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Camino Frances
  • David Pavlosek

Camino Frances

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  • Trip start
    October 29, 2023
    David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Preparation

    October 22, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    I started reading Paolo Coelho, Pilgrimage in preparation.

    I chanced upon nice quote:
    “You don’t have to climb a mountain to find out whether or not it’s high.”
    “The ship is safest when it’s in port, but that’s not what ships were built for,”

    The Seed Exercise Kneel on the ground. Then seat yourself on your heels and bend forward so that your head touches your knees. Stretch your arms behind you. You are now in a fetal position. Relax, releasing all of your tensions. Breathe calmly and deeply. Little by little you will perceive that you are a tiny seed, cradled in the comfort of the earth. Everything around you is warm and delicious. You are in a deep, restful sleep. • Suddenly, a finger moves. The shoot no longer wants to be a seed; it wants to grow. Slowly you begin to move your arms, and then your body will begin to rise, straightening up until you are seated on your heels. Now you begin to lift your body up, and slowly, slowly you become erect, still kneeling on the ground.    Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Exercises

    October 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Seed exercise
    Kneel on the ground. Then seat yourself on your heels and bend forward so that your head touches your knees. Stretch your arms behind you. You are now in a fetal position. Relax, releasing all of your tensions. Breathe calmly and deeply. Little by little you will perceive that you are a tiny seed, cradled in the comfort of the earth. Everything around you is warm and delicious. You are in a deep, restful sleep.

    After a while start moving, the end is to rise.
    Repeat for seven days.

    The Speed Exercise Walk for twenty minutes at half the speed at which you normally walk. Pay attention to the details, people, and surroundings. The best time to do this is after lunch. Repeat for seven days

    Every time a thought comes to mind that makes you feel bad about yourself—jealousy, self-pity, envy, hatred, and so on—do the following: • Dig the nail of your index finger into the cuticle of the thumb of the same hand until it becomes quite painful. Concentrate on the pain: it is a physical reflection of the suffering you are going through spiritually. Ease the pressure only when the cruel thought has gone.    Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 1 Arrival

    Oct 29–30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    My flight was early, take off at 6:35h. Luckily there was a daylight saving so I gained one hour of sleep, but still. It was tough, I had to drive 1 hour to the airport, then walk from parking 30 min. There was an accident in Brussels and the highway was closed, Good that I could take next exit. The flight was on time, I could sleep a bit. We landed in Asturia under the blue sky and 16C. Great start! First bus to Oviedo, where I had 2 hours break, just enough to make it to the city centre. Oviedo is the start of original Camino, Camino Primitivo. I am quite impressed with Spanish bus system, the buses are on time, comfortable and not too expensive. I can easily look up connection on their web appRead more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 2 Hospital de Orbigo

    Oct 30–31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Day two started without any troubles. I met two people from Netherlands so I practised my Dutch. The lady had a problem with her ankle and she could barely walk. They have been on Camino for seven weeks, me 2 days and I already feel quite beaten. The route was nice and quiet. The last stretch of La Meseta. Most of the time the route followed back country road with almost no traffic. One could see from horizon to horizon, nothing around. It reminded me of a story back in my hitchhiking days. One driver mentioned that he experienced something like that in Kazachstan. I strangely became happy when a car appeared on a horizon. I met a German peregrino. He called taxi since his ankle was also swollen and he could not walk anymore. He offered me a ride, I refused. First test? The bridge in Hospital De Orbigo is impressive, the longest on Camino, from 10th century. My albergue is just next to it. Super convenientRead more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 3 Santa Catalina de Somoza

    October 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    I extended today to another village to benefit from good weather. Partially cloudy 10-15C. Lunch time was even very sunny, almost T-shirt quality. I met the German guy with Crocs who went by Taxi to Astorga the other day. You cannot overlook him, bright blue Crocs and he barely walks. It was a good day, I stay in a cool place for the night called La Boheme. Tomorrow will hopefully be also good.Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 4 Foncebadon

    November 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Last night was very interesting. I stayed in an old Spanish house that was converted to a hostel totally run on donations. The owner made it very cosy, he cooked dinner and breakfast for us. I met a person who just retired this year. He started walking at the end of August from France. He already completed more than 1000 km. It's very cold today, around 5C in Foncebadon. I stayed in an Albergue that was converted from the church. The dormitory is not heated, so it will be very cold. Let's see.Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 5 Ponferrada

    November 2, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    What a day today. I experienced storm Ciaran, snow, icy rain, flooding, very strong winds. 27km from the highest point on Camino - Cruz de Ferro. People bring the stone from their home and leave it here. This symbolizes problems left behind. The road was practically non existent, since it was mainly downhill, the path turned into small rivers by rushing water. At certain point I gave up on having my shoes dry and I just went ahead. As fast as possible, so it can reach the valley and a better weather. Today was truly a tough day. No drying up in accomodation.Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 6 Villafranca del Bierzo

    Nov 3–4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    I managed to dry my shoes and clothes in Ponferrada. I started little later this morning. It was raining and the forecast looked better during the day, so no need to rush. Today's stage went surprisingly very quickly. There are more and more pilgrims on the route. So I ended up talking to some most of the journey. It helps not to think about hurting feet, rainy weather, and a heavy bag. If we don't pay attention to our sorrows, they don't bother. Or is it the magical effect of Camino? I stay one night in a medieval town of Villafranca del Bierzo. It's also called "little Compostela. There are many beautiful churches and a monastery.Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 7 la laguna de castilla

    Nov 4–5, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    Today was also very tough. It was raining almost the entire day. On top of it, I had to climb 700m in altitude and as soon as I reached top plateau, strong wind came. But not like in Brussels, you can barely walk, raincoat was useless, hailstorm was punching me in the face. Last 1km was a survival mode. Hopefully the wind will dye out during the night. I forgot my charger in the previous hostel, I will wait for luggage transportation guy tomorrow in O Cebreiro. He should bring it. It's a good service here.Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler
    1

    Day 8 Triacastela

    November 6, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    Today was supposed to be easy, but it was hard. Rain, winds, streams of water on the way. But O Cebreiro was very nice, I sent the postcards. And I finished with the fantastic hostel in Triacastela.

