Episode 25 - The Camino Francés, Part 4

[Dave]

Let's re-walk the Camino Francés together! Whereas many of the pilgrim interviews on the podcast take a thematic approach, focusing on a few big picture issues, this series of episodes will dig more into the specifics of walking. Today's episode focuses on the glorious return to the mountains. After a week or so spent in the flatter meseta, this section of the Camino Francés, connecting León and O Cebreiro, involves two significant ascents with a stroll through the Bierzo valley in between. Rod Hoekstra of Seattle shares some stories on the León-Foncebadón stages, including a notable visit to a private museum in Villar de Mazarife. Bob Scheidt of Hoodstown, PA picks up the narrative from there, bringing his extensive experience as a walker and adventurer to bear on the walk onward to O Cebreiro.

 

[ivar]

Great episode!

 

[J Willhaus]

Again so interesting how some experiences are the same and also different. We stayed in Virgin del Camino and so enjoyed the Mass at the church where all the Brothers came in singing and each had a part in the service. Also loved sitting outside nearby and watching afterwards and it was to apparent that they were a part of the community. We also had a lovely lunch experience in this town. We ate at a bar near the church where the owner was also catering at the local swimming pool. He had a young waiter who had studied in England for 4 months during school who made us feel very welcome. When the waiter and owner had to make a delivery over at the swimming pool, the owner left his two adolescent boys in charge of us. They used their phones to translate and you could hear them arguing in the kitchen in Spanish--one was going to tell Pappa if the other did something wrong, etc.--but when they came out to see us they were all business. It is a wonderful memory.