Peregrino State of Mind: A Tale of 200 KM

Hola! So I never ended up getting on the internet when I was walking the Camino. I kept a written journal of every day and I'm really glad I have that because it was the most incredible experience. I've been trying to think about what to write on here, but I guess I'll just do a general overview.

The Camino de Santiago is a religious pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela to see the cathedral where the remains of the apostle, St. James are. So pretty much everyone you encounter on the trail is a peregrino (pilgrim in Spanish). There are tons and tons of different routes and distances you can do, but the minimum kilometers in order to get the compostela (or certificate basically) is 100 km. You get a pilgrim credential before you start and then each town has different stamps that you get to prove you were there. Since Byron and I had ten days, we made a plan to start in Ponferrada, which is 200 km from Santiago.


Symbols for following the trail

We left Valencia Thursday evening and arrived in Madrid at 9. Our bus for Ponferrada left at 11 and we arrived at 5 am. This was only slightly problematic because Ponferrada was way bigger than we anticipated and we couldn't find where the trail started for the life of us and NOTHING was open. So we wandered around for at least an hour and a half, cold and lost. Long story short, we eventually made it and being on the trail made it completely worth it. Leon was gorgeous.


A view from the mountains passing from Leon in Galicia (two provinces of Spain)

Our first couple days passed with minimal crisis. We were a little sore and our second day I had to go to the infirmary to get my blisters popped. Sexy right? Then I accidentally washed my clothes instead of drying them and had to lug heavy, dripping wet clothes around for 27 km that day. But all in all, Byron and I were enjoying each other's company and the ability to just be introspective.


My favorite tree, about 100km from Santiago


Portomarin, a Galician town

We arrived in Barbadelo on Monday and that's when things got fun. Two guys came into our albergue not that long after us and I started talking to them while Byron was in the shower. They only spoke Spanish and we were just introducing ourselves and talking a little about our lives. Then they asked me if I liked Spanish food and I told them I loved tortilla de patata, so one of the guys, Sobe, decided to give me a recipe. But they couldn't agree on the recipe so Byron came back to them arguing about how many eggs to use. They were just the funniest people ever. Sobe is a 23 year old truck driver and Andres is a 32 year old banker.


Sobe and I. Everyone had a joke we were in love because one night I had a dream he was helping me pay my mortgage haha.

That night they invited us to get a beer with them and we sat talking until the albergue curfew with them. We also met another integral part of our camino family that night, the two Sevillian lady cops named Alicia and Ana. When they were all speaking fast it was sometimes hard to understand them, but my Spanish has honestly improved and I've learned so much by being surrounded by them for 7 days. So many memories and inside jokes came from that first night in Barbadelo. The next morning we met Diego or the "marquez" as we called him. They had me try this "orujo" shot which is some famous Galician liquor. Of course it was awful, particularly at 9 am, but they made me sip on it and then laughed like crazy as my face got redder and redder. We also ate octopus 3 times, which i absolutely loved.


Pulpo, or octopus. Don't let the looks deceive you.


We walked the whole rest of the 108 km with them and each day was incredible. There's nothing like just waking up every morning and knowing you just have to walk to your next destination. We usually walked about 20-30 km each day. I'm not going to go through each and every day on here because I already have all that written down, but if you ask my friends here, I just can't stop talking about how much fun I had and how happy I was.


Our group about 5 km before Santiago

We got to Santiago on Saturday and our bus left at 10:30 that night, so my only regret is not being able to spend more time in Santiago. But honestly I wouldn't trade my experience for the world. It was literally the most random group of people, but for that week the Camino was my life and they were my family. When we had to say goodbye I was almost in tears, although I wouldn't have told them that. I got my compostela, and it's beautiful. I definitely want to come back and do the Camino when I graduate.


The cathedral in Santiago

I promise I could write a million pages about my trip, but I just wanted to keep it fairly short on here. But ask me about my stories and I could tell you a million!

