Our 3rd Day on the Maseta

It has been a few days...... However we have truly been blessed with the alburgues we have been able to stay at. Since we stayed in Ages and were in the middle of a huge rain storm we have been to:

1. Burgos: This city was absolutely amazing!! We arrived around noon and checked into our alburge. We right away looked for a place to eat and found a restaurant right next to the Cathedral de Santa Maria. This Cathedral was absolutely gorgeous. We got tickets to go in and took plenty of photos we hope to post soon. We spent at least two hours touring this Cathedral. Later Tueday evening we went out in the town. It was a very popular week we happen to visit and they had a huge Festival de Burgos going on everynight. We happen to be the the eve of the biggest day of the year. While we walked the Plaza Mayor and Paseo Espolon we got to listen to a Brazilian band play amazing music, watch trapeze artists swing in the air and entertain children and walked from booth to booth tasting numerous tapas. It was a cold night in Burgos but we had a blast laughing and soaking in the culture. At a half past ten (thats how they say 10:30 over here) we walked back to the alburge where we tried to fall asleep. The alburge was so warm we couldn´t fall asleep. At just about midnight we both heard the loudest noises coming from outside. The streets were filled with locals partying at pubs and dancing in the streets. We went to bed because if we didn´t we would get locked out of our Alburgue and that wouldn´t be good. Finally fireworks began going off and we thought they would never stop. We walked over to a corner window and got to enjoy the most amazing firework show both of us had ever seen. It went on for just over half an hour and was literally about a block away right above the Cathedral. AH-MAZING!!!

2. Wednesday morning we woke up at around 5:30am and left the alburgue by 6am. The streets of Burgos were still filled with locals partying and enjoying their morning. A few were even looking for rides home and wishing us a sarcastic ´Buen Camino´. We passed the next main village about 21k out and decided to go about 5km more to a town called San Bol. We had heard from the pueblo before that there was nothing in San Bol but an alburgue... no homes, no restaurant no food. So we made sure we took 4 sandwiches to go. When we made it into this small remote valley of San Bol we were an awe its beauty took us by surprise and we proceeded 200 meters off the camino to check out the alburgue. We were a bit afraid there wouldn´t be any more room for us to stay but thankfully the host was very welcoming and even informed us they were making a pilgrim dinner for the guest. We were stoked because we were getting Paella. This Alburgue was gorgeous and so refreshing. It is said that the stream and pond below this alburgue has healing powers for sore and aching feet. We both enjoyed the ice cold water and dipped our feet in (like the cabin). We learned the host and her husband were from Cuba and moved to España to start a better life. She was such a sweet lady.


3. San Nicolaus - Thursday morning we took off through the Meseta on a very windy and sunny morning. We have been very lucky with this morning weather. We weren´t sure where we wanted to stop for the next evening until we came across this charming Alburgue just before Intero de la Vega. This alburgue in San Nicolaus was restored by an Italian Confraternity who retain candlelight as the source of light which adds to the healing atmosphere of this secluded alburgue. Space was limited and we got there just in time to get beds (not mattresses on the floor). We were welcomed with open arms and this confraternity has special riturals where they washed our feet with healing water on their altar. The meal was delicious a shared pilgrim meal with pasta, bean, egg, and tuna salad and vino. We both slept very well last night and woke up with a smile. They wished us a good bye with a prayer and hugs with lots of photos.



We are in Fromista right now at a local Bar who had internet. We decided to only go 14km today and make it an easy day. Jasmine tends to start feeling more pain about 1 to 2 km outside of whatever Pueblo(town) we are going to stop at. Its a bit of a metal thing she thinks. We have been sitting here in this bar for about three hours now enjoying Maxibon´s (Ice cream bars) and Cervez y Claras (beer with carbonated lemonade).

Brian is making sure he is keeping up as best he can with his Fantasy Baseball even though he is slipping in the standings. Jasmine can´t wait to see emails or messages from family and friends.

We miss everyone and can´t wait to update you soon.

Ages

Thunder storm! We are in a middle of a thunder storm. Luckly we are safe and dry in our hostel. We were enjoying a very cool (almost cold) and quiet church when we had to run back to the hostel and save our damp clothing. Now we are patiently waiting for dinner in a couple of hours. All you can eat pallea, chicken and salad and all you can drink wine.

Today we walked 28 km. We were planning on stopping 4 km earlier in San Juan Ortega, but we were feeling so good (after Jasmine had her Coco Cola) we kept on going to Ages. We are getting closer to the maseta, the desert. We are two days away and are planing on starting our day 4:30ish am. We will leave early and end early to avoid the heat as much as possible.

Tomorrow we will stay in Burgos, which is one of the larger cities we will pass through. We may even stop to get a haircut...We both need one. Hasta luego.

We are in Belorado

Yesterday we walked from Torres Del Oro to Belorado. It was a hot morning and Jaz wasn´t having it.... Well...she was a little more quiet than usual. But we made it through it. About a mile outside of our destination we stopped in a town for a Sandwich con Jamon y Queso. At around 1pm we finally made it to Belorado. The first hostel we were going to stay in was full... this was our first experience of having to be turned away. So we walked two blocks and found this charming hostel ran by a local family. The host was very helpful and began speaking English to us both. She informed us that they made Pilgrim dinner for their guests if we wanted to attend. Right away we both agreed and went to shower.

