another time. It is truly amazing to travel a path so many hundreds of thousands have traveled before.

    So today's Camino started the earliest 7:30 am and was a long day with plenty of sunshine. A pleasant walk through beautiful countryside full of history. Our first hot day, above 80° as we walked into Pamplona. Somehow we managed to go out and enjoy walking around the old section of Pamplona.    Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Lorca to Los Arcos

    September 16, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    9.16 Saturday
    Although quite long, it was a beautiful 18 mile mile walk. Enjoyed seeing local blacksmith at work.. A little further up the hill was a wine fountain where one could enjoy a free glass of wine. The last 7 miles were totally isolated with no towns or inhabitants. God watching over us, we were lucky to walk between heavy rain clouds all around us. Needless to say we were very tired at the end of the dayRead more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Logroño

    September 17, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    9.17 Sunday
    Yesterday's stop was at Los Arcos but as we could not find accommodations there, we took a taxi to our hotel nearest Logroño.

    An amazing day in Logroño! - with wine festival and semi/final acrobatic bull competition! We've never seen such such an amazing spectacle before. Incredible courage shown by men willing to let a bull charge at them as they decided to jump over the bull or just arch their bodies to have the bull pass by.Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Logroño

    September 20, 2017 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    9.19 Tuesday
    So today was our second day of rest in Logroño (walking 5 miles around town) The wine festival continued and we enjoyed watching marching brass bands and festivities throughout the city.
    Unfortunately we were disappointed when we attended a Spanish bullfight. Let's just say we'll never go again.
    We had delicious pinchos (tapas) on a street filled with people. Each bar had their own specialty - from amazing mushrooms to blood sausage. Oh, and the regional wines were a special treat as each bar had several varieties and qualities to choose from. Feeling well rested.    Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Logroño to Navarrete

    September 21, 2017 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    9.20 Wednesday
    Well rested, our journey continued on a pleasant 8 mile walk Leaving Logroño, we were treated to beautiful hillside views of the city. As we entered Navarrete we decided to have a little picnic lunch. We happened upon the local street market and purchased delicious olives and cheese. And of course, nearby, was a grocery store where we found pate, fresh bread and yummy local wine. We sat in a courtyard and enjoyed our lunch and chatting with other peregrinos.

    By far, my most moving experiences was today, in Navarrete. We walked into the most beautiful church I had ever seen. I can't describe how it's beauty and solitude overwhelmed me. Shortly after we were very fortunate to be able to attend mass there and even receive a special peregrino blessing.    Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva
    1

    Navarrete to Nájera

    September 21, 2017 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    9.21 Thursday
    Another, what now feels like short, 10 mile walk through Incredible grape filled vines. Again we were fortunate to happen upon a hand picked grape harvest. We took some photos and they offered us huge bunches of grapes to eat. The were soooo delicious and just the thing to keep us going to Nájera. Here we met up with more peregrinos from Panama, Sweden, Indonesia. We had no pains after enjoying a fabulous bottle of Reserva 2009 Marques de Murieta.Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva
    1

    Santo Domingo to Belrado

    September 23, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    9.23.17 Saturday
    Relatively easy walk with beautiful rolling hills. Started out as very comfortable walking weather as we walked in a cool fog. By noon we had removed all jackets and by afternoon it was in the 80s. Mostly rolling plains of wheat, sunflower and grains.
    Dryer warm weather as we enter Ribera del Deuro wine region. The red items in the picture below are large red peppers hung from a railing.    Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Belrado to Vilafranca

    September 24, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    9.24.17 Sunday
    With no available accommodations ahead and Manny feeling under the weather with cold symtoms, we had a relatively short day. We still managed to cover about 11 miles of mostly flat terrain. We passed several quaint villages but there was little activity (Sunday morning). One town had a fountain that if you dipped your head in it, was supposed to give you energy. But, there was a sign indicating the water might be contaminated. We were happy to end the day a little earlier as the temperature approached 80°Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    VilaFranca to Burgos

