Camino de Santiago

August - October 2022
  • Kathie Lassos the Moon
A 40-day adventure by Kathie Lassos the Moon Read more
  • Kathie Lassos the Moon

List of countries

  • Spain Spain
  • France France
  • United States United States
Categories
Backpacking, Culture, Nature, Self discovery, Sightseeing, Solo travel, Spirituality
  • 10.4kmiles traveled
Means of transport
  • Flight9,800kilometers
  • Walking-kilometers
  • Hiking-kilometers
  • Bicycle-kilometers
  • Motorbike-kilometers
  • Tuk Tuk-kilometers
  • Car-kilometers
  • Train-kilometers
  • Bus-kilometers
  • Camper-kilometers
  • Caravan-kilometers
  • 4x4-kilometers
  • Swimming-kilometers
  • Paddling/Rowing-kilometers
  • Motorboat-kilometers
  • Sailing-kilometers
  • Houseboat-kilometers
  • Ferry-kilometers
  • Cruise ship-kilometers
  • Horse-kilometers
  • Skiing-kilometers
  • Hitchhiking-kilometers
  • Cable car-kilometers
  • Helicopter-kilometers
  • Barefoot-kilometers
  • 51footprints
  • -days
  • 348photos
  • 555likes
  • Meet The Unexpected!

    September 6, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    Today was a long day! The heat was beating down on us while we went from Los Arcos to Logroño. The final 6 km were especially rough because there were no bars or water fountains. I had 3 km left and a little old woman had her house door opened. She was selling water among other luxury items, like iced tea, and bread! She took one look at my overheated face and want to make sure they had me sit and drink water (for 1€ which I gladly paid!)
    After watching the sun come up as we walked, I saw this smoke—I thought it was smoke…it was dust! We were abruptly greeted by about a 100 sheep crossing the road to the pasture. Border Collies working the flock! It really made my morning! I walked 28 km today.
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  • Yes, My Legs and Feet are So Sore!

    September 7, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Missing my sweet husband today on his birthday. I have never missed his birthday.

    I walked from Logroño to Najera, which is 28.9 km. We were so blessed with an overcast day and a BREEZE! It made the long hike as enjoyable as it could be.

    I feel blessed to have the eyes of faith! It amazes me the many reminders of our loving God. The sunrises greet me in the morning. The Camino family I have here in Spain--support each other in this quest to Santiago. The huge bull (art) stood proudly for this Texas girl. Beautiful nature surrounds me when I walk. The crosses individuals have placed in the fences along the path. All reminders we are not alone. All prompting me to be grateful and give thanks for this day on the Camino de Santiago!
    Santo Domingo tomorrow!
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  • Feeling Puny on Camino is No Fun!

    September 8, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F

    Walking 21 km is not too bad, except if you are sick to your stomach. I felt awful yesterday, but I made it! I even went to the Spanish Pilgrim’s Mass— but all I really wanted to do was to be back in my bedroom in Coppell, TX with Joe and my Aussie girls Ellie and Piper.
    Tomorrow is another day!
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  • Be Sure to Turn Around!

    September 8, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    Starting early in the morning in the silence of darkness. Torch on. It’s not long before I hear the clicking of trekking poles and the hum of quiet voices. This is a typical morning on the Camino.

    This morning was on the cold side. I am always cold, but even the pilgrims around me had long sleeves and jackets. After the hot sun, day after day, cool morning is a welcomed change!

    No food or coffee at the Albergue, so we hike for over an hour to the next town, hoping a bar is open for coffee and breakfast! We were in luck!

    At the bar stop, we see many of the pilgrims we have been traveling with from town to town. Some we have not seen in days, some we saw last night in the plaza.

    As we approach the towns, the church steeple is always visible...because it is high on a hill...a hill we will climb!

    Along the Frances Way, there is an opportunity to discover some of the most beautiful Cathedrals in Spain. Most have Mass in the evening for all pilgrims.

    The Camino heads southwest. I share this because you will miss God’s magnificent handiwork as the sunrises if you don't turn around!

    I have no idea where I'm headed tomorrow, but I can't wait!
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  • Sandwiched Between the Moon and Sun

    September 10, 2022 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 52 °F

    Good morning! Woke up to a cool (almost cold) morning. As we left the town and there were no longer street lights, I turned on my headlamp. I didn’t walk far to realize I wouldn’t need the light this morning because the full moon was standing strong in front of us. Not to be outdone, the sun was rising behind us. Such an amazing sight, pictures cannot capture it, but I tried!Read more

  • Long Day. Long Walk.

