Annie's Simple Life

Pilgrims from 1954 and 1965

2012-02-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

I received this photograph today on my Facebook page. It was posted by Camino Xacobeo, and following the post, several people submitted more information. I really love these old photos and thought you might enjoy seeing what pilgrims looked like in earlier times. I was 2 years old when this photo was taken. This is a group of pilgrims arriving in Santiago after walking the Camino Francés in

amaWalkers USA has a NEW WEBSITE

2012-01-28T22:29:00.000-08:00

After learning that Submission Forms were not being forwardedfrom the original amaWalkers website,and the techs couldn't figure out what was causing the problem,I decided to move our website! I've added a lot of new photos. Here is the address; drop by and take a look! www.anniecarvalho.weebly.com Annie

Eunate and Puente de la Reina

2012-01-22T15:04:00.000-08:00

Leaving Pamplona, we walk through Cizur Menor and up over the Alto del Perdon, where hundreds of pilgrims like ourselves have taken the obligatory photograph of themselves alongside the wonderful wrought iron sculpture of medieval pilgrims, heads bent into the wind. Coming down the other side of the 790 m hill puts us in Uterga, where there is the smallest albergue I know of. One room houses

What to See in Pamplona

2012-01-16T09:02:00.000-08:00

I’ve already done a blog on Pamplona, but I thought you might enjoy a short history and a list of things to see. I’ve garnered all of this information from the internet. History of Pamplona in a Nutshell 1 B.C. - A general named Pompeyo created the city of Pompeyo, a political and religious center for the Roman empire. 714 A.D. - The Moors tried to take control of the city without success.

Zubiri - Town of the Bridge

2012-01-15T10:59:00.000-08:00

El Puente de la Rabia In Basque, the word “zubi” means “bridge.,” To me, the most interesting thing about Zubiri’s history is the Gothic bridge there, El Puente de la Rabia, which is famous for its folkloric ability to cure cattle of rabies. To protect your cows from rabies,you must walk them 3 timesaround the bridge's central pillar.That pillar is said to contain the relics of Saint

Next Stop: Burguete

2012-01-06T08:20:00.000-08:00

Burguete ("Burguete" in Castilian, "Auritz" in Basque) is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. Ernest Hemingway stayed in Burguete in 1924 and 1925 for a fishing trip to the Irati River.He describes it in his novel The Sun Also Rises. “As we came to the edge of the rise we saw the red roofs and white houses of Burguete ahead...”

Roland and the Battle of Roncesvalles

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

One of the stories you'll hear along the Camino is about Roland and the Battle of Roncesvalles. The Pass of Roncesvalles is the traditional site of the Battle of Roncesvalles fought Aug. 15, 778. During this famous battle, the Basques ambushed and totally wiped out the rear guard of the Frankish army as they were returning across the mountains to Aquitaine after Charlemagne, campaigning

Valley of Thorns: Roncesvalles

2012-01-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

The walk up and over the Pyrenees is nothing less than breath taking. The Virgin of Orisson watches over the landscape and blesses the pilgrims as they pass. In return, the pilgrims leave gifts and requestsin the nooks and crannies at her feet. Griffon vultures soar in deep valleys below you.It's an upside down, strange feeling to see birds below rather than above. They share the air with

Just "Be!"

2011-12-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

It's important that you walk YOUR Camino, so my suggestions are only that... suggestions. That said, I encourage you not to make it a race for a bed. Go slow and enjoy the beauty all around you. This is an opportunity of a lifetime! Many people find the Camino gives them the chance to lighten their load by experiencing how very little in the way of possessions it takes to bring happiness; to

St. Jean Pied de Port

2011-12-29T10:38:00.000-08:00

I would like to begin a series of blogs on the villages we will walk through on our May/June Camino trip. The Camino is so rich in history, art, and architecture, and a quick overview of the route and its villages will give your walk more meaning. I had a heck of a time finding much history on St. Jean Pied de Port. Most websites I found referred back to Francis Miltoun’s book,Castles and

Hiking in the Rain

2011-12-16T07:38:00.000-08:00

A pause for the cause. I know I sound like a commercial.And no, I do not get a kickback for each one sold.I just love, love, LOVE this poncho! Does this look familiar?Trust me, it's not comfortable at all.The solution?An Altus Poncho. A few amaWalkers in their Altus Ponchos Bridget and Peter wearing their ALTUS The Buchaneers ALTUS up! The coverage is amazing, your pack and your body

