On the rest of Tuesday 23/6/2015 I stayed at the house with my housemate Lukas who I discussed tv shows and music with, he is a very cool guy. His also German and studying medicine at the University. He told me that night was a festival in Santiago called San Juan and the streets would be packed with people. I tagged along that evening with the housemates (also Elena who is a German university student and there is a Czech student called Katerina but she spent the night at the beach where there was bigger celebrations).
At San Juan I met some of the housemates friends who were very friendly, especially Giulia, an Italian girl who works in tourism in Santiago. She had actually lived in Australia for a year and we got along very well.
In Spain no one leaves to head out even for food until really late, I think we left after midnight? Which is standard here.
The festival was great, everywhere on the street's were bonfires and people jumping over them. I didn't as I was wearing flip flops and everyone said that would end badly! After a few hours everyone wanted to head back but Giulia and I headed out to a night club and didn't get home until way very late in the morning.
needless to say I spent all of yesterday sleeping and relaxing!
Today I woke up nice and early and went to a bakery to try a slice of Almond Torte which is meant to be "famous" here... it was okay, not the best though haha!
At 3pm Giulia finishes work and will catch up with me to show me around, take me to buy some more clothes now the Camino is over and show me this park that is meant to be really pretty.
because it's holidays Lukas left yesterday to go to Portugal for the week and Giulia leaves tomorrow for the north of Spain! But Katerina and Elena will still be here and apparently on Saturday there is meant to be this amazing day/night party for 3 euros that Elena said she will check it out with me :)
Thursday, 25 June 2015
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Santiago 23/06/2015
I arrived at Santiago at 8pm and a taxi dropped me from the station near the Cathedral. Almost immediately I was approached by three pilgrims (as I looked like one with my backpack) and they asked if I new if any albergues had room. They were 3 Germans called Lena, Ferdinand and Jonas. I told then I had an apartment and I was lost but if they helped find my apartment I would ask someone there to help show them any places they coul be open.
I ended up finding two Spanish uni students who were majoring in English so they walked me with the Germans to my apartment and then helped them find a place. My apartment was right in the middle of a plaza with a fountain so we agreed to meet up later and get food and drinks together.
That night we stayed out all hanging out with another German called Jonathan, everyone was lovely and they told me the next day they were travelling by bus 3 hours away to a beach town Fisterra and I should come camping with them...
So the next day off to Fisterra it was! The beach was spectacular and I only stayed the one day and night and the next evening I travelled back to my accommodation.
Yesterday Jonathan came back to Santiago so we spent the day together and went to mass and got dinner, this morning we have breakfast and then he left to travel back Germany.
The other three Germans I think MIGHT be travelling back to Santiago for just this evening before leaving tomorrow so I might see them tonight.
Today I just just relaxed and unfortunately my internet isn't working at my apartment so I'm having a tea at a cafe with wifi so I can write this.
Today's weather is actually quite cool but it's a nice break from heat :)
Hope all is well with everyone xo
I ended up finding two Spanish uni students who were majoring in English so they walked me with the Germans to my apartment and then helped them find a place. My apartment was right in the middle of a plaza with a fountain so we agreed to meet up later and get food and drinks together.
That night we stayed out all hanging out with another German called Jonathan, everyone was lovely and they told me the next day they were travelling by bus 3 hours away to a beach town Fisterra and I should come camping with them...
So the next day off to Fisterra it was! The beach was spectacular and I only stayed the one day and night and the next evening I travelled back to my accommodation.
Yesterday Jonathan came back to Santiago so we spent the day together and went to mass and got dinner, this morning we have breakfast and then he left to travel back Germany.
The other three Germans I think MIGHT be travelling back to Santiago for just this evening before leaving tomorrow so I might see them tonight.
Today I just just relaxed and unfortunately my internet isn't working at my apartment so I'm having a tea at a cafe with wifi so I can write this.
Today's weather is actually quite cool but it's a nice break from heat :)
Hope all is well with everyone xo
19/06/2015 Burgos to Santiago de compostela
Hola!!
I decided to spend the rest of the day going to the Pharmacist to get antibiotic cream and some open toed sandals to let my feet breathe.
The gentleman at my hostal said to go to this shop called "inside" that is in Spain, Portugal and England for the shoes and I fell in love! I not only walked out with sandals but a top, dress and pants.
I eventually caught up with Lili and bumped into the others at the main plaza for dinner and drinks. Lili said she'd stay the next night with me in Burgos while everyone else would would go on so I could rest and figure out my next plan of attack.