    September 10, 2022 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

    For the past four days, I have not felt well. I soldier on thinking I would get over whatever “it” is. But I haven’t, and after 29 km today I went to the Hospital by way of the Pharmacy. I am fine. I was given a prescription and I know I will feel better tomorrow.

    Mimi from Massachusetts (part of my Camino family), came to the hospital with me. We were dead-dog-tired, but she didn’t want me to go solo! She speaks Spanish which was extremely helpful. It is Saturday, and many pharmacies in Spain have doctors. So we’re off in a taxi to the Pharmacy. Well, as luck would have it—on Saturday most pharmacies close after noon. We found one open, but no doc, and the pharmacy advised us to go to the hospital.

    We didn’t have a long wait, but we were deliriously tired. Once I saw the doc ( apparently during a shift change so I heard “pronto” quite a bit), she examined me — sort of and after one test she confirmed what I thought was the problem and wrote an RX. Once again we were off in the taxi to fill the prescription and then to Albergue, several towns away where we are staying the night

    I am turning it in now. Burgos is tomorrow and I will take a day and a half off the trail to rest! Only 21 km (versus too many today)!

    I hope to post more about the experience than just about my day!

    Prayers were greatly appreciated (Marie thank you for asking for more on my behalf! ❤️) Now prayers of thanksgiving!

    Sweet dreams!
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  • Burgos and Rest Day Tomorrow!

    September 11, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    I was not going to walk this morning, but once I got up with all of the other 7 bunk-mates in the Albergue (they were just in my room—many more pilgrims throughout! I thought I would try to walk as far as I could and get a bus to Burgos if I needed to—but I managed ok.
    I am so happy to be in a hotel with a private bathroom! Another bonus, I know I won’t have any snorers in my room!

    I love being part of the Camino community, and much of this entails hostel and Albergue living. We are sharing bathrooms and bedrooms. 99.9% of pilgrims are quiet, considerate, and so much fun to get to know. We truly encourage each other and look out for each other. The toughest nights I have had thus far were the 16-bunk mixed dorm. Men and women mixed among the 16 twin bunk beds. We had one men’s bathroom, one women’s stall, and 2 showers.

    The race is on once you get your bed assignment because everyone is hot, sweaty, and dusty from walking all day. A shower is usually the #1 thing I do once I arrive. Then there is the necessity to wash your clothes! There are generally just a few sinks to wash out your clothes and find space on the clothesline — so they dry by morning! Some of the albergues will either do your laundry for a small amount or you can find a laundry mat—which is typically positioned by a bar! Makes washing and drying clothes go by a bit faster!

    The Camino is the trail and the people—and it is quite an international group. Not just Europeans. I have made friends with individuals from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and of course, all over Europe and the USA.

    P.S. I am so humbled by the prayers! I am so thankful for getting to see a doctor yesterday and really believe I will get to feeling like new soon! ✝️💜
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  • Sunflowers of Spain

    September 12, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    I love sunflowers! I was surprised when I entered Puente La Reina a few days into my Camino to find a field of sunflowers that had already shared most of their beauty with the world earlier in the season.
    From that day on, I have been stunned to see so many fields and fields of sunflowers. Many fields had dead blooms, but the stalks were still standing at attention for pilgrims who passed by their fields.

    Occasionally I can find a few blooms still offering their charm to us!
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  • Burgos Cathedral with Mimi

    September 12, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    The magnificent Burgos Cathedral did not disappoint!

  • Hornillos & Beginning of the Meseta

    September 13, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Leaving Burgos we traveled with a few new women who have been also traveling solo.

    We saw a gentleman from Ireland traveling alone, and quite confused—this was his first day on the Camino, as he is starting from Burgos. We helped Simon learn how to spot “ the way” out of Burgos. But I must say, Burgos is terribly marked—or should I say not marked much at all! Simon seemed happy to have a cadre of pilgrims to follow.

    After 5 hours, 15 miles, and one big hill later we are at our Albergue for the night.

    Tomorrow we begin the Meseta. Meseta is a part of Spain known among pilgrims for its wide skies, dry heat, and flat lands. It is
    180 km some say 220 km, some have no idea! There is very little to see. It is important to carry more water than usual. And it is important to be prepared for heat, sun, and rain.

    Speaking of rain, we are having an incredible storm now. Praying pilgrims are not walking in it! ⛈

    I’m off to have a beverage, and dinner after washing the sweat, dust, and dirt from my clothes and me!

    Feeling better today. How wonderful it was to have a rest day yesterday! Soaking in a hot bathtub two days in a row was a true luxury!

    Tomorrow I am off to Castrojeriz, 20.1 klicks.

    Can you find the shell or yellow arrows? Some signs are more obvious than others, but not most.

    Blessings to all who read this! ✝️💜
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