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Camino francés

July - August 2024
  • Rhonda Gerber
Camino de Santiago de Compostela Read more
  • Rhonda Gerber

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Backpacking, Spirituality, Vacation
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  • Rhonda GerberTravelerCamino francés

    San Xulian to Melide

    Aug 8–9, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    During the night, I vomited and started having the runs. In the morning, I felt like crap!! Suzanne and I started off after having breakfast at the albergue. The hosts were very empathetic to our condition and said that the day before, there had been three people with a virus, one of which was taken to the hospital. They suggested we got sick because of the water. Suzanne looked after me very well and stayed with me until about 11:00am. She needed to carry on because she needed to walk 24 kms to meet her father who was coming to join her for the last 37 kms. I finally dragged my butt into the albergue O Apalpador in Melide around 2:00pm. I showered and Antonio, the hospitaleros, did my laundry in the machine. I went to bed, and slept....and slept. Around 4:30pm I woke up and hung up my laundry that was beside my bunk. I went back to bed and slept all night, restlessly, because my back was killing.Read more

  • Rhonda GerberTravelerCamino francés
    The albergue O Apalpador (I'm having breakfast)
    The dining areaBye- bye 0 ApalpadorOn my way out of Melide2Merchants selling jewelry before the stone bridge (río San Lázaro)Nice shade and pathFilling up on liquids only; stomach still a bit queezy)Bye-bye café El AlemánEntering the parish of CastañedaArriving at Ribadiso de Baixo1Over the medieval bridge over the river IsoOn we go...1The people in the car: woman gave me a peach when I sat beside her on the bench under the tree3Looking back: A nice shaded path I had walked onYay! Entering ArzúaArzúaAlbergue Los Tres Abetos: I had walked past it, I asked 2 ladies, who in turn asked the "correos"4Pretty funky set up of bunks!!My bunk

    Melide to Arzúa

    Aug 9–10, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Woke up at 7:00am. I felt much better! Antonio made toast and coffee for me and then I was on my way around 8:00am. The distance according to the guidebook is about 14 kms. My pedometer registered 14.51 kms. It was a beautiful day, sunny, and not too hot. Most of the walk was shaded, and a few inclines. I arrived at the albergue in Arzúa at 12:50pm.Read more

  • Rhonda GerberTravelerCamino francés
    1Individual bathrooms!!! Pretty cool!! The colour of our kitchen in Cambridge!
    The concrete stairwellThe shoelace and entryA mural of a pilgrim that likes Estrella beerHungry time.2My left foot is much better!1Left footRight foot all taped up to help the plantar fascia

    Arzúa

    Aug 9–10, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    I went for a bite to eat, up the street from the albergue to the restaurant Parillada. The food was fine, but the service stank. The man that brought me my cutlery put his hands on the ends that were going in my mouth. The waitress I asked for the bill and the rest of my food "to go" ignored me. Finally, the man gave me a piece of foil, so I scraped my food on to it. Never going back there again! Lol! (The chances of me going back are close to zero anyway!)Read more

  • Rhonda GerberTravelerCamino francés
    leaving the albergue in Arzúa
    The street where both the albergue and the restaurant are oncement church?leaving Arzúa1Elderberries?Nice pathA café playing loud music at 9am in the countrysidehomemade iced mint tea and orange juiceThe path goes beside this driveway entrance to a nice propertylots of shade todaybeautiful tall treessticker bridge2Holsteins?A collection of shoes2Smoothie Yay!2Veggie paella for lunchalbergue Turistica Salcedanice bathroomI'm chillaxin'

    Arzúa to Salceda

    Aug 10–11, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    I had a good sleep. The bed was comfortable and the window was right beside my bunk, which let the cool air in. I had my leftover steak and fries for breakfast and hit the road at 7:50am. I met the host, Gabriela, on her way into work. Her family friend, Esther, also works at the albergue (I met her yesterday. She does all the laundry for the albergue: bedding, towels and she is 72 years old. Super nice lady that speaks German, from Austria). The walk today, according to the guidebook is about 11 kms. My pedometer registered 12.8 kms. The walk went well. Thank goodness for the shade because it was hot and humid today (like yesterday) and I was literally drenched in sweat yet again. As though I had taken a shower in my clothes. At the place I had lunch, Gavin, from BC, Canada, showed up. I had met him at Roncesvalles. The albergue is 300 metres off the camino route and after arriving, I had a nap for about 2 hours. At 6pm, I went to the albergue restaurant area and had a Fanta, but it was WAY TOO HOT!! I went back to my bunk where it is cooler.Read more

