El Camino

We had breakfast at the Seminario Menor after sleeping really well. The croissants were tasteful. After that Laura and Johanna went to the center of Santiago and looked around. Martin went to the bus station so we have tickets to Muxia for tomorrow. Then we saw the tomb of Saint James and layed our hands on his shoulders (a statue of him). In the Museum of the cathedral we learned more about the history, architecture and about pilgrimage to Santiago. And we saw the burning coal for the Botufameiro.

Laura bought a necklace of black onix stone and Johanna bought a chain for the chain pendant a woman had given us on the beginning of our pilgrimage. We ate lunch in the park of the Seminario Menor. We made a power nap and the reservations for the next days.

Afterwards we want to meet Maylin and Alessa for dinner and we are looking forward to it.

Today we walked about 16 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela. Our alarm rang at 4.00 and we started walking at about4. 40. It was dark for some time and we walked below the moon and the stars. We ate our prepared donuts in the dark and we were in the suburbs of Santiago soon. At some time we saw the cathedral for the first time and we went into a cafe. Then the last few hundred meters and we were at the place before the cathedral – we made it! Then we went to the pilgrims mass and got the compostela afterwards. We ate in a restaurant and checked in at seminario menor – single rooms this time. After a power nap where Johanna forgot her alarm and several other guests reacted to our tries to wake her up through the locked door before Johanna… She finally woke up and we will meet with other pilgrims and eat something.

Today we walked about 13 kilometers so it was a reallly relaxed day. On the way we met Petra, Andrea and Daniel, pilgrims we know since the albergue in Briallos. We had our breakfast near a small river and before we had met the cutest dog of whole Spain! Johanna also met the little version of her backpack. We got a beautiful stamp in a church and afterwards we rested in a bar with Petra and Andrea and ate Smarti Ice Cream. Later we fed the cutest black cat of whole spain with chicken from yesterday dinner. Now we are relaxing in the garden of our hostel and later we will prepare everything for tomorrow: the big day! 🙂

Today we walked about 21 kilometers from Briallos to Pontecesures. We started in the dark and had a nice sunrise. In Caldas de Reis we bought very good pastry and baguette for the breakfast. We saw many goats, dogs and cats. It rained for the first time and so we could test successfully our rain gear. Afterwards we want to eat with the pilgrims we met yesterday.

Today we walked almost 20 kilometers from Pontevedra to Briallos in the south of Caldas de Reis. Today Matthias had dinner early… So we started dinner early with Matthias before the blog… And then Daniel had his 49th birthday… And now it is after 22:30 in the dark sleeping room… So only a short blog entry today.

Today we walked almost 20 kilometers so it was relaxed. We ate our breakfast at the albergue and started walking while the sun rised. We saw a beautiful church and Laura walked most of the time with her backpack. Because of the Galician hills we always had to walk up and down but the landscape was really beautiful 🙂 And there was beautiful music because of a bagpipe player. We also found the smaller version/the younger sister of Johannas backpack 🙂 When we went shopping in Pontevedra in the first Aldi it felt a little bit like coming home because we bought Brezn! Now we are looking forward to the dinner and meeting other pilgrims we know already.

We walked from O Porriño to Cesantes. Today we saw the first waymarker with less than 100km distance to Santiago. We saw a very lovely cat which reminded us of our cat Sisi at home.

We wanted to get more money that we have not to sleep in the woods.. But the first ATM (Geldautomat) did not give us money… But we were very lucky that the next ATM gave us cash. Johanna walked again forward to the Cesantes to get our 3 beds… All of us are looking forward to the 3-course-menu in the albergue.

We walked through the beautiful castle Valença in the morning and there were no people. After that we crossed the border by walking over the river Rio Miño. So we were in Spain now one hour later… But it is now the timezone of Germany. For the first time Laura wore her backpack without pain. The chocolate and lemon ice for Laura and Johanna was really great.
And now we’re starving for…
FOOD!!!
(We are sitting in a bar and waiting… But completing our blog post)

We walked in Portugal close to the Spanish border to Valença. It was difficult for Laura yesterday to walk the hills up and down. Today it was rather flat, easier and shorter (about 18km). We liked the pilgrims menu very much in the evening. And there was a middle ages festival with a market. We sawfighting knights and Laura saw a bracelet of „healing stones“… And she talked so enthusiasticly with the young merchant that he gave Laura the bracelet as a gift.

Yesterday we saw two big ants with huge antennas.
Today we walked from Vila Praia de Ancora to Vila nova de cerveira. First we wanted to go by boat from Caminha to Spain… But there are not so many albergues and hostels on this route and Johanna and Martin walked this route last year … So we stayed in Portugal. As we have left the sea there are hills now and we have to walk up and down more often. We stay in the albergue Pilgrim’s Rest. It was created by Michael from Austria some years ago, who died from cancer 2017. His last will was the the albergue should be continued and so his friend Tom is now the owner. Michaela is the hospitalera / volunteer. It is the nicest albergue until now.