Day 25: Hiking My Camino de Santiago

August 13, 2018

Today I walked 18.90 miles from Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro. For the most part it was a steady incline with the last four miles being the hardest. Garmin says the total elevation gain was 2,966 feet. But it was worth it. The view in this photo is from O Cebreiro. And if I turned around and walked 50 yards in the other direction, I would see a stunning view of more mountains and valleys on the other side.

I walked alone for most of the walk today but had the privilege of walking with Katya from Russia for part it. She learned about the Camino about a year ago from a co-worker. I can’t remember where she was working (maybe London) but she wasn’t fulfilled in her work. She resigned and moved back to Russia. It turns she got a job with the same company doing something different. But she took three months off to travel and walk the Camino de Santiago. She didn’t stop for breakfast when I did, and unfortunately, I didn’t run into her again.

The last 2.5 miles I walked with Promise from the State of Washington. She is 21 years old and is planning to be a teacher. She has incorporated some study abroad programs into her education and had some interesting travels already this summer. She loves to travel and is already planning a trip for one semester and a summer that would take her through all 50 states. She started her Camino in Pamplona but had to take several days off due to a stomach virus. Therefore, to meet her travel deadlines she will take a bus to Sarria tomorrow and finish walking to Santiago from there.

I met Joerg from Germany while in O Cebreiro. We discussed the Swinging Botafumerio in the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. He confirmed they rarely swing it anymore so fewer and fewer pilgrims get to leave the Camino having seen it. I am hoping I get to see it but I know the odds are against it.

I had dinner with Kate from Hungary, Stuart from Ireland, Allande from France, Jade from Ireland, and Michael from Ireland. The last few days I have kept saying that that would be the last day I get to see them. Unfortunately, I think today may be the last since I am planning a short day tomorrow, and they need to walk a longer distance since they need to be in Santiago on Saturday.

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See additional photos from August 13th below:

1) A view of the trail

2) A pilgrim statue

3) A pilgrim statue?

4) A pilgrim statue

5) Village of Vega de Valcarce

6) Castillo de Sarracín

7) A view of the trail

8) A car in Vega de Valcarce

9) A view of the trail

10) A view of the trail

11) A view of the trail

12) A view of the trail

13) A view of the trail

14) A fresh marker

15) A view of the trail

16) A view from the trail

17) A view from the trail

18) A view of the trail

19) A view from the trail

20) A Galicia marker

21) A marker along the trail

22) A view of the trail

23) A view from the trail

24) The church in O Cebreiro

25) A statue of St. James

26) Church in O Cebreiro

27) Pilgrim sculpture

28) Pilgrim sculpture

Brief descriptions of the photos:

1. This is part of the trail which is in the village of Trabadelo.

2. This is a pilgrim statue in the village of La Portela de Valcarce.

3. I am guessing this is a type of pilgrim statue but I don't see a scallop shell that is normal on most pilgrim statues.

4. I am guessing this is a type of pilgrim statue but I don't see a scallop shell that is normal on most pilgrim statues. But it does have the gourd water container that is common to old pilgrim statues.

5. This is a church in the village of Vega de Valcarce.

6. This is the ruins of a 9th century castle outside the village of Vega de Valcarce. The castle is called Castillo de Sarracín.

7. This is a road that was part of the trail I walked today through the village of Vega de Valcarce.

8. I couldn't resist capturing a photo of this old car driving through the village of Vega de Valcarce.

9. This is an image to the left of the trail upon which I was walking.

10. This is part of the trail I walked today.

11. This is part of the trail I walked today.

12. This is part of the trail I walked today.

13. This is part of the trail I walked today.

14. As you have seen, the trail is marked with arrows or symbols to communicate to a pilgrim they are on the trail and which direction to go. This is an arrow made from horse shit. When I first saw it and told myself it wasn't necessary since it is impossible to venture off the trail. I kept walking and then went back to get a photo. I chuckled that someone would actually take the time to touch the horse shit to place it in the image of an arrow. I hope your sense of humor allows you to enjoy this as much as I did.

15. This is part of the trail I walked today.

16. This is a view to the left of the trail.

17. This is a view to the left of the trail.

18. This is part of the trail I walked today.

19. This is a view to the left of the trail.

20. This is a marker indicating I am entering the region of Galicia.

21. This is a marker indicating I am 160.948 kilometers from Santiago de Compostela.

22. This is the trail just outside of O Cebreiro.

23. This is a view to the left of the trail O Cebreiro is to my right.

24. This is inside the small church in the village of O Cebreiro.

25. Here is an image of St. James in the church in O Cebreiro.

26. Here is the church in O Cebreiro.

27. This is another pilgrim sculpture in O Cebreiro.

28. This ia small pilgrim sculpture outside of a cafe in O Cebreiro.