The Aragones Route - Ruesta to Sanguesa to Monreal

2011-12-16T06:57:00.000-08:00

On October 15, I walked 21 kilometers so Sanguesa. I walked alone. The French couple and Andrew, the American man were sleeping in and waiting for breakfast.I was anxious to get on the trail. It was a beautiful misty morning as I walked through the ruins,over the old bridge spanning the river, and past a campground. A deep rumbling snore broke the silence.One lonely tent, bright orange, was

The Aragones Route - Arres to Ruesta

2011-12-10T14:53:00.000-08:00

On the morning of October 14, I left at dawn.Looking back over my shoulder at the village of Arreswas like looking back through time with the old stone buildingssitting like jewels on the top of the hill. Photo by Journeyman13 One of my favorite times to walk is dawn. Watching the sun rise over the mountains in the still of the morning is healing to me. I stopped off at the bar on my way out

Dinner on the Camino Santiago - Eastern Spain

2011-12-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd digress from my Aragones trek for a day or twoand talk to you about what you might expect in the way of dinner options while walking the Camino Santiago in Eastern Spain. For us walking the Camino Frances, that is mostly Navarra. But the foods of Cataluña and Aragón can also be seen at the beginning of the Camino.Probably because of my Portuguese ancestry, the cuisine of Spain is

The Aragones Route - Sta Celia to Arres

2011-11-29T16:09:00.000-08:00

Note: Remember, I did not have my cameraso photos have been borrowed from the internet.I've tried to give credit when I know the photographer's name.* * * 13 October 2009 What a beautiful morning!The little white lambs were still in the pasture below my balcony window,the sun was shining,and the pilgrims were up and rustling around. I got up, got dressed, and packed my mochila. I was in a really

The Aragones Route - Jaca to Santa Celia

2011-11-25T10:34:00.000-08:00

Photo by David Foster Loretta and I had decided to at least begin our walk together. When you are walking the Camino on any route, there is an unspoken rule that each person must walk their own Camino. What this means is you might walk with a group, or you might walk alone. You might start with a walking partner, but one of you may want to go faster or slower, and it's okay to do this at your

The Aragones Route - Starting in Jaca

2011-11-22T19:26:00.000-08:00

Saturday October 10, 2009 After making the decision to walk a portion of the Aragones Route, I took the train from Sahagun to Pamplona.It was a Saturday. I left Sahagun at 13:43 and arrived in Pamplona at 17:08The cost was 31.10 Euros I bought lunch at the grocery store by the train station. I paid 5.25 Euros for bread, cheese, yogurt, a banana, and a bottle of water. Spendy there, thought I. I

The (Wrong) Train to Vigo: Annie's Big Adventure

2011-11-13T12:22:00.000-08:00

Toward the end of September in 2009, while walking in Spain,I caught a nasty flu. The weather in Santiago was cold and wet, and so I decided to take a short vacation in Rome, where the sun was shining and the weather was still warm. Photo by Key to Italy I found an inexpensive place to stay near Rome called Tiber Camping. The ad stated, "Situated just outside Prima Porta, on the banks of Rome's

8 Days on the Via de la Plata - Monesterio to Fuente de Cantos

2011-11-09T11:41:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful morning. Our guidebook mentioned a dolmen, and we managed to find it, despite it being sunken into the ground and hidden behind a stand of trees. Sunken Dolmen Watch for this "hill" and trees Then came more of the same landscape; dry, crispy, but pretty in its own way. For those wanting to walk the Camino Frances, please don't be put off by the dry landscape. The

8 Days on the Via de la Plata - DAY 6 - El Real de la Jara to Monesterio

2011-11-06T10:15:00.000-08:00

August 28 Friday We began, as usual, in the wee hours. The castle on the hill was such a beautigul sight,with the light of the rising sun behind it. Soon, we could once again see the familiar landscape.After a while, we came across this chapel,lying in ruins.What a shame.It seemed like it may have been a lovely placein the past.I wish someone would take it overand refurbish it.It could be a

