“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
— Marcel Proust
During the Camino Countdown, I've mentioned how pretty this hike is. The types of landscapes, the ancient structures, the little villages, the big cities. Cathedrals. Castles. Cute bartenders.
How about I show you a few of the things I'm looking forward to? Sit back today and enjoy the show!
(Notice: All photos were found on generic Google searches. I wish I knew who to credit for these lovely shots, and will gladly do so if anyone can tell me. I am using them in good faith, and hope another pilgrim will do the same with mine in the future.)
St. Jean Pied-de-Port. The French Basque town where many start their Camino.
Moi, aussi!
The view as pilgrims climb to Roncevalles, the Spanish Basque town in the Pyrenees. The first 17 miles include a 4,000 elevation hike. Puff, puff, puff!
Here's the wine fountain! The sign on the fountain says, "Pilgrim, if you wish to arrive at Santiago full of strength and vitality, have a drink of this great wine and make a toast to happiness."
There is now a new sign about after you have your one little drink. Loosely translated: "Enough, already! If you want to fill your Camelbak, you can buy more at the shop." Share, pilgrims!
Burgos Cathedral, considered the most beautiful in Spain.
The Meseta region of Spain. Flat and fertile, this is the "breadbasket" of the nation.
A tiny village on the Camino. Some towns have only 20 residents.
How about a Roman bridge? There are several...
The Knights Templar castle...these knights were truly Good Guys, but the King and Pope got jealous. In short order, the Knights were arrested for blasphemy, tortured and put to death.
Getting closer to Santiago. In Galicia, with mountains and mist.
Plazas are for people-watching. And for pausing to have a snack, write in your journal, or just rest for a spell.
Here it is...the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of St. James lie. The end of the pilgrimage, unless you wish to continue 80 more kilometers to Finesterra and the Atlantic Ocean. Finesterra means "the end of the earth"...what everyone thought before Columbus would prove them wrong.
Dazzling, no? But, surely, you say, it's not one Kodak moment after another. You're absolutely right! Next time, I'll show you some of the less attractive spots on the Camino de Santiago.
Recent Comments