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Camino de Santiago 2018
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Camino de Santiago 2018

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  • Phils TravelBlog SpainCamino de Santiago 2018Traveler
    The bridge into Estella.
    Fresh squeezed orange juice...they squeezed fresh while you waited.Part of the “Way”Wine country! Not quite ready for harvest...3Part of the way through a small village.Heading down into this valley.2This is Sam! He is from Italy. He is walking the Camino as well!A rest stop in an olive tree grove.1Fruit for donations. I love coming across these little places....adds some energy.Soon to be Vino!

    Puente La Reina to Estella

    April 29, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Hola from Los Arcos, Spain. I didn’t get a chance to post last night so two coming at you today. I left Puente La Reina at 730 a yesterday morning heading to Estella. I am now out of the Pyrenees foothills and getting into wine country. I really struggled with this leg of the trip for some reason...a combination of some tough hills, my body being tired and walking through some heavy rains for the last couple of miles. But things are much better tonight as I write this. I walked the afternoon with Kristy...my police officer friend from Australia. She had a small hotel booked and since I was cold, wet and tired....I went there and got a room instead of trying to find an albergue. The place was clean and had a restaurant so...it worked. Hotels are significantly more money but you have a private room as well as hotter water usually and not having to fight for an outlet to charge my iPad is also a huge plus. I don’t have any photos of Estella for two reasons, it didn’t seem to be a historic little town like some and I was too cold, tired and sore to go out and look around. So, the following photos are of my trip between Puente La Reina and Estella.Read more

  • Phils TravelBlog SpainCamino de Santiago 2018Traveler
    1Inside the church..Iglesia de San Andres.
    And another...Elaine and AnastasiaThe Iglesia de San Andres from the outside.The cafe for lunch.At the top of the Alto de Perdon.2A great snack around 3pm in a small town. Bacon and pepper sandwich. Delicious!1Sometimes you have to really look for the arrows...My home for the night.Da bunk room.

    Pamplona to Puente la Reina

    April 28, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Hey everyone! Thank you again for dropping by. I left Pamplona this morning around 8am with a group of people from last night. It didn’t take long to get separated however, as everyone walks at their own pace. I ended up walking the first few hours by myself and managed to lose my walking stick when I stopped to get a water refill and got distracted by a dog and left my stick. I didn’t realize it until a half hour later and I wasn’t going back to get it. Ugh. But, I am fine without it and it was always in the way when I was taking photos anyway. I stopped the small town of Zariquiegui which is the home of Iglesia de San Andres which is a 13th century church of which I have included photos of. And, it was in a scene of “The Way” ....a movie starring Martin Sheen about this trip. I ran into Elaine (Phoenix) and Anastasia (the young Russian girl). We got some lunch at a local cafe here...Coffe con leche’, orange juice and a banana for me. We climbed the Alto de Perdon which is at the top of a mountain with the wind turbines....which was a real bitch while humping a pack. And as much of a bitch going down the other side. I also ran into a girl that I met in Zubiri...a police officer from Brisbane Australia who has a thick accent much like Crocidle Dundee. I was looking down, fixing my pack when I heard “ Oh look....it’s my American paramedic friend”. She gave me some chocolate for energy for the trip over the top of the mountain...hikers are so good to each other on this trip. I lost touch with them all by early afternoon and met up with a young Italian guy who was struggling with a shin splint so we walked slowly...as I was hurting as well... for the last few miles into Puente la Reina. I am at an albergue tonight on the edge of town located at the top of a huge hill...just what I needed at the end of a long day...but it is $14.50 for the night...cheap enough for a bed and a shower, oh and a little bar. The place is a 100 bed albergue. I arrived at 5 pm and I was placed in a 4 bed room with Anastasia and Elaine...completely by chance....go figure! We lose Anastasia tomorrow as she is going further than the rest of us...the way it is on the trail. That’s it for now...hope everyone is well!Read more

  • Phils TravelBlog SpainCamino de Santiago 2018Traveler
    Yes...this is Basque Country...make no mistake
    Part of the trail today...2A small hamlet I passed throughWhere modern day meets the countryside....heading into Pamplona1Just a place I passed through1Bridge into the old city of PamplonaBusy streets here...The main square in Pamplona...Plaza del CastilloNear dark, just off the Plaza del CastilloMy lodgings for tonight.

