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We are leaving Sunday with COVID tests packed for our return to the US in early October. American Airlines sent info including a Galician form we'll need to enter the province. The Spanish Health app is ready to go with the final part filled in 48 hours before we leave.
If anything, this has...
I was a hospitalero in Ribadiso in September of 2019. We saw a dramatic decrease in pilgrims the last week in September.
My pilgrim friend and I walked the Frances in 2017 and booked each night from Sarria on since we are slow walkers. It all worked out well. More planning but peace of mind-
We stayed in Ordes two nights at Hostel Nogales. We cabbed each night and didn’t even try albergues because they are small and we were slow and finished later in the pm. We met Maria the cab driver through Begonia, the desk clerk at Hotel Garralos in Betanzos. Maria is fabulous! She showed...
The stupidest thing I ever did was rush to leave St Jean. Minneapolis to Paris, trains to Biarritz and cab to St Jean without rest- up 36 hours, slept 6 hours in St Jean and headed up the hill without much to eat. I was 56 years old at the time and thought I was going to die before reaching...
My Pillow has a small travel size that weighs next to nothing and packs into a small stuff sack. I use it both on the plane and every night - regardless if I have an albergue pillow or not. The blow up ones aren’t comfortable - at least for me. It’s important enough for me to add it to my...
The Parador in Ferrol is a good deal. It’s in the middle of the Arsenal area. Wonderful service from the front desk and a lovely outdoor patio where you can ring for service and enjoy a cocktail.
I don’t make resolutions but I start with a question. It’s tucked away during my time on the trail (I don’t dwell on it) and I have reached clarity each time - either in Spain or when I return home.
I had my bank put a new low daily limit on cash withdrawals ($100 euro). And I don’t have withdrawal pins on my credit cards so I can’t use them at atms - only for purchases. I have a paypal account tied to my bank so my family could send money if this happened.
On our first camino we had...
After my first Camino, I went home and took 3 garbage bags of clothing to Good Will. I’ve been a minimalist ever since and it’s been transformational. Second Camino took 5 minutes to pack. I am moving to a hiking dress so I can eliminate some more clothes in my pack for my next one this fall...
Remember jet lag and if you give yourself a rest day before you start. I did neither and thought I was going to die! I had been up 36 hours with a 9 hour time difference and little sleep in St Jean (lost my wax earplugs). Orisson was a godsend and I slept 5 hours before dinner. The next day...
Men’s boxers are the way to go for women too! Ultra lightweight and there is way more air circulation than women’s briefs. Black with the 6” inseam and it looks like bike shorts - great with my hiking skirt-
Thank you for the deep insights. All people on journeys need the energy of the Universe to push on. There are many souls in poverty on the Camino too. Each knows their own desolation as we carry our baggage and wrestle with the past and hope for a new future to emerge. Godspeed to all -
And when facing a steep hill, count 25 steps and stop. Look behind you and the view is always stunning. Then face forward and walk 25 more. You will always make it. Nothing is insurmountable -
I was there last spring and there was a group of Downs Syndrome young adults from Valencia that took up the majority of beds in the albergue. The owners were so gracious and the group was amazing. What a way to start another Camino with people who's special needs made them so open to...
It was the one place where I wouldn’t take a shower Luckily it wasn’t a hot day-
The food was plunked on my plate and had no flavor. The front desk man sneered and wouldn’t speak to us. Internet was only in the lobby. The pilgrim mass was wonderful and the bar next door a winner. Couldn’t...
Close to Santiago on the way in from Finisterre. It actually looked kinda cool. There’s worse defacing outside of Sarria on the 100km marker and the one saying “Jesus didn’t start in Sarria.”
Samos! Beautiful forest walk and you come in to town high above the Monastery. Enjoy the quiet before you get to Sarria - it’ll be the last of it for awhile -
I have had painted nails as long as I can remember. I absolutely agree on the callous issue but compromise on the polish by using a very light translucent barely pink. Also I know after two caminos which toes have skin that don’t mind their manners and routinely blister. Prophylactic Compeed...
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