LIVE from the Camino Sarria to Santiago winter Camino

[ElleP]

Thank you for sharing your Winter Camino story with us. I enjoyed every step. And with the temperatures hit -30C in my neck of the woods, I am remembering my journey and planning my next. Congratulations!

 

[VNwalking]

The tears may be about something other than missing home, but hardly surprising. Madrid's a big place, and a bit overwhelming after being in a camino bubble. Well done Janet, for keeping your cool, and coping!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

That post camino funk is real-I sympathize with the crying pilgrim. That's totally me after a camino.

Heck yes. The Camino blues are harsh.

 

[nycwalking]

Thank you so much for sharing.

Travel home in a safe and timely manner.

Buen camino.

 

[J Willhaus]

Ok, the last parcel has been stuffed in and extra suitcases bought...

We ended with a trip to the Reina Sophia to see the Picasso work Guernica and also to look at other famous artworks. I also love how many of the exhibits tell a story of Spain.

Last night we had a big dinner at the Nubel restaurant which is part of the museum complex. Lots of good food which also looks like art. The student loved the music and the vibe. Desserts were perhaps the biggest works of art.


I was up at 2:30 to walk a student to the Airport Express. Then again at 5 am. I have 2 more going at 7 am. The rest of us will take a cab at 9:30. I will take the bus if if there is not enough room for everyone in a cab.

Phil had his dog sled trip earlier and it was -33 F or -36 C. He had 4 layers of wool.plus a layer of down.

We'll see each other tonight and spend the night in Denver before heading to Laramie tomorrow.

 

[J Willhaus]

I don't love cities. Madrid is ok. Students did a lot here is a brief period of time. Shopping plus 2 museums for some. Eating and walking. M. walked over 10 miles in town yesterday with groups of students. We did take the Metro home from the restaurant though. First time all day anyone tried it. I think they were nervous, but with me and my Metro card, they could take on the challenge.

Getting into the museum was interesting. 2 other professors with groups ahead of me were yelled at by the ticket lady. One group was denied entrance. Fortunately I had everything right and she glanced at my paperwork. Punched in a few numbers and gave me the passes. We had to wear little green stickers which identified us as a group.

No crying today, but one student changed her flight to go home with us today. She has diarrhea which didn't resolve itself from Santiago. She's flying with imodium on board. She had intended to see the Alhambra today and go home tomorrow.

 

[MARSKA]

Oh Janet!!!! What a STUPENDOUS feat. I have followed with great interest. congratulations! And all of your students are better human beings for the experience. Well done. Well done.

 

[MARSKA]

YOU have given them a bigger world.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Such an interesting journey and thread, Janet. “Live from the Camino” it certainly was. Safe journey home.

 

[Kirkie]

Oh, poor 'dare i ask rita run home or eat apples'. The fun way I discovered, using the words of the ladies I was 'teaching' to learn how to spell that word that describes terrifying distress if needing to fly...or to explain to the teacher why the child was not in school.
No need to tell about her journey, let us hope immodium worked a miracle.

 

[J Willhaus]

The tears may be about something other than missing home, but hardly surprising. Madrid's a big place, and a bit overwhelming after being in a camino bubble. Well done Janet, for keeping your cool, and coping!

It is a little irritating to me. I am a pretty straightforward person and raised only sons who grunted periodically. I just try to be neutral although still disappointing no one liked pulpo (trying to let that go--really) and I really hate it when people are not on time.

 

[VNwalking]

still disappointing no one liked pulpo (trying to let that go--really)

Trying not to chuckle, because disappointment sucks. But not all of us like it. Which means more for you, right?

Next time subject them to pimentos de Padron instead.

 

[Robo]

yes. I think the difference may be to how they cook it. Grill, or fried or boiled. Maybe you've seen that guy in Melide in the window at the restaurant. He presents a full on boiled octopus as you approach, that's where I didn't like it.

That's where I first had it. Boiled rubber with Paprika! I left it.

I have since had it in other places and quite liked it.

 

[Robo]

What an amazing trip @J Willhaus ! Well done.
I'm sure you have helped to not only enhance but change a few lives

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, they ate all the peppers, fries, croquettes, zamburinas, everything but the pulpo... My fault, I should have gotten a smaller racion.

 

[BarbaraW]

Thank you for your posts, which have been my morning "go to". I'd be fascinated to know whether it was first time overseas for most of your students - that in itself is a huge thing to have facilitated. And would love to have your reflections on the whole experience once you are home for a while and free of the immediate responsibilities for them.

Safe homecoming.

 

[J Willhaus]

Some a first time and others had traveled with family or a Study Abroad trip again.

 

[J Willhaus]

We are in Charlotte waiting to transfer to Denver. I had thrown away my celery sticks, but forgot my peanuts, walnuts, baby bell cheese in my snack bag and the customs lady with the beagle caught up to me and wanted a full accounting of what I had. She did let me go on with my snacks with a warning.

