• Cari Krippner
  • Cari Krippner

Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago, or in English, the Way of St. James, is a network of pilgrimages leading to the shrine of the apostle James in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. Leggi altro
  • Inizio del viaggio
    28 luglio 2024

    5 days before takeoff

    10 agosto 2024, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌙 63 °F

    When did I become a Pilgrim? Was it 20 yrs ago when my parents returned from walking 1000 miles through Portugal and Spain? Was it 7 yrs ago when I told my Dad I was going to do the Camino "someday"? Did it start much earlier in my life when we moved every 4 years and, with my parents guidance, church always felt like home? Or did it start last Sunday when I received the Pilgrims Blessing?Leggi altro

  • Taking Flight

    11 agosto 2024, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Leaving to go to Calgary, Canada
    Last night and this morning I was trying to get my pack lighter and lighter. Final weight: 20lbs

  • Leaving Calgary to Paris

    14 agosto 2024, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    It has been a very long time since I have flown over the ocean. I like my seat...last seat in the corner. I land at 12:30 PM in Paris. One of the flight attendants has done the Camino and told me about it when she saw my shell. Only 4,587 miles to Paris. I'm grateful not to be walking!Leggi altro

  • First Day in Paris

    15 agosto 2024, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    I landed in Paris, France. I walked around the city in a jetlagged daze down Rue de Marriage passed blocks of stores selling gowns and tuxes. You can buy one in bright yellow or looking like Travolta! I love all the music in the train and in the stations. There are many different kinds of security walking around due to the Olympics. I feel very safe!Leggi altro

  • Sacre Coeur

    16 agosto 2024, Francia ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    It is interesting to learn the history of this beautiful Basilica that only became a national historic monument in 2022. It is built on the location where the Jesuit priests originated. There has been continuous adoration since 1885!Leggi altro

  • Day 3 Paris

    17 agosto 2024, Francia ⋅ 🌧 68 °F

    A rainy day in Paris is a perfect day to people-watch. I also went to a cemetery that I could have spent ALL day in. It has Victor Hugo, the founder of Le Bon Marche and many more famous and infamous people. There's constant music.Leggi altro

  • Day 5 Traveled to Lourdes

    18 agosto 2024, Francia ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Took the fast train from Paris to Lourdes. Staying at a Pilgrims Hostel called La Ruche. I can hear singing from the cathedral a block away. They are singing Ave Maria as I fall asleep.

  • I'm not dead!

    26 agosto 2024, Spagna ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    I'm in beautiful Papalona, Spain! My phone was stolen while I was in Lourdes, France and I was given the oportunidad to truly trust in God. I didn't know the day of the week, time of the day, how far I have walked or where I would sleep. Yet, everything worked out! I kept putting one foot in front of the other. I talked to more people than I would have, walked in peace as I looked around and prayed a lot!

    I was going to fly home the day my phone was gone. I'm glad I kept going. They say the Camino provides...it has so far. I have learned I am stronger than I thought I was and I can do hard things!

    I challenge everyone reading this to limit, in some way, their Phone use. One less hora, not during meals, not after 7 pm... anything will make a huge diferentes.

    Please forgive any spanish Words. My new spanish phone puts random words in. I try to find as many as I can.
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  • I Found my Way Out of Pampalona

    27 agosto 2024, Spagna ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F

    Pampalona has over 200,000 people in it. It is known for the running of the bulls every year and are very proud Hemmingway lived there. After walking in the quite mountains where I was entertained by bells on cows, horses, and goats, I found it very loud and busy. I got turned around several times trying to get out of the city. I felt like a cat trapped in a paper bag! I did find the post office and mailed 6.6 pound to the end of trail. A lighter Pack makes a diferentes! That took an hour and another hour to find an ATM machine. The next thing you know, its already 90 degrees!

    Of course, I found interesting neighborhoods, the university, and where they start the running of the bulls! I also found amazing gelato. So I did not get far walking today.
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  • Puente la Reina to Cirauqui

    28 agosto 2024, Spagna ⋅ 🌙 59 °F

    Be careful what you pray for! Yesterday was hot as hades and my hikers rash, which was almost gone flared up painfully. Even with electrolytes, the wind blew so hot, water could make hot tea in munutes. Pilgrims were found huddling under underpasses for the shade.

