Day 10 & 11 Burgos

Arrived in Burgos, a city of 145,000, and thought how beautiful this city would be in the summer. Yes, it is still cold, windy and rainy but this city has so much to see. We started at the Castillo or castle which was the original city built in 884. North Battleford is celebrating its 100th birthday and Burgos is how old??? Yes, it's time to do the Math. Since the castle is on a high hill, you could see the entire city.

There was so much to see. There are state-of-the-art imuseums (very modern) and a world heritage cathedral. We even took a tour of the city in a "mini-train". The cold weather did not stop us from walking the passeo and looking at all the shops, restaurants and pastries. A great rest stop buy it is back to walking the Camino tomorrow.

This is a planner I used to help me plan the trip. Click on Burgos and see how many kms we have left to walk.

http://www.godesalco.com/plan/frances

Do you think we can make it??

Buen Camino

Day 9. Belorado to Villafranca Montes de Oca

Snow, rain, mud, sunshine, then more snow and rain. I almost thought I was in Saskatchewan. The weather constantly changed today. It was difficult dealing with the mud but everything else was fine. We were dressed in rain gear and kept warm. We stopped early today. I hope the weather is better when we are in Burgos. You should check the weather for me for next week. Will it warm up soon?

Spain has Euros (photo 4) and it looks like Canadian money - very colourful!! The difference is all the bills are different sizes! There are several coins including a 1 & 2 euro coin, a 50, 20, 10, 5, & 1 cent coin. Lots of change is always in my pocket - which is heavy.

Math Problem:

Mrs. Town has 5 euros for lunch. Can she buy cafe for 1,50 and a boccadillo for 3,30. Does she have enough money. Can she buy a pastry at 70 cents for dessert??
How much Canadian money did I spend to buy 5 euros? Miss Town can help you find a converter to find the answer to the last question.

Buen Camino

Day 8. Santo Domingo - Belorado

The first day of our 2nd week and we woke up to rain. So we got out our rain gear and headed out of the city. We looked like a fat tomato and a plump grape. Luckily the rain didn't last long. But it was cloudy and damp all day.

Today's walk mostly followed the highway so it was not as tranquil as other days. However, the semis often honked as they passed and we would lift our hiking poles to acknowledge their greeting. It is their way to say "buen Camino". I love walking into a village in the morning because the locals going to the cafe or out for their morning walk always greet us with "bueno Dias, buen Camino." "Gracias," we say.

Rain really makes you think about your feet. You don't want them to get wet because blisters could occur. I have never looked at my feet so much as I do on this trip. We often pass people tending their feet. Many people have had to take days off or stop doing the Camino because of blisters or sores. If we care for our feet then can take us a long ways.

We are so use to planes, trains and automobiles taking us places that we don't think about traveling by foot. My feet are stronger everyday and I hope they can take me to Santiago. How strong are your feet and where will they take you?

Day 6 & 7

Viana to Azofra to Santo Domingo de Calzada

Two days of walking, one was windy and one was calm. Both were wonderful.

We are getting into a routine, a pattern of the day. Up around 7:00, walking at 8:00 - 8:30, and stopping at 3:00 - 3:30. In the morning we eat a small breakfast of fruit and yogurt but then we stop for coffee and croissants ( see photo). at the first town. Delicious!! Yes, they are "muy grande".

Lunch is a "picnic" on the road but there are many traditional resting places that are maintained. We were fortunate to come across this beehive hut, which provided shelter. When I entered I met 2 women from Germany, 1 from Holland and a man from Ireland. Can you find those places on a map?

Today was very calm but much warmer and there was this rest stop that had "cool" benches. Yes, they were " cool looking" and "cool to the touch". The class shell is resting on a bench while I fill my water bottles at the fountain.

Last night we stayed at Azofra, a town of 500 people which depends on the Camino for their existence. There are 2 small stores, 2 restaurants & 2 albergues. We stayed at the new municipal one which had 60 beds. There are 3 floors with 10 cubicles on each. ( See photo 4). We are in the very last room. The " cubicles" have 2 beds, 2 closets for backpack and stuff and a window/door that goes from the floor to the ceiling. You can let the breeze in or better yet hang wet socks on the slats. It all overlooks a spacious garden area that has a cold water pool to soak tired, sore, swollen feet. I got a great sleep.

