Bus drop off

First stamp

First albergue

Quiet street at 7am

The first Camino sign I’ve seen

The original plan was to walk 25km, but the risk of not finding accommodation in the next town and having to walk 10 more km made me rethink. My legs are tiered and I wish I would have a roller to use it but they don’t practice rolling here :)

I got my own shell

I learned today that I have my own speed going through life and that I welcome everyone to join me; I’m competitive and I feel good when I make progress and I pass someone on the trail; planning takes too much for my brain power; the ibuprofen makes magic when your legs hurt. I passed Hontanas and walked under St Anthony’s Archases and hiked the highest hill of my journey so far.

And now spending the night in a church where I was lucky enough to find the last bed.

Before leaving we all prayed together and the volunteers wished us good luck on the journey. I never thought that I’ll have such a memorable experience in a 1000sf church without electricity.

Yellow flowers

Coping with pain in my cozy hoody that blocks the cold wind. It started with a knee pain and it moved to a hip and then my legs hurt, but the knee and the hip were fine. Because of the pain \240I’m \240tempted me to stop but my intention is to push through another 15km where I have a bed reserved.

I met three other ladies from Netherlands, Belgium and Canada on the trail and we are pampering ourselves with a room for four and a private bathrooms. Cloths are in the dryer so life is good!

Walking in Carrión de los Condes I walked into the first church I see called Santa Clara to rest and enjoy some alone time. When I walk inside I see one of my friends Clara (in Santa Clara) attending the service and all I could hear was this beautiful singing by the nuns of the church. I was taken by surprise and impressed to tears.

The next 17km were on aflat trail in the full sun. It was the longest leg of my trip and the hardest so far. The heat and the fear of running out of water made me finish it without stopping.

The same thing you would see for third time. I’m glad I had enough battery in the phone to listen to my book and music.

After the 17km, I call this little place haven. It’s still very hot but I found water to fill out my bottle so I’m good to continue my journey to Ledigos.

Moratino was a village on my way that has this moratino built 2000 years ago in this hill. It’s was used for making and storing wine.

After several hours walking in the rain I stoped at a small, three tables, restaurant and my table top was built on a Singer sewing machine.

Hot soup has warmed me up after I discovered that my rain jacket is not waterproof.

The place I’m staying at has a London clock. Thinking of you Andra!

For breakfast I was asked if I want eggs and ham and I said yes. She also asked me if I want orange juice and toast and I said yes and when she turned around I stopped her to ask her for a coffee and she said yes. I ended up with a lot of very tasty food that should have been for two people. I finished everything and I’m not sorry for the language barrier and saying yes to everything!

Restaurant notes

Warming up for the walk

Little circles and big circles… My location from up above

The town before the storm.

To save our legs for a day, we took the bus for 18 km to Leon where we pretty much woke up the city. It was very quiet and the large plazas were welcoming us with flowers and beautiful architecture.

The Leon cathedral is impressive from outside but the interior is beautiful and well preserved.

With all these beauty the best was yet to come. Patricia, one of my closest friends from Eindhoven, has traveled for almost 3 hours to see me and we meet again after 20 years! I used to call her corazon because of her lovely and happy personality which she still has. Other than having 3 boys and moving from Barcelona to Santander she has not changed a bit. She’s wearing the same type of sweatshirts with designs, not wearing makeup and still biting her nails. She made my day complete!

We spent several hours together catching up on our life events and moving from having breakfast to wine and lunch.

The meats and the wine at their best

Pig blood and eggs for lunch. It’s been a very fulfilling experience that I would not have if I were seating somewhere on a beach.

Another stop to see Casa Botines, a building by Gaudi.

Old crowd and some new people …lady in blue, Marian is the owner of the cjess and go company https://www.schaakengo.nl/goshop-keima/and she’s been biking from Amsterdam.

Resting feet and chocolate

And now stopped for the night to a place where they surve vegan food. The food was very tasty and with the hippie atmosphere there isn’t anything else to wish for!

He’s the chef that volunteers for 8 month a year making tea for all of us.

These is how people sleep on the Camino. Only the loweybeds are used and yes, snoring is a problem :)

After several hours of walking without paddy any villagers we came across this place were food, drinks and a place to rest was offered by a guy that’s been there for 12 years.

I’m overwhelmed with the kindness and abundance I found on Camino.