Our train from Santiago left at 10:30 and got to Madrid at 7:45 am. Don't ask me how that freaking train took 9 hours, but it did. I slept a little, but woke up each hour. Meh. Our bus from Madrid was from 9-1:30 and then we were back in sunny, warm Valencia.

It was really fun just getting to catch up with everyone over the past few days. It almost felt weird at first to be back home after my experience on the Camino, but I'm just lucky I got to have it at all. We had classes yesterday and Maddie, her cousin, Caitlin, and I went to this expensive dinner and spent 10 cheques on it. Hahaha, keeping it classy.

I'm in Zume now, which obviously I've missed dearly haha. My married Brazilian friends. Well happy Halloween week my friends! :)

Pre-Fall Break Blog Update!

Ok so yesterday I woke up bright and early to go to the school to teach my kids English. It was a little more awkward this time because the groups I had weren't as talkative, but I did my best. I got back around 11 and went to Zume for some hardcore homework time. I also had the best tea of my life. It was coconut, so obviously I loved it. Although. I discovered the the man I'm stalking is married, so that was a bit of a downer haha.

I got back to the study center in time for my class at 3. We went down to the port and I really enjoyed the stuff we learned about today. It's just cool getting to physically see the things that you're being taught. We ate some food at this Tio Pepe place and it was very good. We rode the bus back to the center and went to Cien Montaditos. Got some brie sandwiches to go and some tinto de verano.

We had a cultural conversation exchange at 7:30 and I really enjoyed the people I got to talk with. There names were Salva and Laura and they let me practice my Spanish for a while with them. Salva said there are other conversation things that I want to try and go to when I get back from fall break.

That night I went to Zume (again ahahahah) with Jordan, Caitlin, and Maddie and we just had a ladies margarita night while they planned their Camino weekend. We stayed until almost midnight I think and then I went to bed after we came back.

Today has felt really hectic because I've been trying to make sure i have everything ready for my trip. We watched Te Doy Mis Ojos in my film class, which I enjoyed. It was kind of sad but I guess there was hope in the end. After class I was running around, buying a rain poncho, finishing laundry, packing my backpack, etc.

I have my last class in 20 minutes. It gets out at 4:30 and then Byron and I are literally leaving for the train station at 5. Apparently you have access to the internet at all the albergues where you stay, but I don't want to get on facebook for the full 10 days. I just want this to be a really cool experience. I might update my blog every now and then though, just so mom knows I'm alive haha.

Be back on Sunday the 24th!

Rain=Long Naps

Well let's see. It hasn't exactly been the most exciting day ever, but it was relaxing. I got up at 8 for my class at 9 and it was already rainy. This is only the 2nd time I've ever really seen rain in Valencia, which is definitely a good thing in my opinion. My Spanish class was good and I actually feel like I learned a lot. I learned how to find houses and apartments and get a mortgage in Spain haha.

After class we watched a movie called Havana Blues. It was a good movie, but didn't really interest me that much. It was about people in Cuba and it was funny that I honestly can't understand Cuban Spanish, but anytime a Spaniard came on, I could understand them perfectly. Those accents just kill me.

After class we had to meet with our professor to get our tests back. I got a 88.7 so I'm quite pleased. Especially after hearing that only the credit transfers to CNU, not the grade. Baha, so all I need is a C- in all my classes.

Then Dominic and I walked in the pouring rain to Starbucks. I just have this complex where I need to be out of my study center to do any homework haha. So I got a delightful latte and did my Spanish homework. Totally wrote 2 pages in Spanish about my childhood obsession with Star Wars. I love my life.

I got back around 6 or 6:30 and definitely napped until 9. Hahaha that's sad. When it rains all I want to do is crawl into bed forever. Then I tried to book my trains and busses to get to Ponferrada, where I'm starting my Camino for fall break, but my credit cards kept getting messed up. Ughhh very frustrating. But it'll work out.

Ok sorry this was the lamest post ever haha. Hopefully tomorrow will be much more fun!


My Camino partner and I!!!