8 Days on the Via de la Plata - DAY 5 - Almadén to El Real de la Jara

2011-11-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

August 27 Thursday Once again, we left town just as the sun began to rise. It was cool and the walking was lovely,but once we got into the forest, it was very, very dark. I could hear sounds all around me, grunts in the dark, spooky sounds. What was watching me? I took out my camera and aimed into the blackness. A flash went off as I took the photo. This is what my camera showed:There they were

8 Days on the Via de la Plata - DAY 4 - Forestal to Almadén

2011-11-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

August 26 Wednesday The familiar yellow arrows can be seen all along the Via de la Plata,but other more permanent waymarks are also found. Above is one we passed while walking in the cork oak forest. The morning walking was comfortably cool, on a nice dirt road. The trees were loaded with acorns, just waiting to drop and be eaten by those wild pigs! See the acorns? We passed what appeared

8 Days on the Via de la Plata - DAY 3 - Castilblanco to Casa Forestal

2011-11-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

The morning was beautiful! August 25 Tuesday We left Castilblanco in the dark.The sunrise was beautiful and walking was nice in the cool morning air.Looking back at Castilblanco,we could see lights coming on as people woke up and began their day. Looking back at Castilblanco Much of this day (the first half) was road walking.We did not see much traffic, maybe 2 or 3 cars the entire morning.The

8 Days on the Via de la Plata - DAY 2 - Guillena to Castilblanco

2011-11-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

August 24 Monday We began walking in the dark, hoping to beat the heat. When the sun began peeking over the flat landscape, it was beautiful,but we knew the heat would soon follow. Here on this stretch of the Via de la Platais where my second Camino miracle happenedin the shape of a little black and white mutt. I was carrying the prayers of many friends back home. One in particular had lost his

8 Days on the Via de la Plata - DAY 1 - Miracle 1

2011-11-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

Those of you who've followed my blog for a while have heard this story. A few months ago, my blog was somehow compromised and I lost many pages, so please forgive me as I post this again for those who have not read it. This story appears in Sylvia Nilsen's book YOUR CAMINO and is one of the many Camino miracles I experienced while on one route or another of The Way.The Miracle of the Abanico (Fan

Siesta on the Camino Santiago

2011-11-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

The word siesta comes from the Latin hora sexta – "the sixth hour." If you count from dawn, the sixth hour is noon. Many societies that celebrate the siesta were agricultural, and in cultures dominated by agriculture it was common to have the largest meal of the day in the early afternoon. I grew up in the hot San Joaquin Valley. I was reared by my grandfather, a farmer. At the height of

8 Days on the Via de la Plata - DAY 1 - Sevilla to Italica to Guillena

2011-10-31T17:10:00.000-07:00

August 23 - Sunday This morning we walked to the bus station and caught an early bus to the Roman ruins at Italica. We made this decision based on our desire to bypass walking through the industrial area between Seville and Italica. It was a good decision for us! Another option would be to see Italica before you begin the Via de la Plata. A person could visit Italica in the morning, then go to

8 Days on the Via de la Plata: Sevilla

2011-10-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

Joe making reference to San Roque If you don't know who San Roque is,read my blog on the "guy with the big-lipped dog." The name of the street our hotel was on was Calle San Roque. It was an interesting street, and you could see where people had incorporated some of the old Roman ruins into their buildings.We spent the next two days in Sevilla, seeing the sights and securing our Pilgrim

8 Days on the Via de la Plata: Santiago to Sevilla

2011-10-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

Somewhere along the way, my blog posts on the VDLP have been deleted.Not sure how it happened or why,but I wanted to repost the informationsince it might be helpful to others wanting to make this Camino. The Vía de la Plata is a pilgrimage route also called the Camino Mozárabe. The name is said by Alison Raju to come from a corruption of the Arabaic bal'latta, used to describe wide, paved, or

More About your Camino Santiago Packing List

2011-10-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

I posted the main portion of my packing list for the Camino Santiago earlier this year. Search the sidebar for the link. There are probably as many versions of the Camino packing list as there are pilgrims. What you take depends, of course, on what time of year you travel, whether you will be staying in pilgrim hostals or booking private lodging, and whether or not you will be carrying your