  • Rhonda GerberTravelerCamino francés
    2Breakfast time
    John, my breakfast companionDon't forget the laundry !1The chicken coup right beside the albergue dormitoryThe restaurant and main building which had private rooms2Ah! Bye-bye John!leaving the Alberque which is at the end of the roadCrossing over the street from the 300m detour to get back on to the camino2Deep blue colour of the hydrangeasTaking a break with the moo-cowsThis fountain was on the other side of the tunnelPrivate property right after the tunnel and fountainentering village A Rúa1Beautiful colours!Moral on the Cultural/Sports hallmore murals on the sports complex1More magic forest: no people, just natureCorn, more trees...the Lavacolla airport: I wasn't quick enough to get pictures of the planesThe sign for the albergue: Getting so close to my final destination for today

    Salceda to Lavacolla

    Aug 11–12, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Got up at 7am and on the road at 8:00 am. The guidebook shows about a 18kms trek for today. My pedometer registered a distance of 19.34 kms. It was a nice morning and within 30 minutes, I was sweating and eventually drenched in sweat. My ankle that I sprained years ago was acting up so I needed to focus on how to alleviate the discomfort while walking (lifting with the thigh instead of pushing off the ground with the foot). I arrived at the albergue at 1:55 pm, just before it opened. Check-in took 30 minutes because the hostess was alone, and took each person individually to their accomodations. The albergue is brand, spankin' newly renovated!! And... drum roll... THERE IS AIR CONDITIONING!! Woo hoo!Read more

  • Rhonda GerberTravelerCamino francés
    On my way out of Lavacolla
    The stairs going out of LavacollaSnack time: coffee and lemon cakeStop to get a stamp: Chapel San Marcos, built 1105View from the chapel1Heading into Santiago de CompostelleLong, concrete path into the city1Street sign: Santiago, left1I made it to the city ...Heading towards the cathedralThis looks like a "newer" section of the cityEntering the old city: Capela de Ánimas, 1784 CEImmaculate Conception Square: one of the entrances to the cathedralView from Immaculate Conception Square1Cathedral Santiago de Compostela: 1122 CEPraza do Obradoiro in front of the cathedralFinally, found my lodging. Why do street names change in the middle of a street?3My dorm room in CampussurThis makes me feel like I'm in college...2Finally, supper time. I was so hungry because I didn't have lunch! Leftovers for tomorrow!

    Lavacolla to Santiago de Compostela

    Aug 12–13, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Today, is the home stretch of the camino for me. 10 kms to go. A lot was up hill, the weather was nice, and my right ankle was ok. Getting from the outskirts to the cathedral was half of the journey. Finally, when I got to the cathedral, a lot of people were in the plaza, and I decided to get my credenciel right away. I found the pilgrim office, registered on their system, waited in line, the clerk issued my certificate, I told her it was my birthday, and then all of the other clerks joined her in singing Happy Birthday in Spanish. That, is what brought tears to my eyes; not the sight of seeing the cathedral, but the act of kindness of strangers to another stranger. I then had a heck of a time finding my hostel. My bag didn't arrive by the transport service, so I spent the next 2 hours, sweaty, on the phone with the credit card company trying to get the authentification process figured out. In the evening, I went down to the entrance from the 4th floor (of course my room is on the top floor, all stairs, no elevator) and there was my bag. "Good things come to those who wait." I went for a bite to eat, because at this point, I was very grumpy, tired, sweaty, hungry, and fed up with technology. After hungry times, I took a shower, and of course, had to talk to Mr. G to make sure that he didn't forget my birthday!! Lol!!Read more