Sunday Funday

So yesterday I just spent a lot of time outside the study center chilling with whoever. I went to Pan de Queso and worked on some homework until Caitlin and I decided to go to Starbucks to do our papers together. We literally sat there for like 2 hours until it was almost 6 and we decided to go to church. We went to the cathedral and I loved it. We were probably the only two there that were under 60 years old and above 5 feet, but it was good. I understood everything, even the priest's homily. I just need to learn the actual prayers to say.

After church we went and climbed up the torres that are right by our study center, because Caitlin had never been. I just love the view from up there and it was a really beautiful evening.


Caitlin and I at the top


Me underneath the flag

When we got back I took a shower and got to skype for an hour with the wonderful Laura Bellantoni. Despite not wanting to leave Spain at all, when I get to talk to my friends it reminds me that I do have so much to come back to in the US and I think I'll be ok when the time comes to say goodbye.

Then since it was Kelly's sister's last night in town we went out. About 8 of us started the night at Finnegans and just sat around and chatted for a while. They had American football playing there, so that was pretty exciting. Then Fox Congo and Ghecko called our names haha. Surprisingly Fox Congo was crowded on a Sunday night. Maybe it was gay night? Just kidding, I think that's Bolseria on Sunday.

I didn't get into bed until like 4 am and had class at 9 am. Haha bad life decisions. Luckily my roommate saved me and woke me up at 8:50. My women in lit class was good though and Nordlund let us have the last hour of class at a cafe. I had the best tomato and brie sandwich. I'm going through a slight tomato and cheese phase.

Then Maddie and I went on an adventure tog et her ipod fixed. The first place wasn't able to help but sent us to this technician store. It was a slight distance away and we got a little disoriented. We finally made it at 2:20 and it had closed for siesta at 2. We were like looking into the windows wailing noooo, let us innnnn. Hahaha. When we got back home I ended up napping for a while. Then I went on a run in the park and it was probably the longest one I've been on. It felt so good to get those exercise endorphins going.

I showered and then decided to go to my fav place on Earth, zume to do my homework (which is actually just me updating my blog at the moment.) The Brazilians that work here that I love definitely recognize me now haha. It turns out Caitlin was already here doing work so we've just been hanging out. We decided we're coming here everyday. We're kind of stalkers, no big deal.

Now I need to actually do my homework! Ciao!

Valencia Extravaganza!

So let's see, I left off on Thursday afternoon. Thursday night was fun because the whole group went to Max Max. I met up with Viciente there, who was one of the guys we met on Tuesday night at New Orleans. So I enjoyed just getting to talk to him and his friends in Spanish most of the night.

On Friday we woke up early to go to the City of Arts and Sciences, which was incredible. They're all of these modern buildings in the middle of the rio (it's a park now but it used to be a river until they changed the route of the water due to a huge flood years ago). First we went to this museum thing but it just had all of these fun brain experiments and weird activities. I could've spent so much more time there. It reminded me of the Science Center in Baltimore where we used to go on field trips.


City of Arts and Sciences

Then we went to the dolphin show, which obviously I loved. They were so cute and just the happiest looking animals on Earth. I decided my dream job is to be a dolphin trainer haha. After the dolphins we got to go to the aquarium, which was more like a zoo with different exhibits that you walked to. We saw the sharks and you got to be underneath a long tunnel where they swam overtop and around you. Then we saw the Arctic Exhibit with penguins, belugas, and walruses. The penguins were so funny and would come hang out at the glass with you and follow you around. The last one we saw was the Caribbean exhibit with all of these tropical fish.


My penguin friend


Hola, mister tiburon!

After the aquarium, most of us were really tired, so I most definitely went back and took a good 2 and a half hour nap. I had to wake up at 5 though to get my Pilgrim Passport for the Camino. Byron and I walked to this place like 20 minutes away that is only open on Fridays 5-8:30. Random hours. But it was really simple to get my pass and now I'm so excited because everything for our fall break trip is coming together. :)

When I got back I went shopping with Marie because we needed some parachute pants for Kelly and Jacob's themed birthday outing. It was parachute pants for girls and lumberjack shirts for guys haha. I ended up getting zebra pants at h&m. I left the tag in them all night because I thought maybe I'd want to return them, but I actually got really attached to them and want to keep them. Totally going to rock this fashion in the US haha.