At the albergue you can catch up with "old friends" like Helen from Kingston, ON and Emily from Pittsburg, PA and meet new friends like Hyru from Korea. Yes, it's time to get your maps out again. What is special, is that we have an instant bond because we are all pilgrims, all walking the Camino de Santiago. The people are so interesting.

Meet Martine, from Belgium (see last photo). In 2004 she walked from her hom to Santiago, 2040km. She walked by me, going in the opposite direction. "You are going the wrong way," I said. "No, this is the right way," she said. We stopped to visit and I so enjoyed this kind, wise, strong woman. She started in Santiago and is walking home to Belgium!! A very special lady and a very special day.

Day 5 April 24

Viana to Navarette 22.7km

The day was bright and sunny and it was a good day to walk. The 10 km to Logono went fast and before we knew it we were at the house of a special "guardian" of the Camino. For years, she has stamped pilgrims' passports with her "sello" and offers coffee and treats for a donation. She sells jewelry and souvenirs and greets pilgrims walking by her house. I asked if she would take a picture with me and I gave her one of my Canada pins.

We continued into the city of Logrono (145,000 people). It's a beautiful city with bridges, fountains, churches, museums, and parks. Too much to see and not enough time. As we walked through the city, we had to be careful to look for the signs. So many distractions in the city. People would say "hola" or "buenos dias" or " buen Camino". Even though we were careful, four times a very nice señora would stop and ask us if we were doing the Camino de Santiago. "Si" we would say. Then they would take our hand, turn us around and point to the right direction. FOUR TIMES!!!!! I guess we weren't watching very carefully for the Camino signs. The walk out of Logrono towards Navarette was great!

Day 3 and Day 4

I have had a busy two days. We walked 21 km on Sunday to Los Arcos. The trail was good and it seemed easy after 28km the day before. We ate lunch by a Fuentes ( fountain) that had a bench and a beautiful view. I had a boccadillo (sandwich) and a naranja (orange) that was left from breakfast.

As we were walking, we saw heard some people coming. See the picture below. They are not pilgrims but tourists on a tour. We were walking through a winery. How funny! I would like to do the Camino on that.

Arriving in Los Arcos we went to the plaza to have food - of course.

Los Arcos to Viana

We walked 18km today but I am tired. We passed into the province of Rioja today and the scenery is still beautiful. Everyone seemed tired on the road today. It was cloudy and there was a cold wind.

As I was going down the path there were 4 people sitting under a grove of trees eating lunch. I looked at my watch and it was noon so I decided to stop. I ate with Stefan from Germany, Kat from California, Wilma from Holland and Janny from Melborne. They were all walking the Camino alone. It was a wonderful lunch.

In Viana we stopped at a new albergue for a bed and after we talked the woman she called her sister who came to get us. Spanish was an issue again but we followed her to her place. We are staying at a Casa de Rural which is like a Bed and Breakfast. It is brand new and lovely. The couple who run it are very helpful.

Off to have supper!

BuenCamino

Day 2 April 20. Uterga to Estellla

Awaken at 6 AM, we were on the road early heading for Puenta la Reina. We stopped for desayuno and I had " cafe con leche and uno croissant con jamon y queso served caliente. It was delicious.

As we walked today, I sometimes felt I was in the farmlands of SK, or transported back in time as I crossed a 2000 year old Roman bridge or in a fairy tale when we would see a castle on a hill top. The day was bright and sunny and walking seemed easy. A lunch stop by a river eating food from our packs was a nice break

We arrived at Lorca, the place we had planned on staying, at 2 PM. It seemed too early to stop for the day and the next town was only 4 km and the next only 3 km. Before we knew it, we were in Estella, a city of 15,000. Being Saturday, the Plazas were filled with adults sitting at tables eating & drinking, children playing soccer in the square and teens chatting on the steps.

As we were walking down Calle Mayor We "bumped into" cinco (5) young girls who were all talking at once. "Hable Engles," I asked and they said "a little" so I proceeded in English "what is your name?" The first girl stood straighter and just like she was in school said slowly and clearly, "my name is Sereina." The next was Maria and then they were all talking at once. There was a little English, some Spanish, and a lot of 12 year old giggling and laughing!!! They were impressed that I was from Canada and said I spoke "very good" Spanish. What do you think of that Miss Town? After waves, "aidios" and "good-bye" we headed to our room for much needed sleep.

