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Spain

El Camino de Santiago - Page 1

   
 
The first day into Spain involves a trek over the Pyrenees Mountains.  Here Is the treeless landscape atop the mountains due to the heavy winds.   The pass atop the Pyrenees - getting over the hump.  This was the most physically demanding on the hike ascending over 1000 meters in height.
     
 
The indicators of the "way".  Red and White stripes used in France and Yellow arrows used in Spain.  Near the French/Spanish border.   The descent on the Spanish side - a steep downhill with many trees.  Nearing the end of an Exhausting day. Note how the trees come out at an angle. 
     

The Canadian girls Cheri and Angie with Steven (who was named "John" in a former life.  At one of the many cafes along the way.  We met on the trail over the mountains.

Right:  The statue of Ernest Hemingway in front of the "Plaza del Toros" where the bulls are released to run the streets of Pamplona each July.

 
     
 
John, the retired Englishman, serving coffee and cookies to the bedraggled pilgrims atop the wind swept plateau after Pamplona   Near Los Arcos - Claudia, Angie, Markus
     
 

Above:  Statue on bench in Burgos. 

Below:  Azoftra - Roland (left) with Jerome who hoped to arrive in Santiago on his 70th birthday.

     
 

Above:  Trekking on the Meseta.

Left:  One of the many communal meals.  This one in Granon.

     
 

Above:  Angie's 25th birthday - Bodilla

Left:  Cheri and Angie - "The Canadian Roses".  They are on the first leg of a whirlwind year long world tour.  A long, long time ago, I can still remember how the music used to make me smile.....

     

The Ronning's - A fantastic Norwegian couple arriving early to the Albergue and waiting for the other pilgrims to arrive - San Juan de Ortega. 

 

Kathi and Marianne - a wonderful German Mother and Daughter from Munich.  Kathi is the "Poppy Princess".  These two were a great help keeping me company during some of the most brutally boring of the Camino.

     
 
Kathi has made a 'Poppy Princess" for me   Marianne at the 'Iron Cross'.  Note the shoes and other relics that the pilgrims have contributed.