Kdrama Camino Sighting!

[natefaith]

As many of us know, over the last years the Camino has risen in popularity for South Koreans. I didn't know it had made it into their dramas, though! I was watching the Korean drama (Kdrama) Encounter last night, and spotted a map of the Camino. The characters never referenced the Camino during this scene (nor does the Camino have anything to do with the storyline), but it was cool to see the Camino be part of the space.

 

[dick bird]

Working in Villadangos at the moment. Fair number of Koreans on the Camino, and a surprising number of Taiwanese.

 

[natefaith]

Working in Villadangos at the moment. Fair number of Koreans on the Camino, and a surprising number of Taiwanese.

Enjoy your time there!

 

[joramos]

An aside, good portion of Koreans are Christians. Koreans walk the Camino de Santiago encouraged by "Korean Hostel in Spain," a TV variety show in Korea. Three pioneering Koreans decided to start an albergue to provide passing travellers a comfortable resting space and warm Korean meals, targeted especially for Korean pilgrims who miss the taste of home while on the long journey. Korean Hostel in Spain was filmed at its Villafranca de Bierzo location. The popularity of the TV show is instrumental to travel businesses to arrange travel, hosting, providing logistics, and guiding Koreans desiring to walk the Camino de Santiago. If you see a dozen or more pilgrims huddling around, wearing the same color ponchos or raincoats, chances are they are Koreans. These Camino travel groups are well-organized. Korean pilgrims are provided travel group name tags, interpreter/translator guides, and support vehicles along the path. Certainly, a good number also walk solo or with family and/or friends. The growing numbers of Korean pilgrims are the reasons for the introduction of Korean cuisine (ramen, bibimbap, kimchi, etc.) along the Camino that otherwise would be non-existent. Most of them speak English, and from personal experience, they are very kind, caring, generous, and helpful people.

 

[trecile]

Three pioneering Koreans decided to start an albergue to provide passing travellers a comfortable resting space and warm Korean meals, targeted especially for Korean pilgrims who miss the taste of home

I would love to stay in an albergue with Korean food!

The Koreans that I have met on past Caminos have not be walking with an organized group.

 

[VNwalking]

I would love to stay in an albergue with Korean food!

The Koreans that I have met on past Caminos have not be walking with an organized group.

Same!

 

[joramos]

I would love to stay in an albergue with Korean food!

Albergue Orion in Castrojeriz serve "bibimbap" prepared by Sanghui (Korean lady), as well as spicy/hot ramen noodles for dinner. Dani, part owner, made sure I enjoyed my stay and dinner there twice (2022/2023). I have seen several albergues, hostels, and pensions (cannot remember the names) along The Way in 2023 that serve korean dishes. Most sold only Korean ramens.

 

[joramos]

Same!

Please read response below; bibimbap in Alergue Orion in Castrojeriz. Thanks Sanghui and Dani.

 

[Gobsmacked by the World]

Two thumbs up for the bibimbap at Albergue Orion. It was SUCH a relief from the seemingly never-ending diet of “Camino fries”…formerly known as French fries, a formal name change is in the works.

The Koreans I met were walking alone, or in twos or threes. All made great walking companions and seemed very connected to the spiritual/religious aspects of the pilgrimage. Their Spanish was a limited as mine, so we all dealt with communication challenges in our surroundings. Some spoke less English than I do Korean, which is limited to the word bibimbap. Great companions all.

 

[lalaone]

Bibimbap at Albergue Orion in Castrojeriz! A very special pilgrims' dinner indeed. Wonderful place.

The restaurant El Mono del Camino in Cacabelos is another special place - ramen with fried egg and kimchi, and a friendly owner and cook, Santiago, who has fascinating tales about his native village of Cacabelos and his travels to Korea.

 

[joramos]

Two thumbs up for the bibimbap at Albergue Orion. It was SUCH a relief from the seemingly never-ending diet of “Camino fries”…formerly known as French fries, a formal name change is in the works.

The Koreans I met were walking alone, or in twos or threes. All made great walking companions and seemed very connected to the spiritual/religious aspects of the pilgrimage. Their Spanish was a limited as mine, so we all dealt with communication challenges in our surroundings. Some spoke less English than I do Korean, which is limited to the word bibimbap. Great companions all.

Camino fries = patatas fritas, then you have patatas brava!

 

[Gobsmacked by the World]

LOL, I love patatas bravas! I swear I was at risk of scurvy by time I got to SDC. The only thing that saved me was the fruit in the sangria.

 

[CWBuff]

I would love to stay in an albergue with Korean food!

The Koreans that I have met on past Caminos have not be walking with an organized group.

I was going to recommend the Albergue Orion in Castrojeriz... but Lawd Almighty...

 

[Maurice Frank]

Two of the most joyful people I met on my Camino Frances last fall are Koreans. I always felt happier in their presence

Thanks for sharing this and reminding me of them

 

[joramos]

I was going to recommend the Albergue Orion in Castrojeriz... but Lawd Almighty...

Dani and Sanghui will take care of you very well. Even if you stay at other Castrojeriz' accommodations but has the craving for Korean cuisine, just call Dani or Sanghui, at (+34) 649 481 609 / (+34) 672 580 959
to reserve you a spot and a bibimbap plate on the dinner table. Kindly extend my (Jo Ramos) best regards.

 

[CWBuff]

Yip don't have to sell me on that place! The albergue and dinner are among my few faves of my Camino

 

[Theatregal]

An interesting post from Nancy Frey's site. It may have been posted here before but I've just recently come across it!

Korean Edition of Pilgrim Stories: The Rise of Korean Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago - Walking to Presence

Walking to Presence promotes the idea that our relationships with new media technology impact our ability to connect with ourselves, nature and the world.

www.walkingtopresence.com