He doesn’t have electricity or water but he’s garden is blooming. What you see in the back is just a wall and behind it it’s a vegetable garden. The water he’s using to wash dishes is rain water he’s collecting.

Yesterday I learned the story of Camino… on your way to Santiago the sun is always behind you because you walk towards west. \240The walks are in the morning and you always see and follow your shadow. Once you reach Santiago your soul is reborn and if you walk farther you reach the sea where you wash your body in the water and your body is reborn. After this you can return and walk towards East. \240The sun is in front of you and you get to see the sunrise every morning because you are now reborn.

Passed Astorga, a little town where Gaudy has left his touch on this beautiful building. The color of the stone and the style is very similar to the building I’ve seen in Leon.

When you have only 5 more minutes not to lose your reservation and your legs have left you a km back.

A little haven somehow awaits at the end of every day.

I’m in Galicia, the green part of the trail which has surpassed me with it’s beauty. . I’m heading up the mountain on a rocky trail but someone wrote on a sign to watch the trees … it was a good reminder to look up and around instead of just focusing on where to step next.

The flowers and the view was impressive. I hiked up over 700 m and over to the other side of the hill.

After hiking through the trees and on different type of terrain, mostly rocks that would roll under your feet, I reached the top of the hill to this very tall iron cross surrounding by rocks. People bring rocks and objects from around the world and live them here. This represents the weight you’ve carried through life that you can now leave behind.

This is the highest point on the Camino - the French Way

This is the traditional prayer you say at the bottom of the cross …O Lord, May the stone which I bring to this holy place Be a sign of pilgrimage to Santiago. When I reach my final judgment, Tip the balance of my life In favor of my good deeds. I lay down this token Which I carry from Burgos. Please forgive my sins And help me carry my burdens in life. Amen.

Coming down the hill, the views are beautiful. There are many fountains along the way but this one gave me the cold water I need it and made me stop and look around.

When I went up I listened to music and it felt very easy and enjoyable. The adrenaline rush helped me not feel the pain in my legs. Same as in life, going up is enjoyable but coming down is painful and you can get hurt. My knees were hurting and I got mentally exhausted from thinking how to step without getting hurt.

I found a bed after 27km and now I’m keeping my feet up while waiting for dinner to be served in few hours.

The sun is rising on the other side of the mountain. I’m still using my night eyes to walk but I got into the habit of watching to see what each sunrise brings. Every morning is different.

The sound of birds chirping sounds better than any of my playlists. I’m in the la la land taking my time as I don’t want this music to end too soon

The sun starts covering and warming the mountains. I feel the cold of the morning but there is no wind. It’s peaceful.

Today I had the first thought that I might want to do Camino again. Let’s see how this evolves!

I had to use my Jazzercise moves to bend and walk under branches. Balance was a problem but luckily I didn’t roll

❤️ Alex

This is the Roman bridge entering Molinasesca. No more descending from this point onwards. My knees are happy.

This is a \240garden I’ve spotted behind gates in one of the villages I passed today. In there houses you see a lot of stones, some wood in balconies and around windows and flowers is pots everywhere.

This guy made my day! He was waiting for people with fruts, coffee and pasties … how did he know that I needed my coffee?! He’s 78 and doing this every day. Seeing people like him makes me want to slow down, see the people around me and be a better person for them.

This is in Ponferrada. Another Cinderella \240castle called Knights Templar. I didn’t get to visit it, but it was very impressive from outside. The city downtown was small but it had at least 4 churches and the city hall building was beautiful. From here I took the bus to Villafranca del Bierzo. Hope my legs will be ready for another hike .. this time going up for 1162m in 28km.

Leo hostel is where I’m staying and where I got the last bed because of a last minute cancellation. It’s build in someone’s house and this painting is the father of the lady who manages the place. Her dad was once a peregrine and decided to move here. She’s very sweet and kind. Took my clothes to wash them and when she has seen my hair went she immediately came with a hair dryer. It’s also very impressive how she talks and treats everyone. She didn’t have more beds but she called around to find places for the people that walked in. I have to walk around and take more pictures because the woodwork and the stone combination is beautiful.

The life hack of the day … did you know that some French people use mint flavored bicarbonate on their toothpaste to keep they teeth white? \240It also helps with the digestion which reminds me of my grandmother giving me water with bicarbonate for indigestion.