    September 25, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    9.25.2017 Monday
    With Manny feeling better today we left Vila Franca on another beautiful cool (60°) clear morning. The terrain now changing to hills with pine trees providing plenty of shade but no villages. To our pleasant surprised we came upon "Oasis on the Camino". A rest area run by a young Spanish woman. All items were donation only with everything from hot coffee, fruit, boiled eggs, cookies ......
    Our feet were quite tired as we ended our 12 mile day.    Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva
    1

    Burgos

    September 25, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    9.25.2017 Monday evening and 9.26.2017 Tuesday

    A well deserved day off, we enjoyed visiting the Evolution of Man Museum and the Burgos Cathedral. The cathedral museum was truly amazing. It took nearly 2 hours to tour. It has several amazing chapels with architecture that must be seen to be appreciated..

    We enjoyed dinner at Cerveceria Morito. It is, by far, the best tapas bar in Burgos. It the best food we had had..    Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Burgos to Hornillos del Camino (Estépar)

    September 27, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    9.27.2017 Wednesday

    And so, well rested, we continue our journey once again. Early to rise and on our way by 7:30 am. Of course, first stop is a local coffee bar for cafè and croissant. Oddly, todays 13 mile (20k) walk is an easy day. The first half was a flat walk where we met new pilgrims (Australians, Brazilians, Virginians) and several familiar faces. After a refreshmemt (and relief) stop we came upon a quaint church where nuns gave a blessing and a Blessed Virgin medal. From there we walked up and up and up through dry, hot, fields. A time for contemplation.
    We arrived at our casa rural El Melino del Camino. A beautiful serene home in the middle of nowhere. After booking, we discovered this is where Martin Sheen filmed a scene from "The Way" His grandson actually fell in love with proprietor's daughter, married her and they own the casa. This wonderful peaceful home felt like a gift from God.    Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Behind the Scenes - Life on the Camino

    September 27, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Our photos are all beautiful and full of smiles. So what is a typical day really like.

    Up by 6:30am -
    Showering the night before might give you a few minutes more to sleep.

    Check the weather forecast -
    Determine how many layers and in which order to wear them. No need to worry about what to choose from because you only have two of everything.

    Repack your backpack-
    ... and hope the clothes you washed the night before are dry. Pin wet clothes to the outside of your backpack.

    Tape your feet! -
    The most important part of the Camino is foot preparation. If you had a hot spot yesterday, protect it today. Compeed bandage if it's a blister. Paper tape or bandaid if it's a area that rubs and may cause a blister. Some put Vaseline on their feet everyday. Others put paper tape on the bottom of their feet to prevent blisters.
    No guarantees anything works 100%

    The walk.
    Don't forget your trekking poles!
    For some reason, most days, the walk began up hill. Easy if you're 20, harder if you're trying to keep up with the 20 year olds. The pace is up to you. We seem to start out at a middle of the road pace. We would pass by many people (now friends) who walked quite slow. At the end of the day, they always caught up. They must have left at 6am because they were always ahead in the morning.

    IT'S NOT A RACE. Easy to remember because everyone walks at different pace.    Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Hornillos (Estépar) to Castrojeriz

    September 30, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    9.28.2017 Thursday
    From El Molino, we were driven back to Hornillos by Maxi, the owner. He is 82 and asked Manny if he wanted him to drive the Camino way/through the fields. Well you know Manny said yes. We thought the car was going to fall apart! Somehow we made it to town and we were off again. 16 miles. Little to no vegetation. Trails were hard on the feet due to no rain. The days typically start out nice and cool but quickly heat up. With no trees, it gets hot, fast. The heat makes it twice as hard
    Today, arrival at our accomodations couldn't come soon enough.    Read more

  • Christine Da SilvaCamino de SantiagoChristine Da Silva

    Castrojeriz to Fromista

    September 30, 2017 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    9.29.2017 Friday
    We started out early because it would be a hot and long day. 17 miles through hot barren land, but not before we crossed over a 1000 meter mountain Fields were very dry as were we. Only grass and sun flowers were grown here. No farms in sight. A time for reflection as we rested at any area with a lttle shade.
    If course, at the end of the day we were rewarded with a delicious bottle of wine (or two :) )    Read more

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