Camping along the Camino Santiago de Compostela

2011-10-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

When I consult with people planning to walk the Camino Santiago de Compostela, one of the most common questions I get is,"Where will I sleep?" Each pilgrim has their own private needs, and depending on those, there is something for everyone. The next few posts will be about some of the types of accommodation you might find along The Way. Today we'll talk about Camping. Camping out on the Camino

amaWalkers Camino Santiago Tour - FAQS

2011-10-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

People are often curious about amaWalkers Camino Santiago trips. Following are answers to some of the questions people most often ask. What do you mean by 'Best of Both'? There are many different ways to undertake a pilgrimage to Santiago. You can go by car or other transport; you can walk parts of the way with a back-up vehicle and have your luggage transported between overnight

Dawn of the Virgin of Cuevas

2011-10-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

On the Camino Santiago, one of the options for sleeping is called a parochial. This is a place to sleep in or near a Catholic Church. It is a wonderful experience and I recommend everyone try it at least once. The lodging is usually quite simple. It is always Donativo - you pay a donation that feels comfortable for you. A good standard is 5 Euro. You are fed at a community family-style table

Pass the (Waldorf Felted) Potatoes, Please?

2011-10-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

Felt play food is at a premium this year.Children love to pretend they're cooking.Both boys and girls will love a gift of felt food for their play kitchen.The added bonus is that it is hand crafted and can often be found "made locally." Here are some of the felt foods I've made this year. Most of the photos are mine. Some are the work of other admired felt artists.All are wonderful examples of

Ten Etiquette Rules for Everyone (Pilgrims Included)!

2011-09-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning out some old files today and ran across this list of 10 etiquette rules for children by Dr. M.E. Waters. I'm not sure where I got them, but they are quite good! I sure do remember being taught these rules -- today's children might be better off if someone took time to teach them also! Although these rules apply to children,they are a great reminder to the rest of us! Do you follow

Fall is in the Air!

2011-09-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

I'm in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley visiting my mother and Fall is in the air!I woke up this morning and it was actually chilly!I looked at the calendar and realized that Fall Equinox came and wentand I didn't even notice.Wow!The years are flying by.Does this happen to everyone as we age? I love the Fall here!Having morning coffee out on the porch with mom has been a real joy!You can see

Summertime Peaches

2011-09-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

This week, I took a trip to a farm near one of the places I lived as a child.They have a wonderful fruit stand there and mom decided to buy a lug of peaches. She wanted to can them. What is a lug? A lug is not quite a bushel but it is the size of which most produce is delivered to markets these days. They weigh about 31 to 33 pounds. A bushel weighs 33 to 38 pounds.I have sweet memories of

Walk the Camino With Broken Ribs?

2011-09-10T06:42:00.000-07:00

Remember I told you about breaking my ribs? Two weeks ago today, I went camping with my friends and family. We had a great time and a lot of fun catching crawdads in the river! On the way up to the bank on the last day, I slipped and fell, hitting my ribcage on a pyramid shaped rock, knocking the breathe out of me.I sat there in the cold shallow water for a few minutes, struggling to breathe,

A Missing Pilgrim

2011-09-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

I received this in my email today. I'm hoping this pilgrim simply lost track of the time or was unable to find a computer. He has not been heard from since August 27 and his family is concerned. If you see him on the road, please tell him to contact his family immediately. If you have information about him, please contact casaperegrina@yahoo.es

The Camino Santiago: A Typical Day

2011-08-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

Before actually walking the Camino, some people have interesting ideas about living life as a pilgrim. One of the most interesting was a woman who told me she planned on introducing herself to the Basque witches when she arrived and fully expected to be invited to midnight rituals in secret caves along the Way. I'm pretty sure that didn't pan out for her - the "real" Basque witches most likely

Catching Up on the News

2011-08-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time camping with my family and friends last weekend. The campground was on the river and we spend much of Saturday fishing for crawdads. The rocks were slippery and toward evening I fell and came down HARD on two rocks. Hit my butt first, then a pyramid shaped rock slammed into my ribs under my right arm. I haven't had the breath knocked out of me since 5th grade. It was NOT

Doing Laundry On The Camino

2011-08-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

When I was a girl, washing the clothes was considered women's work, and had been throughout much of history. Laundry day wasn't fun, but it also wasn't boring. It was often done alongside other women, and the work was made more pleasant by the sharing of stories and gossip. In some places along the Camino, you can see large clothes washing troughs, usually under cover, where women still gather to

