Hi Everyone,
Well, it's been almost a month since Michele and I arrived in SdC at the end of our Camino and we can't tell you how much we loved it!
We flew into Madrid (via Heathrow) and took the train into Leon. Other than a little hiccup in Heathrow (snowstorm in JFK that made lots of flights late) our transportation was very easy and relaxing. We arrived in the BEAUTIFUL city of Leon and stayed there for two days just exploring the City and getting used to the time difference. We decided to stay at the Parador de Leon because we're both crazy for old architecture and the fact that the Camino runs right in front of it. How easy is that?!
We started walking on March 5th (Michele's birthday) and arrived in SdC on March 19th. During that time we saw no rain whatsoever: Not even a drop! The sky was blue and free of clouds for the majority of our walk. Morning temps were 5 degrees Celsius or so and the warmest we saw was a sign saying 24 degrees! In March! We had packed for the season and were prepared to have to skip O' Cebriero because the climb may have been closed due to the weather. We were very happy to have had sunshine and warm weather during our ascent and descent.
During our Camino we stayed at a mix of municipal albergues, private albergues, hostals, pensions, and hotels. They were all great! Usually there were only a few pilgrims with us during our stay. Everyone that we met was very friendly and quick to help with advice and to share a story of their walk. The towns/hamlets that we stayed in were all so amazing. We speak a small amount of Spanish but had no problem getting our point across and receiving other peoples points in the restaurants and lodgings that we chose. Breakfast was something light with a cafe con leche, lunch was a bocadillo, and for dinner we usually ate the Pilgrims Menu. We were happy with the Pilgrims Menu in most of the restaurants we tried. Large salads, some sort of meat (usually loin), and vino tinto.
The trail was in great shape. I was surprised sometimes as to just where the trail goes. At one point the Camino goes down someones driveway between their house and garage. It felt like we were trespassing until we saw a booklet, a small area with a bench to rest, and some water in their garage. The water was for Pilgrims and the book was to sign in to say hello. Nice! Litter was minimal until we got closer to SdC. Honestly, I was disappointed with the amount of graffiti on the trail. I really dislike graffiti and seeing it makes me angry. "Bob, meet us in the square!" was written in black felt marker on someone's garage door. Really?? Had we seen someone doing this I would've forgotten about the sanctity of our Camino and probably throttled him.
Our arrival at SdC came too soon. We were lucky to have a bagpiper serenade us as we walked through the tunnel leading to Obradoiro Square. When we arrived in the square we were surprised to see TV cameras and reporters waiting for us! Do they interview all pilgrims? This was not expected! We started to primp ourselves in anticipation for our interview but as it turns out, Paulo Coelho was in the square and the cameras were for him. Oh well, I hadn't shaved for two weeks anyways so it was probably for the better.
SdC is an AMAZING city with lots to see and do. We spent three days there, attended the Pilgrims Mass twice (saw the Botofumiero Ceremony!), got to meet Nate from the Pilgrim House (great guy!), and popped in see Ivar but his office was closed. We really wanted to tell him how much we appreciated his efforts with this amazing forum.
Our trip home was fun too. We took the overnight train from SdC to Madrid and flew home through Stansted. Again, the flights and train were very easy and relaxing. We decided to get a private cabin on the train. We slept in fold out beds for most of the nine hour trip, showered in the morning, and arrived in Madrid ready to go. It was a great experience!
As we look back on it, we think about all the hours that went into planning and worrying, packing and repacking... we realized that, in the end, it's just as the veteran walkers say: "Try not to worry, the Camino will provide." Well, they're certainly correct.
A big "Thank You!" has to go out to the members of this forum who are so willing to answer questions from us newbies. I was watching 50 or so threads during the planning stages prior to our walk. I gleaned a ton of useful information from this site.
We met some amazing people, we gazed upon amazing vistas, and ate and drank some amazing food and wine. It really was a wonderful experience, we can't believe it's over.
