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  1. Shells

    Camino Ingles - how immersive an experience have you found it?

    The Ingles was my first Camino. I did no research, no training, and had no expectations, beyond thinking it would be an adventure and give me time to finally figure out what I should have said and done differently, during one of the worst years of my life. The reality was a little different: I...
  2. Shells

    Path just before Maneru

    I don't think it adds much real distance, but it is much more rustic and difficult underfoot--it was a true trail; at times, it was a real scramble and I sank deep into the mud in a couple of places. The ruins of the Monasterio Bogota looked pretty much like a pile of rubble to me, but I didn't...
  3. Shells

    Path just before Maneru

    I took this path through serendipity. Other peregrinos were sitting on the way marker, so I missed the upper part, which must have indicated the main route, and saw only the bottom part, with the arrow pointing to the detour. That day was very hot, +95F, with high humidity and the senda leads...
  4. Shells

    Sun Sleeves?

    I wore sun sleeves and loved them. They were recommended to me by a ranger friend from the Grand Canyon and was so glad that I took her advice. I bought mine at REI (REI brand). As others have said, they were fitted at the top with a grip fabric band and I had no issues with them falling down. I...
  5. Shells

    Food to bring to Spanish friend from US

    In Spain, I’ve had trouble finding hard candy (which I like to pop in my mouth for a quick carb fix). A few places carry Werthers, but that’s about it. So I would suggest Lifesavers, butterscotch pieces, Jolly Ranchers, etc.
  6. Shells

    Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo

    Thank you so much for your suggestions. I’m only walking from Ponferrada this year, ( I wish I were walking from St Jean again), but am so grateful for to be going back at all. Anyway, I saw Castillo del Saracen from a distance as I was walking last year and was fascinated! Also, I somehow...
  7. Shells

    Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo

    Oh, please let me know what it’s like! I ended up deciding to pass on Carracedo because the website says that it’s closed on Monday, which is the day we’ll be the vicinity. So now I have another reason to go back!
  8. Shells

    Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo

    Thank you so much! I will take a look and really appreciate your suggestion!
  9. Shells

    Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo

    Hi Chris—I didn’t receive any responses to my question about Carracedo. I did look it up online: https://www.turismocastillayleon.com/es/arte-cultura-patrimonio/monasterios/monasterio-santa-maria-carracedo. It looks beautiful and appears to have a museum about its history and monastic life. I...
  10. Shells

    Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo

    I had to laugh about the 65+ ladies, and, yes, they are AGED 65+! I appreciate the warning on the steepness, as one of “my” ladies has a heart condition and I am already planning to avoid the most challenging ascents (such as the walk up O Cebreiro).
  11. Shells

    Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo

    Thank you—your pictures are stunning
  12. Shells

    Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo

    Thank you! We will look forward to seeing this!
  13. Shells

    Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo

    Thanks so much—sounds wonderful!
  14. Shells

    Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo

    Hi All—has anyone detoured to the Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo, about 3 km south of Cacabelos? Is it worth the detour? Is it confusing to get from the Monasterio back to Cacabelos, since I understand it doesn’t have Camino way marks? If walking on a road is involved, is the road busy...
  15. Shells

    How the Camino can change your life: Personal experiences and expectations

    Dear Marska—thank you! When I read your words, it was like reading my own thoughts…what a strange feeling…
  16. Shells

    How the Camino can change your life: Personal experiences and expectations

    Hi there—my own experience is that you may not be able to help having expectations or hopes, but you may receive something you didn’t expect at all. I can only tell you what happened to me: In the space of six months, four of my family members, including my dear mother and unborn...
  17. Shells

    Tell me what I need to know

    One of the best pieces of advice I received came from the host of a small inn near the beginning of my walk on the Camino Frances. He said, “It is better to start as an old person, going slowly, in order to arrive in Santiago as a young person, rather than starting like a young person, going...
  18. Shells

    Staying motivated between Caminos

    I’m having the same issue! I returned from walking the Frances in October and have only taken one significant walk since then. With the Montana wind and cold, bears still semi-active (even seen on the streets of my small town), especially in the early morning (which is my favorite time to walk)...
  19. Shells

    Dealing with Vertigo: Seeking Solutions for Balance Issues

    Hi Paladina—my balance isn’t what it used to be, but I was able to successfully walk the Frances a month ago and found a few things helpful: About 4 months before I left, I enrolled in Classical Pilates 2X/week, with an emphasis on building core strength and increasing balance. My instructor...
  20. Shells

    WARNING if you're leaving Sarria tomorrow (4th October 2023) ⚠️.

    Hi John—you have no idea how much I have appreciated your support. I am done with this Camino, but as was said at the Pilgrim Mass, “re-entering the Camino of my life.” In so many ways, this has been like a pause between breaths, or the silence between heartbeats—just a moment for me to slow...

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