    Today, it was thankfully cloudy. Then the thunder and lightening began. For more than 2 hours the ground shook. The red clay looked like blood leaking down the hill. Needless to say, it was a short day.

    I found a pharmacy and my hikers rash is improving. I need to keep my legs up and out of the sun. I thank everyone for the prayers ad they get me through days like these.

    I have found a wonderful hostel (paid a bit more) and have Real Sheets-not paper, shampoo in a clean shower and only 12 people in my room...none I can touch!!
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  • Ciraqui to Estella

    30 agosto 2024, Spagna ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    I love staying at Parish Albergues. They are run by volunteers and people who stay there work together to make meals and clean. The church often stocks little extras that make it feel like a day at the spa! Shampoo & conditioner in the shower, a hair dryer, even round rocks by the hand washing sink to help get the mud out...it is the little things.Leggi altro

  • Plants along the Camino

    30 agosto 2024, Spagna ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    I love taking pictures of plants. I especilly love the symmetry and perfect math found in nature whether it is in the spiral of a fern unfolding or the number of petals you can count. I'm in awe how nature does nothing to aquire this sacred geometry. It has all been put in place for us to find.

    May you find splender in the nature that surrounds you.
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  • Estella to Los Arcos

    31 agosto 2024, Spagna ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Awoke in the middle of the night with a humongous thunder and lightening storm! It shook the building and did a lot of trail damage. 9 hours and 14 miles later I arrive in Los Arcos and, you are right, it is raining! I hung yesterdays clothes off my backpack to dry during the day. Today's clothes will need to dry hanging over my bed. I'm thankful it did not rain during the walk. It was a very warm day. The last 8 miles had no fresh water.Leggi altro

  • Mile Markers

    31 ago–4 set 2024, Spagna ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    The Camino de Santiago Frances is about 780 kilometers or 485 miles long. As of today, I have about 39 kilometers or 24 miles left. I might be able to finish tomorrow in one long day (depending on the weather and trail conditions) in time to meet Cindy when she arrives in the evening to Santiago.

    That would mean tonight is my last night at a hostel with 59 other pilgrims hearing strangers snore. My last night trying to remember where I put my glasses and which bathroom is the womans or, wait, maybe they are coed here. No, this one has a woman's bathroom but, since there are more guys, they will use it and keep the seat up. Aways check!

    Will this be my last night as a pilgrim? Most definately not. The Camino begins when the walk ends. I hope to return to be a hospitalaria so I may greet pilgrims with Benedictine hospitality.

    A glass of cold water, some chocolates and biscuits, and help taking off my pack (lightening my load) will always be symbolic of real hospitality. This simple act was followed by smiles and great conversations from couples who traveled great distances to volunteer a week.

    What did I learn on the Camino? I reaffirmed what I learned from Godspell in the 70s. To see thee more clearly, Love thee more dearly, and Follow thee more nearly....day by day...and to give Grace, Grace, Grace...when in doubt, Be Kind.
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  • Doors

    31 agosto 2024, Spagna ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    I was facinated by collection of doors in this town of less than 4000 (and declining). It would make an interesting book.

  • Los Arcos to Vienna to Logrona

    1 settembre 2024, Spagna ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    I cut a long walking day into 2 short ones in hopes of saving my feet, but that was all in vain as I hobbled into the large city of Logrona on blistered and bloodied feet. I checked into the first hotel with a bathtub and gave them a good soaking (along with all my clothes!) I'll be here 2 days as they heal...giving them lots of TLC!Leggi altro

  • The Camino Always Provides

    2 settembre 2024, Spagna ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    That's a popular saying about the Camino. I am not sure about that. I always thought you had to do something to make anything happen, but maybe there is a bit of truth to it. Here are some examples in my first 150 miles:

    When my phone was stolen, complete strangers helped figure out a way for me to contact Cindy and Mom on top of the Pyrennes so they would not worry about me

    When I was finishing up my day and going to a Parish Hostel that has shared meals, I realized it was Sunday and no stores would be open. I turned the bend and laying on the ground was a beautiful cucumber! It was a fabulous addition to the salad.