The next day Lili and I got some food and sat by the river, soaking up the sun, did some window shopping and watched a knight's tale. It was completely nice and a relaxing day. Lili is such a laid back beautiful soul.
It was this afternoon I realised I had only 10 days left until my flight from Santiago to Istanbul and I was still only in Burgos and would be lucky to make it to even Leon in time.
I then jumped on airbnb and found an adorable room in the middle of Santiago just a few minutes from the Cathedral so I contacted the lady yesterday and locked it in for today. This morning I had breakfast and said my goodbyes to Lili, her back on the way by foot and I to the train station.
I told the taxi driver my situation and he told me he had completed the Camino 5 times already and the key is to not time pressure yourself or things happen like you don't get enough rest and it just takes from the experience... So next time I won't have a set finish date!
So here I am now, sitting on a 8 hour train ride to Santiago de compostela and I am so excited and proud. I walked from St.Jean Pied de Port to Burgos in two glorious weeks and met so many amazing people.
My reason for moving along to Santiago and not staying longer in gorgeous Burgos is because of the weather, Santiago is much warmer like Istanbul and I thought I better get use to the hot hot heat.
This morning Facebook messages came rolling in from pilgrims wishing me well and expressing happiness for meeting me and sadness for my short departure. I had planned to have a big send off in Leon with my Camino family as I was not to be able to finish with them. On the plus side many of them expressed their desire to travel to Australia (sorry mum I told them they have a place to crash if they find themselves in Australia).
I will continue these blogs as I still have so much to see in Santiago and then I still have Turkey, Italy, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
My Camino adventures might be over for now, but not forever. This is only my first chapter of my European adventures!
Adios xo
I decided to spend the rest of the day going to the Pharmacist to get antibiotic cream and some open toed sandals to let my feet breathe.
The gentleman at my hostal said to go to this shop called "inside" that is in Spain, Portugal and England for the shoes and I fell in love! I not only walked out with sandals but a top, dress and pants.
I eventually caught up with Lili and bumped into the others at the main plaza for dinner and drinks. Lili said she'd stay the next night with me in Burgos while everyone else would would go on so I could rest and figure out my next plan of attack.
The next day Lili and I got some food and sat by the river, soaking up the sun, did some window shopping and watched a knight's tale. It was completely nice and a relaxing day. Lili is such a laid back beautiful soul.
It was this afternoon I realised I had only 10 days left until my flight from Santiago to Istanbul and I was still only in Burgos and would be lucky to make it to even Leon in time.
I then jumped on airbnb and found an adorable room in the middle of Santiago just a few minutes from the Cathedral so I contacted the lady yesterday and locked it in for today. This morning I had breakfast and said my goodbyes to Lili, her back on the way by foot and I to the train station.
I told the taxi driver my situation and he told me he had completed the Camino 5 times already and the key is to not time pressure yourself or things happen like you don't get enough rest and it just takes from the experience... So next time I won't have a set finish date!
So here I am now, sitting on a 8 hour train ride to Santiago de compostela and I am so excited and proud. I walked from St.Jean Pied de Port to Burgos in two glorious weeks and met so many amazing people.
My reason for moving along to Santiago and not staying longer in gorgeous Burgos is because of the weather, Santiago is much warmer like Istanbul and I thought I better get use to the hot hot heat.
This morning Facebook messages came rolling in from pilgrims wishing me well and expressing happiness for meeting me and sadness for my short departure. I had planned to have a big send off in Leon with my Camino family as I was not to be able to finish with them. On the plus side many of them expressed their desire to travel to Australia (sorry mum I told them they have a place to crash if they find themselves in Australia).
I will continue these blogs as I still have so much to see in Santiago and then I still have Turkey, Italy, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
My Camino adventures might be over for now, but not forever. This is only my first chapter of my European adventures!
Adios xo
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
17/06/2015
Today my foot hurt so much and it looks really infected so I realised I needed to get some medical attention and put off walking for a while. Because I was in a tiny village with nothing medical and no public transportation I caught a taxi 22km to Burgos which is a very large city. The drive was amazing, I have not been in a car for so long and staring out the window at all the views was relaxing.
With the state I am in I decided to book to nights at a hotel in Burgos for 62 euros which was a really good investment. It's a big price difference compared to the albergues but I have my on double bed, ensuite, tv and wifi access.
I got to my accommodation an hour ago (around 10am) which was 4 hours before check in but the man was so friendly and let me straight into my room. He gave me a map and marked out where the albergues are so I can meet the others later, where the pharmacy is and told me about the city. He said every Wednesday from 4pm-8pm the museum is free to the public so I think I'll love to go check that out, along with the half remaining castle that was destroyed by Napoleon and the cathedral if my foot doesn't give me to much greif.