    Zubiri to Pamplona

    April 27, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Hey everyone, as usual, I appreciate everyone checking out my blog. I started my day at 0630...on the road to Pamplona at 0730 after breakfast. The breakfast was provided by the albergue I stayed at last night. French bread, coffee and jam. One thing I have figured out..if breakfast is provided at no extra charge, it will be bread, coffee and jam. But, it works well enough. I had left over chorizo and cheese from last night for lunch. About a third of the way to Pamplona, I was sitting on the side of the trail tending to a hotspot on my foot with moleskin when two women from day one came along...Karen from the Netherlands and Elaine from Phoenix...who I call “Phoenix” instead of Elaine. They invited me to hike with them for the rest of the day and we’re joined by a woman from Brazil...Chandra. We made it to Pamplona around 3:30, and went our separate ways. I found a hostel, private room, for 40 euro, ($50 US)right off the main square. I headed out again around dinner time and ran into Phoenix, some of her friends and the young Russian girl who I crossed the Pyrenees with. Weird that I would find them in a large city so we figured it was meant to be so we had dinner of tapas and wine together. We are all walking tomorrow to Puente la Reina. That’s it for now....thank you for checking in!Read more

  • Phils TravelBlog SpainCamino de Santiago 2018Traveler
    5People do die along the route apparently
    My greeter upon entering a small hamletMuch of my hike todayAnd of course the markerNot any different than a Maine trail4Is that all it takes? Wow...deep.Da bridge in ZubiriMy home for the night2My dinner view.Every town has a bell tower

    Gerendiain to Zubiri

    April 26, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    Hola from Spain! Thank you for checking in. Got up at 630 am. Had breakfast at the hotel...coffee, bread & jam. Started walking at 8am, shooting for Larsorona or Pamplona but stopped at Zubiri. The trail was hilly, rising and descending and realized that I wouldn’t get to Pamplona till late and larsorona had limited WiFi and only one unreliable pub so I opted to lay up in Zubiri. Zubiri is an industrial town with a magnesium factory/mine with a population of 435. It has a gothic bridge dating back to the Middle Ages. I arrived around 2pm and got a decent alberge for 15 euro...so about $18 with breakfast included. I got some laundry done...with only two sets of clothes, you do it often. I saw the town which didn’t take long, got some dinner...Chorizo, cheese and some kind of spicy peppers and ate it next to the river with my feet in the water. Headed to Pamplona in the morning...all flat terrain I hear. Take care and thanks!Read more

  • Phils TravelBlog SpainCamino de Santiago 2018Traveler
    2The Monastary at Roncesvalles where I spent the night.
    Practically there!Little town of Burguete. Parking is a little tight I would think!Most of my day...3Love the horses...and the one laying down is asleep..but very much alive.Always looking for these markers.This place saved my feet today...took away the hotspots.1My quarters for tonight.1What should we put in the town square? How about some cows! Gerendiain...Old fashioned wash in the sink, dry in the sun 🌞

    Roncesvalles to Gerendiain

    April 25, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    I set out this morning at 8am attempting to get to Zubiri which is a 14 mile walk. However, I only made it to Gerendiain which is an 8 mile walk. I shortened the day for a few reasons...soreness from the Pyrenees crossing, the need to rest, needing to wash some clothes and a rainstorm creeping up behind me. But, it all turned out well...Gerendiain is an interesting little town with a population of 25. Yep, 25. The town is actually mentioned in the Codex Calixtinus which was the first Camino guidebook for pilgrims written in the 13th century...so, the place is pretty darn old! I found a small hotel here which caters to Camino walkers. A little expensive by Camino standards compared to an albergue but you are not in a bunk room fighting for an outlet to charge your phone.....but way less expensive then cheap hotel at home. Plus, dinner and breakfast are included for around $40. The owner cooked dinner....a pasta/ham dish with eggs, fries, bread and wine. Lots of carbs and protein served here to keep the hikers going. Had dinner with a father and son from Brazil tonight. I set off for Larrasoana in the morning but could possibly make Pamplona. Doing well...a bit of a sunburn, some sore muscles but no blisters! I hope everyone is well and thank you for checking in!Read more

  • Phils TravelBlog SpainCamino de Santiago 2018Traveler
    Connor, looks like Pipe!
    A big stop along the way and One of the two only water sourcesSame place from a distanceUp...always up.And up.And up some moreStill going upLooking back but still climbing.The second of only two water sources....I was pretty dry when I hit it.