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 10 Hospital de la Cruz

    November 7, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Today was supposed to be a good weather after a week of rain. I was looking forward to it. We spent last night with two other pilgirms from UK and Mexico in Brabadelo. The owner organized dinner. It was very nice. I left the Albergue around 8:30 expecting nice sunny day, as soon as I opened the door, a heavy rain arrived. Lukcily, it was the only 30min day during entire 30km walk today. I am staying in municipal Albergue in Hospital de la Cruz. It's nice, the downside is that there is no food and not even a possibility to order any. I have last three instant soups. That will do.Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 11 Melide

    Nov 8–9, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Today started a bit difficult. I ate my last instant soups last night and was planning to go to a restaurant for breakfast. It was supposed to open at 7 a.m. But it was closed, I had no food left, only candies. I had no idea what to do, so I walked. Miraculously, after 1-2 km in a small hamlet, there was a small bar open with a very nice lady. I had bread with marmalade and banana. Ready for the day! Now in Melide for the second to the last night. Tomorrow probably to Santa Irene.Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 12 Santa irene

    Nov 9–10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    I am a bit getting excited. I booked a hotel in Santiago and bus going back to Oviedo. Last 25km or so. It almost did not rain today. Drizzle does not count after two big storms. The landscape and nature changes. I pass by cactus trees, and interesting forests. It was a long stage today as well, over 30km. As soon as I got used to constant pain from blisters, my left shoulder started hurting. My bag is heavy. My body also feels that this was a big effort. I am staying in a place with no heating. Luckily, it's not so cold, probably around 15C. And there is a restaurant. I am getting hungry.Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Day 13 Santiago De Compostela

    Nov 10–12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    Last day. I feel it in my entire body. Last night I stayed in a typical pub along the main road to Santiago. A bit run down place, no heating until a bit late in the evening. But they served food, I was craving a big chunk of meat. And boy, did they deliver. On the bright side, I shared my room only with one other pilgrim. He was old, walking Camino Norte with also very bad weather, but luckily did not snore. Or perhaps I was too tired to hear him. Strange thing that I noticed is about "hospitaleros" - the owners in Albergues. Only very few are friendly. Some look even bothered by us. Even though it's a low season and there is hardly anybody on Camino. The last stretch to Santiago was around 24km. Breeze compared to previous more than 30km per day. Typical November weather, fog, drizzle and 10C. I have a recipe for this weather - very fast walk without breaks. So I started with around 10min/km. After Pedrouzo more and more pilgrims showed up, and soon, there was always somebody in front of me. I passed by the airport, we walked just next to the runway. The most advanced transportation with the first one - walking. The rain was quite heavy and did not stop the entire day. I went for the certificate and to the accommodation. I spent the rest of the day getting lost in small streets around the cathedral, buying souvenirs, and attending pilgrims' mass in the evening.Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Last day Oviedo

    Nov 14–15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Today I took a bus going back from Santiago to Oviedo. It was a pleasant ride, I did not need to change, and there was a direct bus. Oviedo welcomed me with over 20C and sunny weather. I climbed a mountain opposite the railway station that promised to offer a nice view of the city and surrounding mountains. More clouds are just coming in, it was a spectacular evening. There are two interesting buildings, a small church, and Santa Maria Narranco - this was under renovation. My pilgrimage started with sunny weather and ended the same.Read more

  • David PavlosekCamino FrancesTraveler

    Last comments

    November 14, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    I am back in Brussels. The journey served me in many ways. I completed the trip, I needed this kind of small achievement. I had time to think. I had time not to think about anything at all. And I met many interesting people. So without mentioning names, let me mention some of them and their reasons to go on Camino.
    First, there was a Dutch couple. It looked like traveling was just their choice and way of life. They were on Camino for almost two months. I met them just outside Leon. It seems that they did not rush. Then, there were some people who were already retired. Yet, they were able to walk and some took this trip as sort of a transition from professional life to a retiree. I wish I could do it at the age of 65+. One person was even walking from somewhere in France, he was clocking more than 1000km. Then there were some group of youngsters from South Korea. They enjoyed more of a sporty part of the trip. Some of them were in the army. They walked quite fast. The girls in that group looked quite worn out. I also met a person from Mexico. He was a lawyer still recovering from a serious neurological disease. He could not walk very fast since his joints were not functioning properly. But he had a plan to walk also Finistere and place the ashes of his beloved dog in the sea. It was a transition for him from his old life to a new life, doing something else, leaving his disease behind him. Then there was a person whose boyfriend died in an avalanche. Another person from Taiwan resigned from work and was seeking answers to the changes in her life she wanted to make. There were also many people who just liked walking, they did not seek any deep spiritual angle of the journey. The last person I met was from Spain. He was also retired. He just liked walking so he walked. And there was me.    Read more

    Trip end
    November 11, 2023
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