 

[J Willhaus]

Phil is delayed in both Fairbanks and Seattle. Hope to see him later tonight.

Our flight was pretty rough. One student threw up and got yelled at by the flight attendant. Unfortunate.

Those flight attendants need a Camino. Very uptight and crabby bunch on this flight.

 

[dreaming]

Hi Janet, i am not surprised you forgot your snacks. You must be shattered. I felt exhausted just reading about how many times you got up to take your students to the airport bus. Enjoy your rest.

 

[peregrina2000]

Phil is delayed in both Fairbanks and Seattle. Hope to see him later tonight.

Our flight was pretty rough. One student threw up and got yelled at by the flight attendant. Unfortunate.

Those flight attendants need a Camino. Very uptight and crabby bunch on this flight.

Today was a bad weather day to be crossing the United States, and I’m sure the North Atlantic wasn’t too much fun either.

Thanks for taking us along - maybe now that you’re going to retire, you could organize caminos for frazzled flight attendants.

 

[J Willhaus]

Ok, in Denver waiting for Phil. Its -14 C or 7 degrees F with much colder wind chill and blowing snow showers. We have a park and fly hotel near the airport and will dig the pickup out in the morning for the trip home. I am encouraging him to take a taxi instead of waiting on the airport shuttle out on island #4 in this dangerous cold although I think he is dressed for it coming from Alaska. M.'S family picked us up and dropped me at the hotel where I am enjoying my first gin and tonic of the journey in front of a fireplace.

Winter Camino temps got nothin' on a good Rocky Mt winter!

 

[Kirkie]

Ok, in Denver waiting for Phil. Its -14 C or 7 degrees F with much colder wind chill and blowing snow showers. We have a park and fly hotel near the airport and will dig the pickup out in the morning for the trip home. I am encouraging him to take a taxi instead of waiting on the airport shuttle out on island #4 in this dangerous cold although I think he is dressed for it coming from Alaska. M.'S family picked us up and dropped me at the hotel where I am enjoying my first gin and tonic of the journey in front of a fireplace.

Winter Camino temps got nothin' on a good Rocky Mt winter!

 

[truenorthpilgrm]

One student threw up and got yelled at by the flight attendant. Unfortunate.

Oh dear, not fun. On my British Airways flight to Madrid last year from San Francisco, I had the good misfortune to be seated amongst a sassy crew of Italian teenagers, mostly 17/18 year olds. As the drinking age is 18 in the UK/EU, each teen was allowed ONE alcoholic drink. The flight attendants were very strict about asking the adult chaperones who did and did not make the age cut off.

One young woman, not of legal age, tried to finagle her way into getting a drink. When caught, she threw a snit, and was sharply reprimanded by the stern flight attendant with a no-nonsense London accent. It was pretty funny to watch.

 

[J Willhaus]

This one wasn't drinking. It was a rough flight and landing...I sympathize as I also get motion sick, but managed to sleep my way through the rough air.

BTW: We are home in Laramie where the high here today was -1 F or -18.3 C. Some slick and ice roads and we saw several accidents along the way, but we are home safely. Phil had a great time on his trip, too.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Thank you so much for your reports!
I enjoyed them very much and I hail you for your patience...
Taking a group of people can be trying :::: but you have shown them a world much larger than the one they began with. What a wonderful experience for them!
Welcome Home!

 

[Kirkie]

This one wasn't drinking. It was a rough flight and landing...I sympathize as I also get motion sick, but managed to sleep my way through the rough air.

BTW: We are home in Laramie where the high here today was -1 F or -18.3 C. Some slick and ice roads and we saw several accidents along the way, but we are home safely. Phil had a great time on his trip, too.

Photos, Phil?

 

[J Willhaus]

Photos, Phil?

I will encourage him to post some on the "where did you walk" thread. He has some good ones, but with his remote location they didn't load to our cloud storage until he got home.

 

[Kirkie]

I will encourage him to pitch some on the where did you walk thread. He has some good ones, but with his remote location they didn't load to our cloud storage until he got home.

Thanks for update. You both need time to catch up. I was watching weather at the times of your return trips, glad no serious uosets. I hope you have time to breathe now!

 

[J Willhaus]

Thanks for update. You both need time to catch up. I was watching weather at the times of your return trips, glad no serious uosets. I hope you have time to breathe now!

Sadly, no. A colleague is taking medical leave and I have to have her course for 28 grad students ready to open Tuesday as I am taking over. My last semester of teaching so it will be a bit of a push to get at least the first couple of weeks on the course posted and ready. Its a course on Advanced Nursing Leadership. I taught it a few years ago, but we have had some curricular changes so it is a little different now. I will manage.. I am the director of this program so I finished updating my original Nursing Curriculum Development course before my Camino and handed it off to a friend who adjuncts for us.