    Over the Pyrenees to Spain

    April 24, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 🌫 8 °C

    Thank you everyone for checking in! I left St Jean Pied de Port this morning at 7am. I hiked for 14 hours and finally made it to Spain. It was an extreme bitch of a day although the views were amazing. 28K....so about 18 Miles I think....all up and down steep grades. I hiked with a woman from the Netherlands this morning who was really really struggling which slowed me down a bit. Hiked the afternoon with a young Russian girl from Moscow....she was struggling as much as myself by evening being the first day out. Arrived tonight at 9pm at Roncesvalees...an old monastery from like the 13th century. It has been a sanctuary for pilgrims since that time. I couldn't get a photo of it as it was too dark when I arrived. Again, thank you everyone for checking in!Read more

  • Phils TravelBlog SpainCamino de Santiago 2018Traveler
    Breakfast!
    Kind of the main “pilgrim street”. All uphill.My bunk for the night...no frills.1View from my room.1A badass walking stick.My home for the nightThe official start of the Camino. St. James Gate. It appears to be really really old.The first of many bridges.My only job for awhile....following these things. Seems easy enough?2The beach at Biarritz...wish I had time to stay!

    Biarritz to St. Jean Pied de Port, Fr.

    April 23, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    The start of the Camino. Tomorrow is a 17 mile walk mostly up hill and down the other side of the Pyrenees into Spain. I awoke this morning in Biarritz and found some breakfast...a croissant and an espresso, typical for here it seems but it worked. I made my way into the center of town and met up with two women from Denmark who were headed to the same place, joined them and made my way here around 1pm. So, St Jean Pied de Port....an amazing town. Lots of outdoor cafe’s. I went to the Pilgrim office, got my passport validated, checked into the municipal alberge, bought a walking stick and checked out the town. I had dinner tonight with my bunk mates from the Netherlands, Italy and France....a “pilgrims meal” which is a high protein inexpensive meal that is commonly served along the way. A shower next, organize my pack and to bed. Almost 9pm here. Thank you everyone for checking in! A special thanks to Damian Brockway for all his help with cameras and technical stuff!Read more

  • Phils TravelBlog SpainCamino de Santiago 2018Traveler
    1Wow, what a color
    1On the tarmac changing planes in IcelandJust an average place in Paris....Caswell would be in heaven!Out the train window1Typical french rail platformPretty typical French train station...some are larger than others but all pretty much alike.1My hotel in Biarritz with the pissed off hotel manager

    Baltimore to Biarritz, France

    April 21, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    I left Baltimore for France on Saturday night....a very long flight and long train trip to southern France. The trip Lasted almost 30 hours and ended last night at 1030 pm with a very irate hotel manager that I apparently woke up to let me in....but then, the French are easily irritated it seems. A few photos from along the way. There is a way to label each photo but I haven’t managed to figure that part out yet...
    But I will! And I just did 🙂    Read more

  • Phils TravelBlog SpainCamino de Santiago 2018Traveler
    Connor’s home away from home.The “crew”

    Home to Hood College, MD

    April 20, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Hey everyone, thank you for checking in, I left Friday from Portland to Hood College to see Connor before I left for Europe. I am just starting my posts now due to being on the run for the past few days with limited sleep and limited wi-fi availability. I would like to thank everyone for all of their help with making this trip possible. The Delta Management for letting me out of there for five weeks...everyone at my work who is covering for me while I am away...my mom, who is watching my house and by helping with my gear through LL Bean gift cards....and Bev, who very patiently endured all of my talk and planning for this trip.Read more

    Trip start
    April 20, 2018
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