Brian right away noticed the pool and said let jump in for a dip after we shower. It was so refreshing and it cooled us down right away. There was a little boy named Gabriel who was around 2 years old who´s grandmother was watching him play in the yard. Right away Gabriel was amused that we were wetting our feet, he too wanted to join in on the fun. He began to wet his feet and play hide and go seek with us. Brian even started speaking spanish with the little boy saying ¨Donde esta Gabriel¨ ....

We took naps and got our clothes washed and at around 7:30pm we were headed upstairs for a delicious three course meal... salad, pasta and lemon chicken with potatoes... we also got flan with a bottle of wine oh yes and lets not forget our dessert shots that were offerd to us after our meal. We were also treated to a surprise performance from fellow pilgrims who sang a french song. We have no clue what they were singing about, but they did a fine job.

We had a much needed and enjoyable rest day today in Belorado. It was filled with food, Spanish TV and snacks from the fruiteria. Tomorrow we will be walking again and by Tuesday we should be in Burgos. Hasta luego...

Logrono to Najera

Yesterday in Longrono we had lunch in the plaza. We ate pulpo con patatas bravas (octopus with potatoes) and bbq pork ribs. They were wonderful. We definitely over ate (we have pictures to prove it). We finished off the meal walking around town with postachio gelato on a surgar cone.

Today we walk 30 km from Logrono to Najera. While walking we discussed how we haven´t shared the terrain we have been walking through. The past 3-4 days we have walked through country that has reminded Brian of the central coast: lots of vineyards. The Riojo Valley is famous for its wines. We are facinated with the stone huts and old farm houses we pass on our path. One of todays highlights was passing two donkeys (we took pictures).

One of the great things about the Camino is reconnecting with people we met earlier. We met a lady named Sylvia from Florida who is walking the Camino for her fourth time about 4 days ago. We had not seen her since, but we saw her again during lunch. We walked with her for a few km and we parted ways again. This scene replays itself time and time again with other pilgrims along the Camino.

We are tired, but not nearly as tired as we were last time we walked 30+ km. We have our first blisters. Not bad for walking for 8 days. Small blisters on our toes. We bought new ¨special¨ lotion for our feet and we think that it over softened our toes.

We just finished dinner at a cafe on the river. Jasmine had pasta with a red sauce, albondigas (meat balls) and Brian had green beans with ham and trout and crispy ham. Of course we shared a bottle of wine.

Until next time...

What a great Dinner....

Okay well we had to jump on here to inform you all of the funny dinner we just had. After waiting for a few hours for dinner to start around 7pm we got to our restaurant. The menu looked fantastic. Brian ordered Chicken Paella and we shared a tropical pasta salad. Jasmine had a salmon with potatoes. We sat on this beautiful balcony over looking the valley while sitting next to two gentlemen from Japan. Jasmine began to notice some dark clouds over head and mentioned to Brian that the sun rays around the coulds looked absolutely beautiful. Within minutes we began to hear thunder and a few seconds later we were ambushed by pouring rain. We moved to a table while Brian was munching on his Paella and ended up sharing the table with the Japanese men next to us. We couldn´t help but laugh about the situation and at the same time be thankful for the rain that cooled us down.

Good night everyone,
Brian & Jasmine

Puenta La Reina to Villamayor de Monjardin to Torres del Rio

Yesterday was the longest day we have had yet. After leaving early in the morning from Puenta La Reina and enjoying our Sunday rest day we ended up walking 32km. The weather is getting much warmer and we are learning that we should start waking up much earlier to walk. 32km was probably a bit too much and we wont be doing that again. We ended our day in Villamayor De Monjardin. This place was a hidden gem that we happen to decided to stay in. This Albergue (hostel) Hogar Monjardin is currenly ran by a Dutch group who take care of the Pilgrims who walk the Camino. They are an absolutely loving group who volunteer their time making delightful meals and making pilgrims feel very comfortable. We broke bread and drank wine with 25 other pilgrims and the Dutch volunteers. Our meal included a fresh veggie salad, steamed rice with meat and vegetables. We were particularly thankful for the vegetables because they are hard to come by here in Spain. There were at least a have dozen languages being spoken at the table with lots of translators. It was our favorite albergue, we felt quite at home.

Today we walked 20km to Torres Del Rio where we are right now. Before we arrived we stopped in Los Arcos where we shared a Sanwich con Jamon y Queso, Brians favorite meal to order. =) Los Arcos had a beautiful cathedral where we spent some time admiring.

The weather is extremly hot and we are waiting for dinner to start soon. Tomorrow we will walk to Logroño.

Pamplona and Puenta la Reina

Two days ago we spent the night in Pamplona. We got into town around 11am in the morning. We planned on having a short day of hiking (approximately 15km) so we could spend the day in the city. The alburgue, pilgrim hostel, had a ancient door and looked very rustic from the outside. Inside was a completely different story. The alburgue has been completely remodeled and we felt like we were living the life of luxery.

We spent the day walking around the city visiting famous places like the Plaza de Torros and the main plaza where we ate tapas and drank sangria for three hours. People watching is amazing hear. We watched a five year old kid play bumper cars with his little sisters stroller. He was running in and out of resturantes and running into complete strangers.

The past two days we have been in Puenta la Reina. Today has been a rest day. We stayed the first night in the alburgue, but tonight we are in a hotel resting our muscles and joints. We went to church this morning in a beautiful stone cathedral. Time is running out. We will post more pictures when we can.