• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Vinsman

My Adventures Walking the Camino de Santiago

Archives for March 2016

Mar 12 2016

Let The Preparations Begin

I leave for Spain in just over 2 weeks. I have been walking everyday, but only short distances. Between 3 and 4 miles. I have also been carrying my pack to become used to the weight on my back. The weather in Spain right now is cold and wet. Seems like our friend “El Niño” is paying a visit to Europe as well as here in the us.

In 2013 I started April 3rd. The route Napoleon was closed due to snow, so I walked the Valcarlos route. I can easily say that after walking both routes that each has its own challenges. I also walked in Snow over Alto Padron and O’Cebrero. I am not a huge fan of the snow, but frankly, it is easier to walk in the snow than the rain in my opinion.

I have been going over my packing list in my head, trying to figure out how to get the weight of my pack down. Today I finally unpacked it, washed all of the clothes again and began the repacking process. I found all kinds of things in my pack that I did not need including an extra set of clothes. I am still taking 3 sets just leaving the 4th home this year. After putting everything in that I think I will need not including water and food I am at 17lbs. That is pretty darn good for me. The crazy thing is that I carry almost 8lbs of water, so in the morning I will be carrying 25lbs out the door.

I have made all of my bus reservations for travel withing Spain and also have my trip from Santiago to Madrid booked on Ryanair. The few hotel reservations that are necessary are handled. I have a Euro or two to get me by. I think I am ready to go.

Written by TheVinsman · Categorized: Camino 2016

Mar 04 2016

Preparing for my return to Spain

For the fourth year in a row I am preparing to go to Spain the day after Easter. This year there is a bit of a twist. I will be working as a volunteer Hospitalero in an albergue in Nájera for part of my time there. Nájera is, according to my last guidebook the destination of the 8th stage of the Camino Frances. I have stayed there twice but always at a private albergue in town. It is a beautiful little town with a river running through the center and sits at the base of some amazing red cliffs. It is in the La Rioja region of Spain which is know for its red soils and of course amazing and delicious red wines produced primarily from the Tempranillo grape.

I will be volunteering from April 1 to April 15th. As a hospitalero my job will be to primarily assure the comfort of the pilgrims. We are responsible for checking pilgrims into the albergue, answering any questions that they may have or at least being able to help find the answers if possible. We assure that each pilgrim is in fact a pilgrim and has walked, biked or traveled by horse or mule to the albergue. We clean the albergue each day after the pilgrims leave to make sure that the next wave has a clean, sanitary and inviting place to sleep. This specific albergue does not provide a communal meal, although many do. It does have a kitchen so that pilgrims my cook food for themselves if they like. This albergue is what is called a donativo albergue. What that means is that there is no charge to stay. We do not ask for any money but have a donation box available so that if the pilgrims would like they can make a donation. It is important to understand the donativo does not mean free. It means please give what you can. Back in the early days of the Camino there were many that had nothing and depended on the kindness and generosity of others to sustain themselves. Today there are still some individuals that make pilgrimage on the Camino with little of no money.

After my assignment is complete I will walk the next stage from Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. From there I will take a bus to Oviedo which is near the Atlantic coast of Spain. I am meeting my friend Paul there. We will walk from Oviedo to Santiago on the Norther Route.

Written by TheVinsman · Categorized: Hospitalero, Via de la Plata

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Posts

  • Day 12 Camino Primitivo Pedruzo to Santiago de Compostela. 20 km about 12 miles May 31, 2022  May 31, 2022
  • Day 11 on the Camino Primitivo Melide to O’Pedruzo 33 km 21.5 miles May 30, 2022 May 30, 2022
  • Day 10 on the Camino Primitivo.  A Seixa to Melide 14 km May 29, 2022 May 30, 2022
  • Day 9 on the Camino Primitivo Lugo to A Siexta 33 km.  May 28, 2022 May 28, 2022
  • Day 10 and day 8 on the Camino Primitivo.  Castroverde to Lugo 22 km. May 27, 2022 May 27, 2022
  • Day 7 on the Camino Primitivo A Fonsgrada to Castroverde 32 km. May 26, 2022 May 26, 2022
  • Day 6 on the Camino Primitivo Grandes de Salime to A Fonsgrada May 25, 2022 26 km May 26, 2022
  • Day 7 of travel and day 5 on the Camino Primitivo.  May 24, 2022
  • Day 6 Camino day 4 Samblismo to Berdecedo 23.4 km.  May 23, 2022
  • Day 5 of travel and day 3 on the Camino Bodenaya to Samblismo. 30.7 km  21 miles  May 22, 2022

Archives

  • May 2022
  • September 2021
  • March 2019
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • June 2017
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • November 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • February 2014
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013

Copyright © 2023 · Altitude Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in