With the state I am in I decided to book to nights at a hotel in Burgos for 62 euros which was a really good investment. It's a big price difference compared to the albergues but I have my on double bed, ensuite, tv and wifi access.
I got to my accommodation an hour ago (around 10am) which was 4 hours before check in but the man was so friendly and let me straight into my room. He gave me a map and marked out where the albergues are so I can meet the others later, where the pharmacy is and told me about the city. He said every Wednesday from 4pm-8pm the museum is free to the public so I think I'll love to go check that out, along with the half remaining castle that was destroyed by Napoleon and the cathedral if my foot doesn't give me to much greif.
16/06/2015
Today was hard, I woke up and my foot was still playing up and there wasn't any doctors or pharmacies I could find that were open so I played my tunes loud and powered onto Ages. The walk for 30km was up mountain side and next to forest which was stunning.
Along the way I kept bumping into the same friendly faces I see everyday and they complimented me on my fast pace. Someone suggested I am probably walking to fast to which may be upsetting my foot though...
At Ages we stayed at a Albergue which was many many beds in one room. Again this village was tiny so everyone from the Albergue spent the evening sharing food and drinks together. Everyone is so friendly and I spoke to people from so many different countries.
Along the way I kept bumping into the same friendly faces I see everyday and they complimented me on my fast pace. Someone suggested I am probably walking to fast to which may be upsetting my foot though...
At Ages we stayed at a Albergue which was many many beds in one room. Again this village was tiny so everyone from the Albergue spent the evening sharing food and drinks together. Everyone is so friendly and I spoke to people from so many different countries.
15/06/2015 so Domingo la Calzada to Belorado
Like the day before I decided to power through the Camino solo just to quickly get to the destination as everyone else seems to slowly walk and stop at every town to try tapas and vino and I thought the least time on my feet the better until I work out how to properly deal with my foot.
I could be graphic and tell you the gory details but I'll try have some class and tell you the advice I got from others doesn't seem to be helping this one spot on my foot.
At Belardo I did however try some tapas and bumped into Ramone the American I met with Kate in Torres del Rio so we watched a few move tv shows together.
again at this Albergue we were all able to get a room together with John, Lia, Mark (the English one), Luke, Jill, Adelite, Nick and Leanne. Tu arrived late so for the same price he got his own bedroom, the lucky guy! He inly got it that price as the gentleman who ran the Albergue was so sweet.
We all ate a Pilgrim's dinner together which is usually includes entree, main, dessert, water, bread and sometimes some Vino.
After dinner I just socialised for a very little bit and went to bed to try and have a good nights rest before the next adventure tomorrow.
I could be graphic and tell you the gory details but I'll try have some class and tell you the advice I got from others doesn't seem to be helping this one spot on my foot.
At Belardo I did however try some tapas and bumped into Ramone the American I met with Kate in Torres del Rio so we watched a few move tv shows together.
again at this Albergue we were all able to get a room together with John, Lia, Mark (the English one), Luke, Jill, Adelite, Nick and Leanne. Tu arrived late so for the same price he got his own bedroom, the lucky guy! He inly got it that price as the gentleman who ran the Albergue was so sweet.
We all ate a Pilgrim's dinner together which is usually includes entree, main, dessert, water, bread and sometimes some Vino.
After dinner I just socialised for a very little bit and went to bed to try and have a good nights rest before the next adventure tomorrow.
Najera to So Domingo la Calzada
Today with my foot hurting I decided to walk quickly to So Domingo la Calzada so I walked the 22km alone in 4.5 hours. It was nice walking alone, listening to music and dancing. I have become such a professional at twirling my hiking stick and many pilgrims and locals that see me smile and wave whenever I'm twirling the stick and dancing haha.
I arrived at lunch time and ate a vegetarian sandwich only to get tuna in it (I will learn one day) and had to wait for a new one to be made but it was just heavenly with those fresh vegetables, I don't think I can stress or repeat how little fresh food the Camino has.
When the others arrived we managed to get a 10 person room in the albergue with all my friends so it was comfy and the owner was really nice.
Because it was a Sunday everything was closed so we just ate dinner and all hung out.
I arrived at lunch time and ate a vegetarian sandwich only to get tuna in it (I will learn one day) and had to wait for a new one to be made but it was just heavenly with those fresh vegetables, I don't think I can stress or repeat how little fresh food the Camino has.
When the others arrived we managed to get a 10 person room in the albergue with all my friends so it was comfy and the owner was really nice.
Because it was a Sunday everything was closed so we just ate dinner and all hung out.
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