So Friday night was definitely one of my favorites. We all got dressed up and then walked through the rio to this bridge near where they were lighting off the fireworks. At midnight they started and it was literally the most incredible fireworks display I have ever seen. 4th of July has been ruined forever for me haha. It was a competition between 2 different firework professionals and they did things I've never seen before. I literally could've watched for hours.

After the fireworks we all left for New Orleans. The last time I was there it was basically empty, but it was pretty packed on Friday. Since it was Kelly's 21st birthday, she had all these funny tasks she had to complete like "convince 21 people you're famous and give them your autograph" and anytime someone wishes you happy birthday you have to say "can't touch this" (in honor of MC Hammer and parachute pants of course.) So after New Orleans we went to Fox Congo and hung out for a while. I obviously danced on the bench that we always form into a stage. The next place we went was Ghecko. After Ghecko a lot of people were feeling pretty done, but about 8 of us went to Pacha, a discoteca, afterwards around 4.

The 8 of us just danced for so long and I had such a fun time. I just love dancing in general though. Most people left around 6, but Jordan and I stayed until about 6:30. Our taxi driver (who also turned out to be the most creepy taxi driver on the face of the Earth) asked us why we were going home so early. Haha frickin Spain.

I only got to sleep from about 7 am until 11 because that's when we got up to see all of the Valencia Day festivities. The 9th of October is kind of like our 4th of July at home, but just for Valencia. So at 12 there was this parade and then there was a political riot. It was probably slightly dangerous, but it was so cool to see. The riot police were out and everything. It's kind of a long story, but basically Cataluna wants to separate from Spain and there's a small group of Valencians who think Valencia should split with them. So all of the other Valencians were basically throwing stuff at this one group and everyone was screaming at each other. It was intense.


Beginning of the riot

The next event didn't start until 2 so we went to "duffin dagels" after the parade. Duffin Dagels is the Dunkin Donuts of Spain and it's hilarious. Their donuts are so weird. It's basically the biggest ripoff ever haha. After that we made our way back to the main plaza for the daytime fireworks display. Now I know that sounds strange, but it was literally the craziest thing I have ever seen. Like I can't even really describe it, but it was definitely something they wouldn't allow to exist in the US. In the middle of this plaza they had all these strings of fireworks hanging and they would light a string and in a huge chain reaction they would blow up and shoot into the air. There were all these explosions and we were basically surrounded by smoke when it was all over. It was an amazing thing to see.


Haha


Smokey world


Remnants of the daytime fireworks after all the explosions

After that we went back to the study center and I took a nap for about an hour. At 5 there was another parade so we went back out to the plaza. This one was filled with tons of people dressed up in all sorts of traditional outfits and war costumes. There were also weird people dressed up as birds on stilts. Not really sure what they signified, but they were cool.

We all walked to this potato world restaurant that we love at 6:30, but turns out their kitchen didn't open until 8:30. Nonetheless we sat there and shared some pitchers of beer and sangria. I ended up leaving at 8 because Erin invited me to dinner with her parents, but I think 3 people managed to champ it out until 8:30.

Just after I got back to the study center, it began to pour. I've only seen rain one other time in Valencia thus far, so this was a pretty crazy sight. It was the kind of rain where it was just cascading down the steps of the towers and I imagine you could barely drive through it. The walk to the restaurant was rough and I was drenched by the time we all got there, but the food was good. It was a pretty fancy, expensive place where we wouldn't normally go on our own, so I'm glad I got to enjoy that despite the rain.

Luckily at about 10:30 when we were done eating, the rain had ended. I really wanted to go out when we got back to a disco or something since it's my last weekend in Valencia for 3 weeks, but nobody else wanted to go out. Lamesauce. But I probably needed to sleep anyway since I didn't the night before. So my Saturday night consisted of me reading my book and going to bed around 12:30.

