Well we successfully made it to our first alburgue (a really cheap hostel for pilgrimes on the camino)!!
I want to try to write here everyday although it may get a bit boring.
Today we left Maria´s house at 830 am and headed towards the university where she showed us the tell tale yellow shell and told us to follow it. We were able to get our passport at an office in the university on the way out of town. The passport is just a little booklet that you get stamped each night at the alburgue. It is what allows you to stay in the cheap hostels.
The path the whole day was very easy to follow - unlike the via alpina. We saw many people walking and a few pilgrimes as well. Today we hiked about 20 km. The total trip will be about 760km over 34 days.
The trail today went through maybe 5 little towns, all very old and cute. We passed a small mountain - about 700 meters. On the top ridge were tons of windmills. It was very beautiful.
I got a spanish omlette sandwich for lunch at a little cafe before going back on the road. We hiked 6hrs today and got in around 4pm. We are currently in La Puente Reina which is a town of about 2,000. It´s known for it´s roasted red peppers. Justin bought a bottle of them and he´s been eating them all evening. Apparently there´s a festival in July and the whole town smells of them.
The alburgue is very nice with a kitchen, washing machine, internet, and a big sitting area. There are about 15 - 20 people staying here with us. The bedrooms are dorm style with 6 - 10 bunk beds in a room. We are sharing our room with an older French couple and a young Swiss dude.
I got a free 30 min leg massage from a volunteer. It was very lovely although a little bizarre. Apparently that´s available at every alburgue. I guess I´ll need to start shaving my legs again.
Justin cooked soup for us with an insant mix and some fresh veggies along with stolen spices from Maria´s house and a small bottle of tobasco sauce. It was great!! We also had some crusty bread and beer to complete the meal.
We also bought walking sticks in the town that we are engraving with our names and notching for each day we walk. We bought them because the path was VERY muddy and we nearly wiped out several times. The weather today was sunny and crisp - perfect for hiking. Hopefully it keeps up.
We´ll write more tomorrow. My time´s almost up! Hope everyone voted!!
My immediate future
14 years ago
4 comments:
Hola Peregrinos!
I found your blog and have posted the address on three camino forums so that wanna be fall/winter pilgrims can follow you along your path.
Keep warm - put layers of newspaper between your shirts and jackets in front (the backpack will keep your back warm: some albergues have closed so check ahead (ask the hospitalero if the next town has an open albergue: take lots of fluid even though it is cold because you will still perspire; try the Churros y chocolate (yummy!) and just enjoy!
Buen suerte,
Sil
I would not expect a massage at every refuge unless that volunteer follows you!
At this time of year, some refuges will have closed down but the hospitalero at your night's stop can usually tell you which ones are open up ahead the next day.
I walked in February once a few years back and the main problem was getting enough food as several of the shops I tend to use were closed on the day I walked through. You need more energy food in cold weather than hot so I would recommend carrying a little stock of nuts, raisins, energy drinks etc in your backpacks.
Caroline.
Love that you are blogging, and will check your news daily. Wish I could be doing the same with you. There´s nothing better than being out walking on the Camino. When I walked, chocolate always came to my rescue for energy.
Buen Camino,
Lynda
Madrid, Spain
hey kids....it was great talking to you today on the phone....hurray for obama!!!! we are just giddy with joy and hope. wonderful to be able to walk the camino with you via your blog entries. love it that you're getting some expert advice from others that have done exactly what you're doing. we've just read another bloggers' account of it snowing and being cold in northern spain just at the end of last month (october). dad just read that in december and january many (if not most) of the albergues will be closed. definitely check ahead. (since you're going to be traveling 'til december 7 or so). also, later in this month as the weather turns colder, carry more food/water with you. it's recommended to keep your cell phone charged and with you at all times. for an emergency, dial 112 (like our 911). the police number is 062. take care, have fun,and be safe. love, mom
Post a Comment