Walking the Camino de Santiago
Deep within the vineyards of El Bierzo, the Camino passes a large field filled with sculpture. This photo only shows a small corner of it. Why this sculptor’s studio is literally on a Camino hillside far away from town is a mystery to me, but clearly it does save him on warehouse space. For those interested in his wares, bonus […]
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Though it was a Sunday, finding a Mass anywhere in Castilla y León has proved a challenge, even in the cathedral cities. Nevertheless, I did manage to do so as we were leaving town. The Way from Cacabelos eventually runs back into the El Bierzo vineyards. The day was beautiful, and the countryside filled with stunning views. Date: 24 April […]
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Morning walk along a roadway and we were starting to get warm, so we found a bench where we could take off our packs a moment and shed some layers. Nearby this sign warned motorists to keep an eye out for us. Date: 24 April 2016 Place: Leaving Cacabelos (Castilla y León, Spain) Today’s map, part 1:
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This is (to give its full name) the albergue de peregrinos municipal Santuario de la Quinta Angustia de Cacabelos. It consists of a semi-circle of cabins facing the central Santuario de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias. The church is most famous for containing an image that shows the baby Jesus playing cards. We stayed here back in 2013, and it […]
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No, I can’t explain it either. This bit of wall art in Cacabelos is just past the church as the Camino heads down a narrow medieval street. Perhaps it is meant to be a bit of syncretism? Or a progression either in time or in truth? Saint James leading the pagans? Who knows? Date: 24 April 2016 Place: Cacabelos (Castilla […]
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I took any number of photos in the rustic and charming parish church in Cacabelos (which you can see on my Flickr), but this is the most important. In the church, we ran into Anita again, and there was a reunion of the scattered pilgrims! This is one of my favourite photos of either Camino, and a copy of it […]
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The street winds through town, and we approach the parish church. Although I was unable to actually find a name for this church anywhere, the fact that its address is Number 1 Calle Santa María leads me to presume that it is the Iglesia Santa María something or another. Although it’s difficult to tell, the street is lined with small […]
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Across the street from Number 41, we saw our first pulpería of the Camino. And what, you may ask, is a pulpería? Why, it’s a place that serves pulpo, Galician-style boiled octopus tentacles snipped into bite-sized pieces and drizzled with oil and Spanish paprika. Normally, this is served with a cup bowl of chilled Ribeiro wine. It’s absolutely amazing. Once […]
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Another door! Here we catch the briefest view of the garden courtyard of Number 41 Calle Santa María, the street the Camino takes through the old central part of Cacabelos. This demonstrates exactly why I find liminal spaces so fascinating… you never know what lays beyond. Date: 24 April 2016 Place: Cacabelos (Castilla y León, Spain) Today’s map, part 1:
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