For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
When I walked VDLP, I was very mindful that this was a north-south route that did not develop as a Camino pilgrimage, given its destination was not Santiago de Compostela. But, throughout centuries, pilgrims used this road to travel from the south of Spain northward in order to reach Santiago...
Not strange (in Spain), but a rather delightful scene on the VDLP.
I can hear their mothers' voices : "You want to do THAT? Fine. But I'm not cleaning up after you.
Judy, I totally get it. I, too, looked for festivals and events along the way of my first Camino. Crossing oceans to make the pilgrimage is an investment in time, energy and funds. While my primary interest was to seek solace and comfort after the loss of someone very close and dear to me, I...
I was delighted to finally come upon a poster (first image) that explained the symbolisms of the cubes. With my new-found knowledge, they became more meaningful for me. The second image shows the yellow "passable" route follows the dirt road while the green "authentic/historical" route heads...
I took the path that avoids the highway walking out of Cáceres on my 2017 VDLP. It was a steep uphill climb, but that offered wonderful views of the city when you looked back on it.
The path, which begins at the large round-about outside of town, was not marked with yellow arrows. I only...
VDLP in May/June 2017 was HOT ( ! ), with bad fires beginning in Portugal and eventually on the Sanabrés. I passed through the Sanabrés before the fires entered, thankfully. I walked many days in 33°-35° heat with little shade and I was grateful for my silverUV Euroschirm that trecile brings...
June 8, 2017 (oops, a day late)
After arriving in Granja de Moreuela, I met a local gentleman who offered a tour of el Monasterio de Moreruela which is 3.5 km outside of town. No one else joined in with me :( - so I got a personal tour :).
Here are pics:
June 5, 2017
Took a day off from VDLP to walk a local romaría with la Virgen de la Concha, from Zamora to La Hiniesta to Ermita del Cristo de Valderrey and back. A lovely couple adopted me for the day. It was an impromptu and brilliant back-door experience!
I, too, on my 2014 Camino, was unaware that I was arriving in León the Friday before the final (big) weekend of the Fiesta de San Froilán. I had trouble booking a room in advance of my stay (I always plan 2 days in the big cities) but got one at the last minute; and then I realized why the...
Several years ago, we had the privilege of living in Spain followed by a time in Italy, and our daughter was the lovely age of 6-9 then. Our first day-after-Christmas in Spain, my daughter and I went to a large department store to make an exchange, and we were stopped in our tracks to see an...
I love my Smart Wool. When I come home after walking and even throughout the year, I try my best to clean them well to prolong their life (they're expensive). I place them in the washer on delicate cycle with Woolight Delicates Care - it comes in a 16 oz. bottle with a pink cap. The Woolight...
When picking up meds at the pharmacy before my walks, I request duplicate copies of the prescription labels (I explain that I'm traveling with a pack on my back..). I place those labels on tiny ziplock bags and that way, I don't have to carry plastic bottles AND I have the correct prescription...
I’ve only walked two caminos, both sola: the first being Camino Francés (where, as you know, you’re never really alone), and I’ve just returned home from walking VDLP / Camino Sanabres. But here’s my take:
On both caminos, I was quite certain no one had the patience to walk with me as I am a...
Thank you, Carel5, for sharing all the links. This looks like a really nice site, and I'll be referring to it during my walk. Best wishes for your walk next year.
I think fear of the unknown played largely into the concerns of my parents when I left to walk solo at age 54. I had my own fears of the unknown, but they dissipated rather quickly a couple days after jumping in. It was at this point when I realized I needed to order a copy of the Brierley's...
James Michener's book, Iberia, is a wonderful read and you don't have to start at page 1 and finish through page 795. You can look in the Index for the city, region, event, topic you're interested in and then read his (now historical) observations. Published in 1968, his observations are of an...
This site is run by Ivar at in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon