Walking Viking
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- El Camino de Santiago del Norte (2015)
I started my camino on April 28, 2015. All toll, I was on camino for 41 days, taking one rest day a week off and spending the two nights at a hotel. I had one day of on and off showers, no rain the rest of my camino.
After finishing the del Norte, I spent 4 days in Santiago resting and healing my body, eating well and taking in some of the sights. My wife arrived the night before to view my finish. I walked into Obradoiro Plaza at the strike of noon, June 4. I made my way to the pilgrim's office, presented my credential, received my compostela and made my way to my hotel room. I had made reservations 6 months in advance.
In pilgrim city, I especially liked the cathedral tour and local eateries. After 4 nights in Santiago, we took an ALSA Bus to Ribadeo to visit the Hotel Santa Cruz owner and hotel manager, Henri. We became fast friends on my way through Ribadeo the first time on camino. He himself has hiked the camino's and spent his youth growing up in Santiago. He runs a very clean and neat little hotel and restaurant right on the Camino del Norte (the bronze shells in the sidewalk concrete goes right by the front door), and he caters to Pilgrims. Private room with bath was about Euro 25 (Try Booking.com). My wife and I spent 3 nights there and did a lot of local sightseeing/eating. Later into the week, we went on to Oviedo and then on to Madrid for the flight home. VERY IMPORTANT: The Oviedo Airport is NOT in Oviedo, it is just outside Aviles and Soto del Barco, some 40+ kms from Oviedo
Some things I learned about the Camino del Norte (and myself):
1). After an unscientific poll of pilgrims I had met on the Way, everybody agreed; There is no way for a first time pilgrim/walker to properly prepare your feet and legs for the first several stages from Irun to San Sebastian (to Zarautz, to Deba, to Markina, to Gernika, to Lesama). You will have blisters, blood blisters and open sores, probably foot, ankle and knee issues. You will make many visits to La Farmacia and become very well acquainted with Compeed and 600 mg Ibuprofen tablets (a 40 economy pack for Euro 1.97). Also, my world on the Camino completely changed for the better after I learned how to properly use trekking polls. All of my damage and injuries went away after three days.
2). The trail markers, posted signs, yellow arrowheads and shells (on markers and in concrete) can and will disappear or vaporize (Getting into Portugalete was impossible). Getting into towns, cities and villages is relatively easy, getting out and on trail is at times, impossible (leaving La Caridad comes to mind).
3). Being on the Way at sunrise was a great time to take photos. Amazing things happen at sunrise!
4). From Ribadeo to Santiago, it is almost impossible to get lost!!!! The way markers are well located and easy to follow.
5). I would do a camino again in a heartbeat, not changing much, but going solo allows way more flexibility.
For whatever reasons, we found ourselves on our own caminos. Me, to experience some of what my three ancestors experienced three hundred years ago, and to see if I could do it. Finish it. I did. And along the way, I became more enlightened and my life much more enriched.
After finishing the del Norte, I spent 4 days in Santiago resting and healing my body, eating well and taking in some of the sights. My wife arrived the night before to view my finish. I walked into Obradoiro Plaza at the strike of noon, June 4. I made my way to the pilgrim's office, presented my credential, received my compostela and made my way to my hotel room. I had made reservations 6 months in advance.
In pilgrim city, I especially liked the cathedral tour and local eateries. After 4 nights in Santiago, we took an ALSA Bus to Ribadeo to visit the Hotel Santa Cruz owner and hotel manager, Henri. We became fast friends on my way through Ribadeo the first time on camino. He himself has hiked the camino's and spent his youth growing up in Santiago. He runs a very clean and neat little hotel and restaurant right on the Camino del Norte (the bronze shells in the sidewalk concrete goes right by the front door), and he caters to Pilgrims. Private room with bath was about Euro 25 (Try Booking.com). My wife and I spent 3 nights there and did a lot of local sightseeing/eating. Later into the week, we went on to Oviedo and then on to Madrid for the flight home. VERY IMPORTANT: The Oviedo Airport is NOT in Oviedo, it is just outside Aviles and Soto del Barco, some 40+ kms from Oviedo
Some things I learned about the Camino del Norte (and myself):
1). After an unscientific poll of pilgrims I had met on the Way, everybody agreed; There is no way for a first time pilgrim/walker to properly prepare your feet and legs for the first several stages from Irun to San Sebastian (to Zarautz, to Deba, to Markina, to Gernika, to Lesama). You will have blisters, blood blisters and open sores, probably foot, ankle and knee issues. You will make many visits to La Farmacia and become very well acquainted with Compeed and 600 mg Ibuprofen tablets (a 40 economy pack for Euro 1.97). Also, my world on the Camino completely changed for the better after I learned how to properly use trekking polls. All of my damage and injuries went away after three days.
2). The trail markers, posted signs, yellow arrowheads and shells (on markers and in concrete) can and will disappear or vaporize (Getting into Portugalete was impossible). Getting into towns, cities and villages is relatively easy, getting out and on trail is at times, impossible (leaving La Caridad comes to mind).
3). Being on the Way at sunrise was a great time to take photos. Amazing things happen at sunrise!
4). From Ribadeo to Santiago, it is almost impossible to get lost!!!! The way markers are well located and easy to follow.
5). I would do a camino again in a heartbeat, not changing much, but going solo allows way more flexibility.
For whatever reasons, we found ourselves on our own caminos. Me, to experience some of what my three ancestors experienced three hundred years ago, and to see if I could do it. Finish it. I did. And along the way, I became more enlightened and my life much more enriched.