It has been a little over a month since I’ve returned from my trip to Spain. And I have yet to finish my tale here.
How do I describe what I saw and experienced?
So instead of trying to write about it, I decided to show you what I saw through the eyes of my iPhone.
Enjoy.
20.5 KM to go until Santiago de Compostela
Three days down and three more to go! Half way to Santiago de Compostela!
Bye Pamplona!
But we have to start the camino sometime, right?
Headed out to Sarria, our puerta del camino. It’ll take all day by train. Starting the camino on July 25, the feast day of St. James.
Today in Pamplona we had all sorts of Encierros.
There’s a ton of Encierro, bull fighting, San Fermin gear here in Pamplona. It’s literally crazy. But as crazy as the people who run in the Encierro are, the actual inhabitants of Pamplona are fairly…chill.
And the Cathedral was gorgeous! A beautiful example of a true Gothic Cathedral.
We also got some Pinxtos (tapas in Basque).
After a few glasses of Rioja, we walked to the Citadel. I had a moment with the old military piece of history. How many soldiers had walked across its walls. Including this soldier.
Madrid
The start of our long camino (walk).
Yesterday, after my momfinallymade it to Madrid, we checked into our hotel (the wonderful Hotel Europa). We walked over to the Prado and say some Rafael, Dutch Masters, and Goya.
On our way back to the hotel, we witnessed a protest. Sweet.
We took a siesta (which mom learned was deadly). And then went shopping!
After a few hours of shopping, we got tapas, desserts and walked around the city at night!
This morning, we woke up, grabbed some ‘Bucks (starbucks) and went to Mass at the Cathedral in Madrid. However, we were surprised to find that today was the feast day of St. James (the patron saint of Spain and the Camino). The Mass that we attended was said by the Cardinal of Madrid, Antonio María Rouco Varela.
In his homily, he talked about pain and suffering are how we grow closer to Jesus. He also talked about how faith, hope, and charity are what can help Madrid out of the economic crisis (along with prayers to St. James, their patron saint).
Afterwards, there were folk demonstrations!
We then went to the Plaza Mayor where trials were held for the Inquisition in the 15th Century.
We had a spot of Lunch! (Paella and eggs and sausage)!
And then another siesta.
What a good day!
Irish-Mammy-Chelle finally made it to Madrid. We lugged all our luggage through the metro system and made it to the Hotel Europa!
Last photos from Toledo from the going away party last night.