Lunch on the Camino Santiago

2011-08-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

For me, el almuerzo (lunch) on the Camino is almost always a picnic.Simple and very inexpensive.It's nice to know you'll have lunch even if you can't find a bar on the road.The following items will keep for days, and are easy to carry in your backpack.Pick and choose what suits your taste. The first stop in any village for me is the Panaderia or Bakery.The above sign is clear, but remember, the

Looking for a Flecha Amarilla

2011-08-16T06:18:00.000-07:00

It's 5 am, and I woke up depressed.I'm not sure why.My life is not so bad.In fact, I'm blessed in many ways.* But I feel... disconnected today.My ex has disappeared from Facebook,and I'm worried.I can't call.It wouldn't be right. * "Why do you care?" my sons ask.I suppose the answer is,"Because he's the last person I remembertruly and completely loving me."* What has our world becomewhen people

Eating on the Camino Santiago - Coffee and Desayuno

2011-08-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

Desayuno, or breakfast, is often the second thing on a pilgrim's mind each day. And unless you are staying at a Paradoror have a bottomless pocket,the breakfast shown abovewill be something a Pilgrim only dreams about! If you are like me, by morning, you've already scoped out the closest bar and know exactly how long you'll have to walk for that first cup of COFFEE! It is said the first Spaniard

Art along The Camino Santiago de Compostela

2011-08-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

I've been to the Louvre and to the British Museum.I've seen the Guggenheim. I've visited the Vatican Museum, Naples, and Pompeii. They are, of course, spectacular! However, some of the sweetest art I've seen anywhere has been in the tiny churches and wonderful museums along the various routes of the Camino Santiago. There is treasure to be found each step of The Way! This will be a photo essay of

All about Tapas and Pinchos

2011-08-13T11:12:00.000-07:00

Future pilgrims often ask me, "What do you eat while on pilgrimage?" Well, the answer for me is, "Anything they serve in Spain!" The food there is SO good, so tasty, so healthy, I'm amazed that I lost 20 pounds on my last Camino. Tomorrow I'll post about finding breakfast and the Pilgrim's Plate. But today, I'd like to tell you a little about what I have learned about another wonderful option

There's More To Pamplona Than Bulls!

2011-08-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

Pilgrims often rush through Pamplona, hurried to get a bed on the next stage of their pilgrimage. Also known as Iruña, this old fortress city is said to have been founded by the Roman general Pompey. In the 9th century it became the capital of Navarra. May I suggest you take a day of rest here; a day to explore this wonderful city?There is much to see and do here. The walk into the city is

A Grape Harvest Festival in Azofra Spain

2011-08-06T22:58:00.000-07:00

On a dusty and hot September day,a group of weary pilgrimsstrolled into the tiny village of Azofra to a curious sight. People were carrying their kitchen tablesout of their houses and into the streets! There was an unmistakable air of expectation.Something was about to happen!We checked into the refugioand asked another pilgrim,"What is going on?"She didn't know. Leaving our mochilas on our bed (

My New Swim Dress

2011-08-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

Hooray! The weather in Portland is finally hot enough to go swimming! That's the good news. The bad news is that the expensive Hydrochic suit I bought last year to protect me from the sun gave up the ghost.I guess the minerals in the desert hot springsweren't good for the fabric. That suit was oober-expensive! I think I paid well over $100 for it. I don't have that kind of cash laying around

Home Made Caesar Salad - Number 5!

2011-07-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh, I'm in HEAVEN! Today, my son Rob taught me how to make homemade Caesar Salad.My favorite!You just can't get the same taste from a bottle! Here is the recipe and instructions in case you'd like to try it! You will need the following ingredients: 1 fresh egg yolk 1 clove garlic, minced very finely or grated. Rob used a microplane zester for this. It really shredded the garlic clove into

Building the CarBed in the Mercury

2011-07-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent the afternoon directing Joe as he built the carbed in my Mercury Tracer. Having taken out the front passenger seat last week, I wanted to build a bed that would have storage underneath to carry my felting supplies, and that would be accessible, but not necessarily READILY accessible. This is where I'll store fiber and tools that I only need to get to once a week or when I'm

Salad #4: Thai Slad with Peanut Sauce

2011-07-18T07:17:00.000-07:00