  • Rhonda GerberTravelerCamino francés
    1Walking to the downtown/old city
    Iglesia de San Francisco3Nice name for a store1Finally, somewhere to sit and have breakfast: white chocolate covered churros!! Num num!Monastery: San Martino PinarioBag pipes being played throughout the entire dayIberian prosciutto: acorn fed pigs1Parish Church of San FructuosaParish church of San Fructuosa right next to the cop shop2Hospital of the Catholic monarchs: 151 1 CE (now a hotel). Is that Kiefer Sutherland?2The main facade of Cathedral of Santiago de CompostelaThe line up to get into the cathedral. It went fast cause I chatted with a couple from Portugal.One side (transept) of the cathedralStained glass window and the Rosetta symbol that is repeated throughout the cathedral2The organFunerary space of the archbishopsThe cross of Santiago: red for the blood of St. James when he was beheaded1The altar1Interesting stain glassSepulchre of Jesus

    Santiago de Compostela

    Aug 13–15, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Checked out of my room because I had reserved only 1 night. I requested to extend by 1 night, but I didn't get a response. A young clerk phoned a taxi for me which took about 30 minutes. I got to my new room, but there was no way to get in (apartment building) and check-in wasn't until 3pm. Fortunately, a resident left the building and I snuck my bags in. I walked to the core of Santiago in weather that was grey and drizzling. There were lots of tourists. I spent the entire day wandering around the old streets. At 6:30, I hobbled to my rental. Of course, my luck, there was a message from my previous hostel saying that I could stay another night!!Read more

  • Rhonda GerberTravelerCamino francés
    Breakfast at the airport. I should have stuck with the croissant!
    Lyon train stationLyon train stationWaiting for TGV on the platform at LyonNew schedule: photo of the clerk's phoneOutside the Grenoble train station:the Alps in the backgroundTrain schedule2Waiting in the rain & thunder storm for the train from Lyon-part-dieu

    Santiago to Mâcon

    August 14, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Nacho, the man I rented last night's room from, ordered a taxi for me yesterday for 4:30 am. My flight to Barcelona took off at 6:45am and landed at 8:25am. In Barcelona, I had a 4 hour layover until 12:25pm for my flight to Lyon, landing at 1:55pm. Then, first train from Lyon to Grenoble, my connecting train from Grenoble at 17h25 was cancelled due to a storm. The next connecting train was at 20h21 from Grenoble to Lyon-part-dieu. The last leg of the jorney was a third train from Lyon-part-dieu to Mâcon was at 22h18 and arriving at Mâcon at 23h04. My original arrival should have been at 8:05pm. Eva picked me up at the station. She had gone on to the platform to find me, but we just missed each other. She found me outside of the entrance. It was great to see her of course!Read more

  • Rhonda GerberTravelerCamino francés
    Castor wants attention
    1fat tummy rubsAlfred, the magpie, rescued and now 4 months oldAlfredView from the yardThe house and "la ruine" (where I slept)with Gilles and Eva :)At home in Anglurela ruine, where I slept2The next door neighboursNext doorThe other neighboursthe drivewayluside la ruine: the front door1inside la ruineThe bed in the loft where I sleptinside la ruinethe washroom in la ruine3kitties love the kitchen table

    Anglure, Bourgogne

    Aug 14–16, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    The home of Eva and Gilles, in the "lieu-dit" (name given by the locals) Anglure. We spent the day together, and had beautiful weather, which allowed us to have our meals outside. Eva and Gilles fixed up Alfred's cage to make sure that no rodents or cats could get in to potentially hurt him. He was found at maybe a week old, and Gilles and Eva rescued him. He has a leg that is deformed and is now 4 months old.Read more

  • Rhonda GerberTravelerCamino francés

    Mâcon to Strasbourg (TGV)

    August 16, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Eva took me to the train station and we waited together on the platform for the TGV to arrive at 2:16pm. My seat was #74 in the upper level, and when I found it, it was occupied. The lady in my assigned seat said that she had changed seats and that I could have her seat, if I wanted to. I asked her, "et si je ne veux pas?" She replied that she would return to her seat. I said that I was joking and asked her for the seat number. So, I went below, and found seat #47. The rest of the trip went smoothly. The TGV INOUI did not post the speed of the train, but normally, the highest speed is 295 km/h. The 2 videos posted are to show what it looks like from the inside of the train. 3:54pm arrival in Strasbourg. I found tram C then got off at stop Gallia. I found The Strasbourg People hostel by taking the "indirect" walking route (where are the street signs when you need 'em ??)Read more

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