camino de santiago Archives - Expedition Erika

The Complete Camino

September 19, 2019 No Comments

It’s now been over a month since I finished the Camino and returned back home to the US. What a whirlwind it has been. I spent a month with the same people, waking up, walking, eating, sleeping, doing everything together. Then, suddenly, we were all splitting up and heading off to different corners of the globe. That was definitely a strange experience.

Now that I’ve had some time to ~~begin to~~ normalize back into American life, I’ve decided to take all of my posts from my Camino down from the main page and organize them into one post. I still have all the posts available, but you just have to click the links here or the find the link on the category menu.

Some people told me I inspired them on by walking 500 miles across Spain, others hope to do something similar one day. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my adventures along the Camino. If you have any questions, I am more than willing to answer them.

Enjoy … and Buen Camino!

Camino de Santiago

Day 33: The End

August 14, 2019 No Comments

Monte do Gozo –> Santiago de Compostela (5km)

That’s it. It’s over. Ok, well it happened four days ago now, but still, it’s over.

If I’m honest, arriving in Santiago was a bit anticlimactic.

That’s not saying I didn’t like it. To use the cliché, it’s about the journey, not the destination.

Camino de Santiago

Days 27-32: A Whole New Camino

August 9, 2019 1 Comment

The last time I wrote, things were very different. I was sitting in a hot albergue, somewhat unaware of the road ahead.

We left Villafranca super early in the morning since it was going to be a long walk. I always hate waking up early, but it does feel good to rack up 10 kilometers before 8 AM. Things were good until we hit the steep climb up to O Cebreiro.

Camino de Santiago

Days 24-26: What’s the day again?

August 3, 2019 No Comments

Day 24: Astorga –> Foncebadón

Day 25: Foncebadón –> Ponferrada

Day 26: Ponferrada –> Villafranca del Bierzo

If I’m honest, I’m finding it harder and harder to write about my time. Most days are the same, we just pass through different towns. We get up, we walk, we stop for breakfast, we walk, we walk, we walk. I’ve got my Camino family, so I spend most of my time with them.

Camino de Santiago

Days 20-23: Roaring like a León

July 31, 2019 No Comments

Camino Day 20: Mansilla de las Mulas –> León

Camino Day 21: León Rest Day

Camino Day 22: León –> Hospital de Órbigo

Camino Day 23: Hospital de Órbigo –> Astorga

For the past few days, my friend hadn’t been feeling very well. I wasn’t sure if I’d be walking to León with him or solo. But like Michael Jordan in his flu game, he powered on the 18 kilometer journey to León.

Camino de Santiago

Day 19: We’re (Over) Halfway There

July 27, 2019 1 Comment

A few days have past since the day we all broke. The meseta is a strange place. One day we’re fine and the next day is a struggle. When we left Burgos, we were a group of six. At the time of writing, I’m part of a duo. Let’s recount what happened.

Camino de Santiago

Day 15: The Day We Broke

July 23, 2019 No Comments

Day 15

The Middle of Nowhere –> More Nowhere (30+ km)

Last night was horrible. Not only was it hot, but some loud, British woman was making bizarre sounds in her sleep, making it near impossible to sleep. I awoke several times during the night, hot, as well as afraid of oversleeping.

Camino de Santiago

Day 12-14: Wheat for Miles

July 22, 2019 No Comments

Day 12

Agés –> Burgos (around 20km)

Day 13

Burgos Rest Day

Day 14

Burgos –> Hornillos del Camino (21 km)

After spending a hot night in Agés (I think almost no one slept with a blanket), we set off early for Burgos. The guide books warn you to prepare for the shock of city life, but we were ready to be around civilization again.

The path to Burgos only includes one hill. It’s steep, but manageable. At the top of the hill, you can see Burgos from a far. Plus, it’s downhill and flat from there.

Camino de Santiago

Days 10 & 11: Nothing to See Here

July 19, 2019 No Comments

Day 10

Santo Domingo de la Calzada –> Belorado (22.4 km/14 miles)

Day 11

Belorado –> Agés (28 km/17 miles)

I didn’t sleep too well on Wednesday night going into Thursday. Not only was I given the top bunk, but I could hear the church bells ringing in the hour several times throughout the night. On top of that, several people’s alarm clocks were going off at 5 AM to ensure they got a head start.

Camino de Santiago

Day 9: Why So Serious?

July 17, 2019 1 Comment

Day 9

Nájera –> Santo Domingo de la Calzada (21.3 km/13.2 miles)

Ring. Ring. Ring.

I could hear the bells from the monastery in the distance, waking me up 45 minutes before I planned to get up. I laid in bed a bit before forcing myself to get dressed.

Nothing was open in Nájera for breakfast, so I ate half of my Cliff bar for sustenance before making it to the next town in about 5 kilometers. The hike wasn’t too exciting. More of the same, really, with grapevines going on for a while.