Its a busy next 2 weeks and I am also presenting at a conference in San Diego next Sunday afternoon. Phil and I will enjoy a little sun after this upcoming week in the deep freeze!

As for Phil, there's laundry to be done and his Spanish 2 class starts on Tuesday. I am proud to say he got an A in Spanish 1. All the other students could be our grandchildren and maybe the teacher, too, but he's hanging in there at 73.

 

[SantiagoCruzB]

Sadly, no. A colleague is taking medical leave and I have to have her course for 28 grad students ready to open Tuesday as I am taking over. My last semester of teaching so it will be a bit of a push to get at least the first couple of weeks on the course posted and ready. Its a course on Advanced Nursing Leadership. I taught it a few years ago, but we have had some curricular changes so it is a little different now. I will manage.. I am the director of this program so I finished updating my original Nursing Curriculum Development course before my Camino and handed it off to a friend who adjuncts for us.

Its a busy next 2 weeks and I am also presenting at a conference in San Diego next Sunday afternoon. Phil and I will enjoy a little sun after this upcoming week in the deep freeze!

As for Phil, there's laundry to be done and his Spanish 2 class starts on Tuesday. I am proud to say he got an A in Spanish 1. All the other students could be our grandchildren and maybe the teacher, too, but he's hanging in there at 73.

@J Wilhaus, Congrats and more power to you . Congrats to Phil as well, Spanish is a beautiful language to learn at any age especially for an English speaker

 

[SDJunkMan]

J Willhaus,

Thanks for the account of your trip, I enjoyed reading it.

I hope to do the Frances from St Jean this summer and like to see peoples feedback about albergues and restaurants. I notice you seem to like the Xunta albergues, are they usually a good choice? I will be watching my budget, am hoping to avoid reservations as much as possible. The fact that they don't accept reservations makes me think I may end up using them quite often.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[J Willhaus]

J Willhaus,

Thanks for the account of your trip, I enjoyed reading it.

I hope to do the Frances from St Jean this summer and like to see peoples feedback about albergues and restaurants. I notice you seem to like the Xunta albergues, are they usually a good choice? I will be watching my budget, am hoping to avoid reservations as much as possible. The fact that they don't accept reservations makes me think I may end up using them quite often.

Thanks,
Jeff

Xunta albergues agreat choice budget wise once you reach O'Cebrerio in Galicia. Otherwise choose municipal, association, or parish albergues along the way. Some are donation-based so give what you would accordingly for other places you have stayed.

 

[J Willhaus]

Finishing up some treats for today's Study Abroad wrap up session. We'll watch 6 Ways to Santiago and then have a final debrief. Using questions from the guide they use at Pilgrim House.

I am disappointed that 2 won't make today's session. It wasn't possible to get all 9 students who represent 4 different programs and levels of nursing to find a common time.

I'll let you know how it goes...

 

[J Willhaus]

Small group. We watched the movie and discussed how we related or did not relate to some of the pilgrims and their experiences and issues. Interestingly, I think only person in our group got a blister. We wrapped up discussing the course structure a bit and students gave M. some ideas for next year's course.

 

[MARSKA]

So, J, anything to share about how they did or did not relate to the movie?
Being a nurse, I am SO interested in the effect the camino has had on your students.
Bless you for all your efforts!!!!!!

 

[MARSKA]

I kinda think it will be a loss to the Nursing profession for you to retire .... but very good for you.

 

[J Willhaus]

So, J, anything to share about how they did or did not relate to the movie?
Being a nurse, I am SO interested in the effect the camino has had on your students.
Bless you for all your efforts!!!!!!

Well, none of them could relate to Tatiana, the mother of the 3 year old. One is a mother of a 7 year old and she said he does not enjoy walking st all.

I think a few of them could relate to those who had packs, too big. One said she would take poles if she was doing it again

Our Camino was much shorter of course and one wants to go back for longer. They enjoyed the two "shared meals" we had more than our restaurant meals. They remarked on the siesta which was both good and bad. Good because people were taking more time to get lunch and be with family and friends. Bad because it was inconvenient.

One said she had more self-confidence now and another said she finds herself walking more places instead of driving. Mostly they said they were more grateful now for their own spaces with private bathrooms and a big towel.

Doing it differently-- don't take so much stuff. Take a sleeping bag that was less warm even in the winter (one got sweaty in her bag designed for Wyoming winters).

Doing it the same: yes, go in the winter!

They all loved the coffee con leche and one has already bought herself an expresso machine. She is using cafe busto brand coffee which is about the closest to Spanish coffee we have in this area. Everyone else quickly made a note to run to Walmart to get both machine and coffee.