Day 1 Pamplona to Uterga

Here we go!

The Hotel Enslava, where we stayed last night, served breakfast. It was wonderful, a small dining room had tables with linen tablecloths and set elegantly. I ate lots!! I had toasted pan with queso and chorizo (sausage) cafe con leche, zumo de naranja, fruta ( kiwi & banana), and dos crosoints. Yeah. Peregrinos need to keep up their energy. I hope you had a good breakfast.

Leaving the hotel at 9:30 AM, we headed west out of Pamplona following the signs. Of course, we were talking and looking around and had to turn around and go back because we missed the signs. Once we were outside the city the path was clearer. The views were so beautiful we didn't mind the wind and cold.

We stopped at Zarriquiegui to eat the lunch we had packed and drink water . Now came the climb up Alto del Perdon. The wind almost knocked us off the top and it was very difficult to keep my iPod still but we tried to take pictures. From the top you could see all around you and the path that you just walked. Juan, the man in the picture, sells drinks and fruit to pilgrims. I bought an orange and had a visit. He lives in a very small village near the mountain and he explained the geography to me and pointed out towns. His English is better than my Spanish so we were able to understand each other. I gave him a pin of the Canadian flag and he posed for a picture. Very nice man!

Tonight we stay in our first albergue at Uterga. It cost 10 euros and the pilgrim meal is 12 euros. There are 16 beds in the sleeping room and it is about half full. Showers have been taken, laundry is done and blogging is done. Time for a nap. Remember, walking is hard work.

16 kilometres; 5.5 hours ( lots of stops for pictures)

Buen Camino

Too many beautiful pics to post them all but here are some.

Following the Way

Walking the Camino, or the Way, has certain traditions or "rules" that should be followed. First we needed to get a credential or "Pilgrim's Passport". This allows you to stay at albergues which are cheaper than hotels. Most restaurants have a pilgrims meal which is 10 - 12 euros and is three courses: primo, secondo or entre, and a postres. There is also bread and a drink but they ask to see the pilgrim passport. Every place we stop to sleep we get a "sello" in the passport. When we get to Santiago we will show our passport at the Camino office and if it is approved we will get a "compostella." Yes, just like school there is a grading system ( lol ).

When we walk the Camino we find many signs to show the way. Posted are pictures of the different signs that will tell us we were on the right path.

You'll notice there is a shell on my backpack. The shell is a symbol of the Camino and it is for the 3/4 class - a symbol of you doing the trip with me. When you see the shell on a picture it symbolizes the whole class doing the Camino with me. When I return to NB, I will give you the shell for your classroom.

We start on Friday.

Buen Camino
Mrs. Town

Questions from Grade 3/4

Miss Town said you would have lots of questions but 5 on the first day. So I have some time tonight and I thought I would answer some.

1. What types of things made the cut?

2 pair of hiking pants, 3 shirts, 1 pullover, jacket, rain gear, mitts, hat, hiking shoes/ sandals, flip-flops for the shower, and then kits that I put on zip lock bags. The kits are:
Electronics - cords, chargers...
First Aid - band aids, cream for blisters, medications...
Laundry - soap, clips...
Misc. - shoe lace, string, headlamp, duct tape ....
What didn't make the cut is things like a hair dryer, make-up, mirror, books/camera (using iPod) , conditioner ....

2. Do you sleep outside?

No! We have been in hotels but tomorrow we will stay in an albergue (hostel). Miss Town can tell you about them. They cost from 3 euros to 12 euros. Sometes you also get a meal.

3. Will you be climbing mountains?

Yes! In fact tomorrow we will be climbing the Alto del Perdon, the mountain of forgiveness. It is a 350 m climb and we will be rewarded with beautiful views and metal sculptures of pilgrims. I will send a pic.

Big day tomorrow so I will answer the other questions another day. I have added some pictures of Pamploma.

1st We are at the Peunte (bridge ) of Magdalena.

2nd. Plaza del Castillo
3rd. Typical street in old Pamplona
4th. Cafe Iruna where Ernest Hemmingway always ate. We had a delicious Pilgrims meal there.