Camino Daily Photo 1

Although we are now home, we have so many more photos to share with everyone. So, we'll be posting a "Photo of the Day" for the next few weeks. 

These concrete crosses were found all along our walk in both Portugal and Spain. Sometimes, there were associated with churches we passed; other times, they were just along side the road. They are a strong reminder that this route was what pilgrims took to Santiago for hundreds of years.

Arrival in Santiago

After twelve days on the Camino, we arrived safely in Santiago. Our journey of 240 km or 150 miles took us from Porto, Portugal north into Spain and up to our destination of Santiago. 

On the average, we walked 12 miles a day starting out around 8:30 every morning and easily finishing by early to mid-afternoon. Rain followed us the first week, but then there was nothing but blue skies and sunshine for our last five days into Santiago. 

Our accommodations ranged from private rooms in small hostels to bunk beds in dormitories. This was a very quite time on the Camino, so there was never any pressure on finding a bed. We had reservations where we stayed, but they would not have been necessary. 

Because we walked so many hours every day, in the evenings, we could eat almost any thing we wanted. Coffee breaks and lunch along The Way were enjoyed in the cafe/bars that are found everywhere along the Camino.

The other great joy we experienced was that of meeting up with our Camino friends. As it turned out, we regularly bumped into the same 10-12 people who we took breaks with or even had dinner with. One of the things that makes the Camino special are the people you are sharing the walk with. Some you only see once. Others, you have the good luck to meet up with regularly. 

A Real Sense Of History

One of the joys of traveling in Europe is getting to see see everything from bridges to churches that date back hundreds of years and even more.

As we walked through both Portugal and Spain, evidence of its early inhabitants is everywhere. Regularly, our path took us on where ancient Roman roads once were. We crossed bridges built when Rome occupied these lands.

Even more common are the structures built during the Middle Ages from great cathedrals to bridges where one can imagine knights of old on horseback crossing. 

Most impressive are the cathedrals, many begun around 1300, that took hundreds of years to completely finish. The cathedral in Santiago, our finishing point, was one such structure that easily overwhelms even the most sceptic observer. 

When In Galicia . . .

One of the real treats of travel is being able to taste and enjoy the food specialties an area has to offer. Galicia has some outrageously delicious dishes. When possible, we break away from the pilgrim's menu in order to try some of the seafood that this region of Spain is famous for. 

Empanada de Berberechos

Zamburiñas

Pulpo con Cachelos

When you have the option, order house wine "vino de la casa." It will most often come in a corked, unlabeled bottle and served in bowls. I find it much better quality than "known" commercial wines.

The Road Less Traveled

Roads and trails vary a great deal on the Camino Portuguese. Now that we're in Spain, we've left the cobblestones behind. I'm sure they are partly responsible for Nancy's knee problem. 

For the past 2 1/2 days, we've had some excellent trails to walk. Rain is intermittent, but we're getting just as much sunshine. Today was our first full day in Spain. Immediately, trail conditions were better along with more places to stop and enjoy a coffee or something to eat. Still, at this time of year, there aren't a lot of pilgrims walking this Camino. Most of the time we have the trail to ourselves. As you'll see from these photos, the Portuguese and Spanish countryside are quite beautiful. 

Today, we were advised to take an alternate route through a forested area that turned out to be an excellent recommendation. Instead of walking for several miles on a highway through an industrial area, we strolled through a wooded area often along a stream. Walking doesn't get any better that this. 

We've decided to add a day on to our walk thus cutting down the number of miles we would have had to walk today. Seems like a popular decision being made by a number of other pilgrims we've talked with. We'll have one less day in Santiago, but one more day on the trail.

The Camino Portugués is relatively flat. We've only had one hill of any significance to climb so far (about 450 meters in elevation). The goat trail we went up reminded me of many of the trails in the Adirondacks. And, at the too, a pretty nice view as well! 

Symbols of the Camino

You learn quickly to follow the yellow arrow! Along the Caminho Central through Portugal, signage was excellent. So, it's just one step in front of another while looking for arrows, signs, or shells pointing the direction to Santiago.

Of course, other objects, religious and secular, take on particular significance here on the Camino.

Also interesting is how artists have tried to capture the essence of the pilgrim and the journey they are making to Santiago.

And of course, some signs are more obvious than others!

Camino Friends

One of the really great things about walking the Camino is the people you meet along The Way. We can't say enough good things about the Portuguese and Spanish people who have so graciously welcomed us into their countries. 

Along The Way one makes many Camino friends. It's always a highlight to bump into fellow pilgrims whether on the trail or in a cafe or at the albergue. After seven days on the trail, we now regularly see familiar faces. Unfortunately, mostly due to different walking paces, we only see some folks once. But, that's the way of the Camino.

We met Philip (Germany) and Kiera (Italy) just yesterday. They met on the Camino two years ago and are celebrating their anniversary by walking the same route again and are staying in the same places as they did on their first Camino.

We've been lucky enough to meet up with Less and Meta (Denmark) and Wolf and Stephanie (Germany) on several occasions including lunch today just outside O Porriño. We seem to be on a similar schedule so I anticipate more meeting on down the road.

And of course, there are the local friends who regularly greet us as we walk by where they live. Some are friendlier than others, but always fun to chat a moment or two with.