Walking Day 3 – Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo – It was a hard day but such a beautiful one. Vineyards everywhere (-: Lovely!
Walking Day 4 – Villafranca del Bierzo to Las Herrerias – Obviously another beautiful day. They all are. The last hour of every day is the hardest.
Day 5 Las Herrerias to Fonfria!
Fonfria, Fonfria, Fonfria! I love the albergue there! Second visit! This was the day of climbing mountains! To O Cebreiro and beyond to Fonfria. The hardest day, but the others prepared us well! Plus, WE MADE IT TO GALICIA!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just pictures. We are on the Camino de Santiago, loving every minute! Began in Astorga this time. Mini Camino. (These next few days will be my September update…because we’re out here living!)
Astorga, before the walk!
Walking Day 1 – Astorga to Foncebadon
Day 2 – Foncebadon to Ponferrada
Cruz de Ferro!Such an epic milestone on the Camino de Santiago! Cruz de Ferro…
How did we get here? The month of August is quickly being eaten up and September is just around the corner. This time last year we were eagerly anticipating a September in India and Nepal. As it turns out, it was far more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.
This is the view from the Shanti Stupa, which is situated on a hilltop across from the town of Pokhara, Nepal. You can either drive to the hill, or take one of the beautiful boat rides across Lake Phewa and arrive at the foot of the hill (mountain?). I walked barefoot from lakeside to the stupa and it was a gorgeous and picturesque route…all uphill!
I feel as though I am still processing India and Nepal. I have written about some of my experiences there, but I have only just scraped the surface. It was a profound experience I’ll remember forever.
From one of the pieces I wrote on my September 2018 experiences in India.The nicest surprise in India was a city I had no previous knowledge about. ORCHHA. It was a breathtaking city, filled with magical places to explore. The people were friendly and inviting. AND…some of our group went to a cooking class in the home of a local woman who runs her own cooking school. We had THE best time! I love Orchha!
India is now behind us by almost a year. I can’t even fathom that truth! It seems like yesterday.
Michael, India Gate, New Delhi, India, 2018
With September 2019 comes…another adventure! I once said there were too many places to visit to go to one place more than once. HA! That was before I met the Camino de Santiago. Yes, dear reader, I’m talking about the Camino yet again. I will probably continue to talk about it UNTIL EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU HAVE HEARD AND HEEDED THE CALL OF THE CAMINO!
We are 20 days away from setting out on my 2nd and my SO’s 1st Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Michael is looking forward to it as much as I am, though he may possibly have more trepidation than I have. I remember the days leading up to my first Camino…all I could think of was the impossibility of the whole thing. I was as nervous as I was excited. NOW I know different. I already know I GOT THIS. But that’s probably something one has to come to on their own. It all seems very overwhelming when you begin to think about taking that first step. Can I do this? Is it too much?
You can. It’s not. It’s beautiful and you should.
I’m ready for the Camino de Santiago. I hope these 20 days fly by. We are ready to discover the path together. Come September 10th, we’ll fly into Madrid. By the 12th, we’ll be in Astorga…where we will begin our shortened Camino journey. On the 13th, my 53rd birthday…we’ll be on our way! The walk to Santiago de Compostela will begin!
While I have your attention and I’m talking about the Camino…just a heads up— WRITING NEWS IS FORTHCOMING! MY LIPS ARE SEALED FOR THE TIME BEING, BUT I HAVE VERY EXCITING CAMINO RELATED WRITING NEWS COMING!!!
Come on, September! BRING IT! We’re Camino ready! Buen Camino!
KEVIN CRAIG 