We have been in Europe for about a week and half so far, and are currently in the small town of Vianna, Spain. We began our trip in Nashville trying to make it to JFK and then on to Milan, Italy. Due to weather complications, our flight got cancelled to JFK, and they rebooked us on a flight to ATL and then on to Milan. The only problem was that it was planned for a day later. It ended working out fine because we got to spend one night with a friend in ATL, and had a direct flight to Milan the next day. Once we got go Milan, we did not even have enough time to go into the city because we had another flight the next morning at 6 AM to Barcelona. So we just decided to stay out by the airport in a hotel and get some rest, since the city center is about 70km from the airport. Luckily, we made it to Milan with all of our luggage and caught our next flight to Barcelona where we spent 3 days sightseeing. Here, we went to the La Sagrada Familia, a famous church in the city, we walked Las Ramblas, and explored La Boqueria (a famous food market). The second day we were there, we went down to the large port and watched all the sail boats heading out to sea for a race. We checked out a few more churches along the way, and just took in the sights of Barcelona. On the 3rd day, we went to Mount Juic on the outskirts of the city, and hiked to the huge castle on top. In the same area is the center for the 1992 Olympics. We ate a nice dinner at a tapas bar, and enjoyed $2 wine, which is very common in Spain.
After 3 days in Barcelona, we took an early morning bus for 6 hours to Pamplona, and waited for a 6 PM bus to the small town of Roncesvalles. Here is where we began hiking the Camino de Santiago. The first night we stayed in a monastery, and attended the 8 PM mass. The Camino is an 800 KM walk to the town of Santiago Compestela on the western coast of Spain. It generally takes about 30 days to walk the entire distance, but our goal is 40 days. We would also like to extend our hike to Finisterre, a small coastal town on the Atlantic Coast. This way we can take a little more time to sight see, not be so rushed, or get hurt. We are averaging about 20-25km a day, and have had a great time thus far. We have had great weather, and for the most part it has not been too hot. The Camino is set up where you can sleep in a system of “albergues” that cost anywhere between 5-10 euros a night per person. Only people walking the Camino can stay in them, and you have to provide your credential in order to gain admission. You get this credential when you begin your walk. They are either run by the city, the church, or they are private. They all have cooking facilities, showers, and places to do your laundry. Typically, they can sleep anywhere between 15 people to 200 people at a time. You have to leave the albergue by 8 in the AM, and they generally close the doors by 11 at night. It is a nice experience, and it is a great way to meet people from all over the world. We have hiked with people from Ireland to St. Louis, with every country in between. You also have the option to stay in pensions or small hotels along the way, and those typically cost 30 euro a night for a double bed. A typical routine for us right now is to be up and on the road by 6:3o AM, hike till 9, and stop for breakfast at a café. We will hike till 12, and have lunch outside. We always buy our food from local markets and stores and just carry it for the day. Then, we will get to our accommodation by 2 PM, shower, clean clothes, and then take a siesta till about 5. We either go out to eat or cook a meal by 7 PM. We are in bed by 9 PM, and then we do it all over again the next day. Tomorrow, we are headed to the town on Navarette, and then will take it take by day from there.
Continue to look for blog posts and photos! Below is a photo of a morning sheep crossing
Cheers,
David and Morgan
Vows To Voyage 