So uneventful, but at least I'm feeling good today. I woke up at 10:30 and went and got a coffee and some toast from the cafe near us. This past weekend it was humid and probably still 80 degrees, at least on Friday. But I guess the storm last night brought in colder weather because I was actually quite chilly sitting outside. Time to break out my jacket for the first time since Amsterdam!

Feliz Domingo!

Bring it on weekend!

Ok so yesterday we walked around a ton in my Regional Studies class. First we went to the Belles Arts Museum and it was filled with gorgeous artwork. There was also this outdoor courtyard which I loved.


Here's me in the courtyard.

Then we walked to the Jardines Viveros, which is just this huge garden park. I'd been there once before on a run, but I'd never been to the next set of gardens, Los Jardines de Monforte. It was probably one of the prettiest locations I've ever been. We got to wander around for a while and I found a lovely quat for Phi Mu, so obviously I needed a picture.


Quat!


The pond in the garden

Then we went into the University of Valencia cafeteria and got coffee. Not long after we got back from class we went out to Montaditos. I always enjoy just hanging out with friends there and eating brie sandwiches. When everyone was leaving Jacob and I wandered around the city for like half an hour. I love exploring because it always ends up connecting places I know with other places that I know, but in different ways. Ok I'm making no sense haha. Oh well. The rest of the night I just hung out with Josh, Marie, Murt, and Jacob and it was really relaxing.

Today we watched Celda-211 in my Spanish film class (means Cell 211). It was a prison movie and I kept getting yelled at for not looking at the screen haha. It was seriously so violent/bloody in some parts I thought I was going to have to walk out haha. I am weak. I mean it won best picture in Spain last year though, so it was good. Just very intense.

Right now Maddie and I are at this place called Zume that has Wifi and is like a fruit juice/smoothie/tea bar. I may or may not be stalking the bartender. Haha he's so cute. Maddie and I are creepin. Contemplating ordering something else so he'll come talk to us. Love it.

Happy weekend!!! (Love no classes on Friday!)

Happy hump day!

Ok so recap time. Saturday I ended up just staying in. Lamesies, I know, but I was just tired and needed to catch up on my sleep. So Sunday was pretty productive. I got up and went out with Maddie, Caitlin, and Josh. There was this huge parade with gunshots and everything. I'm pretty sure the gunshots woke every person in our study center up because they were literally the loudest thing I have ever heard. Maybe I just always sleep in too late on Sunday and don't make it out, but I have never seen the plazas so packed with people. We wandered around trying to find restaurants that take our cheques, but the one I wanted to go to wasn't open.

I ended up just breaking away from them and getting a choco coco cupcake from Cupcake Valencia. It was deliccciouusss. I could definitely see myself being a regular customer there haha. I wandered around exploring a lot of parts of the city I had never been to before. I was just about to sit down and buy a coffee when I saw Caitlin, Josh, and Maddie sitting at a table nearby. So I sat with them and got an orange juice (Valencia oranges = heaven) while they ate lunch.



Afterwards I went back to the study center and worked on some homework. I can't exactly remember what I did that night but I guess it wasn't that exciting haha. I think I just sat out at Pan de Queso until it closed with Chris, Byron, and Monica. We meant to do homework, but ended up talking the entire time.

Monday I had my women in lit class and I borrowed El Orfanato from Nordlund so I could watch it again. I got so much more out of it the second time around. Haha probably because my hands weren't covering my face the whole time. That night we had a nice study sesh in the "bib" (normally I call the library the lib, but since we're in Spain, obvi it's the bib now... so clever right? haha). A bunch of us were all studying for our freaking history midterm. What a delight that was.

