I suppose it was meant as a test, a test of how much I really wanted to walk the Camino Primitivo; the oldest of the medieval pilgrimage roads across northern Spain. I think I passed, but maybe there’s more than a few losing elements to this story. I arrived in Madrid mid-morning on Monday, with […]
Tag: caminodesantiago
Random Tips from “Buen Camino!”
Finding your boots – once you arrive at an albergue, you will be asked to remove your boots and leave your hiking poles inside the door, not bringing them into the dormitory. I have seen the horrified look of someone who had another pilgrim mistakenly pick up her boots. It’s not something you ever want […]
Buen Camino! Tips from an American Pilgrim
New BOOK Notice! Not a guidebook, no maps, no long-winded legends or history – just lots of stories and helpful suggestions to anyone planning their first Camino or just waiting to go back. Geared toward American Pilgrims, this book is a must-have, must-read. It’s the perfect companion to your standard guidebooks, like John Brierley, the […]
Back at The Abbey
What a treat and such a gift to be able to volunteer again just for the day at The Abbey. This beautiful property is right on the Camino and I was able to greet dozens of pilgrims today – in English, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, and French! It’s so fabulous to speak even a few […]
Having the Cathedral All to Myself in Oviedo
After I had walked from Burgos to León in 2016, I decided to add a few side trips to visit some friends and my daughter who lives in the U.K. Seeing the Cathedral of San Salvador in Oviedo was important to me ever since I took a class in Muslim history at Columbia. When I […]
Industrial Chic on the Way to León
The Camino into León is so industrial that many pilgrims just opt to take the bus or a taxi on this stage. I walked happily because I love watching small towns in action: the flower shop getting deliveries, local guys catching up outside a car repair place, or the smell of fresh bread from the […]
Industrial Chic on the Way to León
The Camino into León is so industrial that many pilgrims just opt to take the bus or a taxi on this stage. I walked happily because I love watching small towns in action: the flower shop getting deliveries, local guys catching up outside a car repair place, or the smell of fresh bread from the […]
Eating on Sunday in Mansilla de las Mulas
Forget that I walked into town on Pentecost Sunday and found myself facing their procession from Mass. Forget that I watched women in traditional costumes dance in the street with castanets. Forget too that the sunset over the tower of the church is particularly wonderful. Yes, forget all that because, ham. That was my lunch. […]
Flowers Everywhere in El Burgo Ranero
I heard it was some Spanish federation that planted wild flowers along the Camino. If that’s true, muchísimas gracias! They are lovely.
The Big Sky and Sahagún
There’s really very little to say about this when you’ve got 360 degree sky keeping you company. I walked for nearly 7 hours today and it was the sky that held my attention. And then this: the San Tirso church in Sahagún, the official halfway mark on the Camino Frances. 13th century stone, set against […]
Tumbleweed Pilgrim 