Ron & Michele
Well, it's been almost a month since Michele and I arrived in SdC at the end of our Camino and we can't tell you how much we loved it!
We flew into Madrid (via Heathrow) and took the train into Leon. Other than a little hiccup in Heathrow (snowstorm in JFK that made lots of flights late) our transportation was very easy and relaxing. We arrived in the BEAUTIFUL city of Leon and stayed there for two days just exploring the City and getting used to the time difference. We decided to stay at the Parador de Leon because we're both crazy for old architecture and the fact that the Camino runs right in front of it. How easy is that?!
We started walking on March 5th (Michele's birthday) and arrived in SdC on March 19th. During that time we saw no rain whatsoever: Not even a drop! The sky was blue and free of clouds for the majority of our walk. Morning temps were 5 degrees Celsius or so and the warmest we saw was a sign saying 24 degrees! In March! We had packed for the season and were prepared to have to skip O' Cebriero because the climb may have been closed due to the weather. We were very happy to have had sunshine and warm weather during our ascent and descent.
During our Camino we stayed at a mix of municipal albergues, private albergues, hostals, pensions, and hotels. They were all great! Usually there were only a few pilgrims with us during our stay. Everyone that we met was very friendly and quick to help with advice and to share a story of their walk. The towns/hamlets that we stayed in were all so amazing. We speak a small amount of Spanish but had no problem getting our point across and receiving other peoples points in the restaurants and lodgings that we chose. Breakfast was something light with a cafe con leche, lunch was a bocadillo, and for dinner we usually ate the Pilgrims Menu. We were happy with the Pilgrims Menu in most of the restaurants we tried. Large salads, some sort of meat (usually loin), and vino tinto.
The trail was in great shape. I was surprised sometimes as to just where the trail goes. At one point the Camino goes down someones driveway between their house and garage. It felt like we were trespassing until we saw a booklet, a small area with a bench to rest, and some water in their garage. The water was for Pilgrims and the book was to sign in to say hello. Nice! Litter was minimal until we got closer to SdC. Honestly, I was disappointed with the amount of graffiti on the trail. I really dislike graffiti and seeing it makes me angry. "Bob, meet us in the square!" was written in black felt marker on someone's garage door. Really?? Had we seen someone doing this I would've forgotten about the sanctity of our Camino and probably throttled him.
Our arrival at SdC came too soon. We were lucky to have a bagpiper serenade us as we walked through the tunnel leading to Obradoiro Square. When we arrived in the square we were surprised to see TV cameras and reporters waiting for us! Do they interview all pilgrims? This was not expected! We started to primp ourselves in anticipation for our interview but as it turns out, Paulo Coelho was in the square and the cameras were for him. Oh well, I hadn't shaved for two weeks anyways so it was probably for the better.
SdC is an AMAZING city with lots to see and do. We spent three days there, attended the Pilgrims Mass twice (saw the Botofumiero Ceremony!), got to meet Nate from the Pilgrim House (great guy!), and popped in see Ivar but his office was closed. We really wanted to tell him how much we appreciated his efforts with this amazing forum.
Our trip home was fun too. We took the overnight train from SdC to Madrid and flew home through Stansted. Again, the flights and train were very easy and relaxing. We decided to get a private cabin on the train. We slept in fold out beds for most of the nine hour trip, showered in the morning, and arrived in Madrid ready to go. It was a great experience!
As we look back on it, we think about all the hours that went into planning and worrying, packing and repacking... we realized that, in the end, it's just as the veteran walkers say: "Try not to worry, the Camino will provide." Well, they're certainly correct.
A big "Thank You!" has to go out to the members of this forum who are so willing to answer questions from us newbies. I was watching 50 or so threads during the planning stages prior to our walk. I gleaned a ton of useful information from this site.
We met some amazing people, we gazed upon amazing vistas, and ate and drank some amazing food and wine. It really was a wonderful experience, we can't believe it's over.
Ron & Michele