100 Worte - 100 words

Es war einmal ein kleiner Junge, der lebte mit seinen Eltern und Geschwistern in einem riesigen Wohnkomplex, in dem keine Hunde erlaubt waren. Aus Einsamkeit erfand der Junge seinen eigenen Hund und schrieb, anstelle von Gassi gehen, jeden Abend vor dem Schlafengehen eine Geschichte in ein besonderes Heft. Bald war das Heft voll mit zahlreichen gemeinsamen Abenteuern. Niemand in der Familie erfuhr jemals von den waghalsigen Reisen und den fantastischen Erlebnissen der beiden Gefährten. Das Heft geriet bald in Vergessenheit und landete auf dem Müllplatz. Der kleine Junge wurde Schriftsteller und lebte in grosser Bescheidenheit, um seine Fantasie zu beflügeln.

Once upon a time there was a young boy, who lived with his family in a gigantic apartment complex, where no pets were allowed. The lonely boy invented a small dog and started to write about his beloved pet every night before going to bed, instead of walking a real doggy. Soon, the journal was full with great adventures. Nobody in the family ever learned about the exciting travels and the fantastic experiences of the two companions. The journal fell into oblivion and was discarded. The young boy grew into a wise man, who did not have many possessions, but a rich fantasy.

Finally: Arrival in Santiago de Compostela...

That was it!

A display of joy, achievement...

Not the kind of quiet joy, pain and doubt that was present during the last weeks.

The city is loud, hectic and crowded, too much to handle right away...

Strangers become friends

Exhausted and hungry, not really thrilled about the outlook that this was it. Antonio takes off the next day by plane to Sevilla. We eat, say good bye and I set off to Negreira, a long day:

Pedronzo - Santiago - Negreira.

I find a modern hostal, just opened a few weeks ago. The showers are phenomenal. After leaving Santiago, I was alone on the trail, finishing in peace.

No words necessary...

After returning from Muxia, I gave Santiago a second look. I was not the only one who was reflective.

News from the Camino Primitivo

Finally, sunshine! Crossed the mountains from Oviedo, Escamplero, Bodenaya, Borres, Berducedo, into Grandas des Salimas. Most hamlets may not show up on Google Map. Farm houses, a bar, and an auberge, that´s mostly it. The trail was mostly under water, but after the first step into a deep puddle, what´s there to loose. Looks like there are 10 to 20 pilgrims on their way between stages, although some seem to walk only in good weather. Met one guy who said there are 600 pilgrims on the Camino Frances, no complaints.

Made it into the Spanish Newspaper, well more as the background for a special auberge in Bodenaya.

Less than 200 km to Santiago, the excitement is building...

News from El Camino del Norte

Well, this is a different camino! I have been walking by myself most of the time, was the only guest in some of the auberges, walked in snow, rain, and on the beach!

It is quite comforting to walk without being rushed. The North Coast is amazing. The mountains come very close to the sea. It goes up and down. And it is VERY GREEN here. I guess that´s what rain does.



I am now on the Camino Primitivo, just outside Oviedo. There is some hill climbing ahead!

Training for the Camino

If all goes well, I may be on my way to Santiago de Compostela in about a week.

Will the skies over Europe be clear? Will it rain?
Will I find my way?
Will it be crowded, since it is a Holy Year?

El Camino goes Hollywood!

or is it the other way around - "Hollywood goes El Camino"?

Filmed on location on the camino in France and Spain...

The Way

or view this free documentary online:

In Between" by Sturla Pilskog.

Pearly...

Provided wood is treated the right way, it can weather many storms. This images was taken at the San Miguel mission near Paso Robles after a good early winter storm in December 2009. For the gizmo-heads, the picture was taken with an iPhone, pretty decent, right?

Not sure how I feel today, wishing stuff would pearl off like raindrops, maybe?