    When I get especially tired, there just happens to be delicious blackberry bushes and soon I am refreshed and ready to go again.

    I spent a couple challenging hours listening to a young lady who is going to make it big in París as a writer and artist after her Camino (she's from Snohomish, of all places) and I happened to take the bike camino turn instead of the walkers arrow and received 5 hours of solitude.

    I was exhauted after going up, yet another hill, and sat down on the bench on top next to an older lady. I found out she was 77 and walking with her 2 young grandchildren before school begins. She has walked the Camino 17 times! She was also an educator for 45 yrs. She inspired me to keep walking to the next town.

    I fell asleep early at the hostel while everyone else went out to eat and drink. When I awoke, someone had put bread, nut mix, dark chocolate and tuna fish by my cot so I would have food for the road.

    To attain wisdom, remove something every day. Lao-tzu
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  • Rested and Refreshed & Mystery Solved

    4 settembre 2024, Spagna ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    Mystery Solved...I stopped at a pharmacy and when I said I had blister trouble, he turned his sign over to say closed. This meant business. He looked at my feet, my socks, my shoes, and my orthotics. Finally, he said, aha! My orthotics were 1 cm too short for my shoes and kept slipping causing the blisters. Ugh!

    Solution: buy the best insoles they have, cut so they fit, soak, cover, and wrap my blisters for 3 days.

    Today I walked in no pain for the first time! The green tape is KT tape and I watched many videos to learn how to wrap my feet and knees correctly. I need to support my flat feet since I don't have my inserts in. So far, so good.

    I went 6 miles on the trail today in an overcast cool day. I think there should be special stickers just for getting out of the cities! It took me over 2 hours to find the trail. I concidered it a city tour that people pay money for. I saw all sorts of interesting neighborhoods.

    We are speeding up our lives and working harder, in a futile attempt to slow down and enjoy it.
    Paul Hawken. What can you do today to slow down?
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  • Musings

    4 settembre 2024, Spagna ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    I have found many things in Spain quite clever. Like the toilet paper that comes out like tissue. Wouldn't that stop a mess at schools! The main door knobs on houses being in the middle so both left and right handed people are equal. Using thin wood and exterior closing devices that are simple with a knob that can also hold a purse. Clearly marked bike lanes (not after thoughts) and having separate stores for fish, meat, bread, wine, and produce in the neighborhood. No packaged food or fast food anywhere.

    Wonder if the US could learn from any of these?
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  • Navarrete to Azofra

    5 settembre 2024, Spagna ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    It is so hard to start walking when it is raining. Then I remember that every step I take is one less step l have to walk tomorrow and that math sounds good 🙂
    It also helps if you stop by a pastry shop and grab the best looking thing and save it for lunch. I am not above bribing myself.
    The sun did come out for a couple seconds and I still found beauty.

    Tonight I am staying in Azofra, discribed in my Camino book as: a tranquil village with a declining population of 250 owing much of its continuing existence to the camino. I am making a point to stay in these smaller villages. My hostel was actually made as a hostel and I have a room to myself! (It has 2 beds) And a heated floor! Thank you for all your prayers. I am positive they are the reason I am still perservering, even in the rain.

    And to all my teacher friends, I have not forgotten that this is the first week of school. My prayers are with you, your students, and their families as you begin another year. I'm their in Spirit.
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  • Azofra to Grañon to Tosantos

    7 settembre 2024, Spagna ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    There has been some very cloudy weather. Mornings are getting cooler and the sun does not warm us up until 11 am.

    I have been walking through villages preparing for their "fete" or fiesta. Their yearly celebration of their villages patron saint. Last night I finally hit one. I am not sure if it was a good thing or not! I loved the traditional celebration...though I was left confused. We did the rosary in spanish, the carried her up a hill behind the village to a cave that had a lovely chaple in it. We all sang Adiós Maria. Then locked her in. I wondered how long she will be in there. The whole town then partied loudly until 4:30 AM It was a cultural experience.Leggi altro