Camino de Santiago
Posted by Charlie Goodman
on Oct 09, 2015
This is my final report, as I will be back in Santa Fe by the next Rotary meeting. Wrote extensive report yesterday in time for the Rotary meeting. I was having trouble with email and seems it did not get sent or saved as draft, lost somewhere in cyber space. The trip to Lugo was great but it turned out to be the day from hell, seems almost everything went wrong. Remember, things are never so bad they can't get worse. Spent with Australian friends walking the wall and touring Lugo. Finally decided to check in to our albergue and discovered we had reserved space in Sarria, 50 km back. Canceled reservation and took the last bus to Pala de Rei. Getting off the bus I lost my Maui Jim sunglasses. My phone was running low on power, my charger was in my pack I had forwarded ahead, and when I turned it back on it wanted to know the code for the Spanish SIM card, I didn't have a clue. Finally to top it all off I went to the ATM to get $ and the machine took my card, not to be returned. We did have a great dinner that evening. Next day walking was great, but on Sunday it started raining. Monday we arrived in Santiago in what was reported in the paper the next day as a flood. Water was ankle deep, there was no getting warm or dry until we arrived in Santiago. I met so many wonderful people on the Camino many of which we're checking in to get their certificate the same day as I. Took a bus tour of Muxia and Finisterre. Had the best seafood paella I Jane ever had in Finisterre. Changed plans coming home and flying thru Dublin where I will meet Ian whom you may recall I meet at the beginning of the trip. We will visit Temple Bar Pub, the happening place in city center Dublin, and have a couple of Ginness.
See all the Rotarians on Thursday.
Thanks for supporting my effort and our Guatemala water project.
Despite the fact I skipped a section of the Camino I am in possession of a distance certificate, certifying I walked 775 km.
See all the Rotarians on Thursday.
Thanks for supporting my effort and our Guatemala water project.
Despite the fact I skipped a section of the Camino I am in possession of a distance certificate, certifying I walked 775 km.
>On Oct 1, 2015, at 1:18 PM, Charles Goodman <charles@kokoproperty.com> wrote:
>
> This is my third report. Another week has past on the Camino. Weather has been great and I am now less than 100 km from Santiago. Last few days have been tough, seems like I developed tendenitous from some serious downhill walking. Iced it, wrapped it, and yesterday got some compression socks, life's a bitch when you get old. I would say this has been the most beautiful part of the Camino. Left Sarria this am with cloudless sky, but walked in the fog until about 11, it was awesome. I had a plan when I started this trip, but like most plans, it was shoot on the first week. Anybody that wants to give it a try, I have lots of advice. I in Portomarin tonight. Taking a side trip to Lugo tomorrow to see the oldest Roman walled city in Spain. Still plan on being in Samtiago on Monday, but the weather report says rain Sat-Thurs. we'll see how that works out. Almost to my goal.
>
> Buen Camino
>
> This is my third report. Another week has past on the Camino. Weather has been great and I am now less than 100 km from Santiago. Last few days have been tough, seems like I developed tendenitous from some serious downhill walking. Iced it, wrapped it, and yesterday got some compression socks, life's a bitch when you get old. I would say this has been the most beautiful part of the Camino. Left Sarria this am with cloudless sky, but walked in the fog until about 11, it was awesome. I had a plan when I started this trip, but like most plans, it was shoot on the first week. Anybody that wants to give it a try, I have lots of advice. I in Portomarin tonight. Taking a side trip to Lugo tomorrow to see the oldest Roman walled city in Spain. Still plan on being in Samtiago on Monday, but the weather report says rain Sat-Thurs. we'll see how that works out. Almost to my goal.
>
> Buen Camino
Sept. 24
This is my second report end of wks 2 1/2. This was not a good week. I had to go to the University hospital in Burgos to have my feet looked at. I had a silver dollar sized blister under my big toe on each foot, both of which had become infected to the point I could barely walk. The doctor prescribed antibiotics and pain medicine and said to lay up for a week. I spent 4 days in Burgos, attended a Rotary meeting then took the bus to Leon where I spent 2 more days. I bought some arnica cream to treat the deep bruises on the balls of my feet and some Vaseline to rub between my toes. Attended another Rotary meeting in Leon. I wasn't depressed but extremely disappointed. I was able to get back on the Camino on Wed. And have averaged 25 km/day for the last 2 days with no further problems. The cathedrals in both Burgos and Leon are beautiful. Clearly I am not going to achieve my goal of 550 miles since I skipped forward the equivalent of 6 days or about 120 miles. I am back on track and should arrive in Santiago Oct 5 then another 90 km to Finesterre on the coast. I guess about another 350 km of the ruffly 900 scheduled to walk. Hope you want penalize me for the 6 days with your pledges. Been walking last 2 days with a chap and his wife from Port Maquarie Australia, Rotarian as well. Told him about this fund raiser as well as Pancakes on the Plaza. He was impressed. I've met people from all over the world doing this journey, all for various reasons. In Burgos I got a Spanish SIM card for my phone. It has unlimited data at no cost, but I have a new Spanish phone number, no need to tell you, I only call Diane and no other calls. Heard the Hospital Gala was a great success, sorry I missed it.
Buen Camino
Buen Camino
Sept 15
Just an update on my progress, 86.1 mi done, 386.1 to go. The first day was 12 mi relentlessly uphill, then 3 miles down about 30% grade, steep. Stayed in a municipal albergue operated by volunteers. 183 beds in pods of 4. Hooked up with 2 lads and a girl from Ireland pluse a guy from Liverpool to walk with. Typical day starts by walking about 4-6km have coffee and croissant. Walk another 10km have snack and try to be at destination by 1. Time for shower sometimes on the low side of luke warm. Seen some beautiful country. If I had to title this trip it would be: The World is not Flat. Lots of up and down. I am currently in Logrono, capital of Rioja, think grapes. Lots of fruit along the Camino, black berries, figs, purple & green grapes, apricots, peaches, pears, and more. This is a rest day, went to see the doc to get some blisters taken care of. All of this is in old medivial Spain. The pilgrim menu gets old, mostly lots of potatoes and white bread with a salad, protein, and postre.