Tuesday I normally have Spanish business class, but instead we all went to Sagunto with the Archeology class. I had actually already been with one of my other classes, but I guess I can't complain about going to an ancient castle twice. We also got to see different things and hear about it from an archaeological point of view, which was cool. When I got back I crammed for my test and then took it from 3-4:30. It was kind of a pain, but I think I did fine. I was just exhausted today for some reason so I literally napped from 4:30-8:30. Haahaaa. Guess I needed it.


Sagunto: Round 2


Erin and I literally trying to not to cry from the sun entering our eyes at this angle

A lot of people were planning on going to TGIF for dinner, but Murt, Marie, and I ended up just going to a place nearby and getting paella and chicken. Then around 1 we went out to New Orleans for Monica's birthday. I ended up really enjoying myself. The bartender was so nice and asked us if we were FSU students. He gave us some champagne for her birthday and played us fun songs. Plus I got a pina colada, which is always my fave. We were the only ones there until these two Spanish guys came in. We made friends with them and they were super nice too. Hopefully we'll get to hang out with them again sometime.

I got back around 2:30 and got up this morning around 8 to go teach the kids at a nearby school English. I really really enjoyed it! My first hour was with 15 year olds and the teacher just sent me with 3 of them to a classroom and we got to talk. They didn't have anything prepared for me, so we just talked about whatever and their English was pretty good. My next hour was with 10 year olds and they had a list of questions to ask me. They were just so cute and interested in asking me everything. For example, do you like Spongebob? Do you like the Beatles? Do you like facebook? Then they asked me if I liked the Shakira Waka Waka song and they sang the whole thing for me haha. Loved it. I can't wait to go back next week!

Now I only have one class at 3 and then it's Montaditos Wednesdays! Best night of the week? I'm thinking yes.

Estas como una cabra!

So let's see. Thursday night we had our barbeque on the roof of our building. It was so cool up there! I hope we get to go up more often now. They made us hamburgers and hotdogs since we didn't have hot water in our building for a while. Then we went out to Max Max and Ryann and I got super lost on our way there. Haha we knew what bus to take, but got off at the wrong spot. But, no worries, getting lost was fun and we found our way eventually.

It was Maddie's friend Ray's last night in town before he headed back to Afganistan. Sooo he made a tab for every single one of us there and payed for our drinks. The bartender couldn't believe it haha. But he was so sweet and I always have fun at Max Max because we just take over and get to hang out with our whole group. I left with Graham around 2, so I didn't actually stay out too late.

We got up around 8 because we went to the Bejis Mountains for a hike. It was definitely one of my favorite places we've been. There were rocks to climb on and streams to cross, so obviously I was in my element haha. Alicia told me that "Estas como una cabra (literally meaning you're like a goat)" is an expression for someone who's crazy. So that's what she called me haha. We ate a picnic lunch after we made it through this incredible canyon like path. Ahhh I loved it! Alicia was also amazed by the fact that I knew the chicken dance in Spanish. We have chicken suit and Harry Potter to thank for that one.


Caitlin and I about to climb


This is why they called me crazy like a goat


Crossing the stream

After we made it back to where the bus was, we went to this "secret spot" which was this gorgeous, moss covered waterfall. I figured out how to get my pictures off my camera, so I'll definitely be using that a lot more! I'm excited about that at least.




We got back to Valencia around 4:30 and we ate Pan de Queso and I went to the grocery store. Thank goodness, I put that off long enough. I took a nap and then we went out to Fox Congo. I didn't feel like drinking, but I still wanted to go out, and I'm so happy I did. I just went to Fox Congo with everyone but I had such a fun time dancing with everyone. There's this bench that is meant for sitting, but we always take it over as a stage. Love it!

I ended up leaving at 2 because I just wanted to have a decent night's sleep. I slept in until 11:30 today and it felt glorious. Then Gill and I went shoe shopping because I've had to throw away 3 pairs since coming here. We just walk around so much that mine we falling apart or disgusting. So I got 3 amazing pairs of European shoes. Haha I love how different their shoes are here. Then we got lunch at this random little place on a street I'd never been, and I loved it.

I'm excited to see what tonight has in store for us!!!